Bioactive Compounds Produced by Biocontrol Agents Driving Plant Health

In nature, biocontrol of particular organisms by certain microbial agents depends essentially on competition for space and resources. Microbial metabolism provides a large number of bioactive compounds that can be used in control of plant diseases, mainly produced by insects, nematodes, viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Bioprospecting for microbial bioactive compounds from biocontrol agents is one of the alternatives currently being studied for plant protection, especially in species of agronomic importance. Here, we review several biological compounds and how, in general, they were discovered and have been used to improve plant health.