Disease: Fusarium head blight

Inhibition of RNase to Attenuate Fungal-Manipulated Rhizosphere Microbiome and Diseases

A fungal pathogen that causes root rot in soybeans and other crops uses a toxic protein called Fg12 to kill beneficial bacteria in the soil that would otherwise protect plants. Scientists discovered that guanosine monophosphate (GMP), a simple chemical compound, can block this toxic protein. When applied to soil, GMP protects plants by allowing beneficial bacteria to survive and fight the fungal infection.

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Impact of Various Essential Oils on the Development of Pathogens of the Fusarium Genus and on Health and Germination Parameters of Winter Wheat and Maize

Researchers tested whether essential oils from common herbs like thyme, sage, and cumin could protect wheat and corn seeds from fungal diseases. Thyme oil worked best at killing the harmful fungi, but it also slowed down seed sprouting. The study suggests these natural oils could replace chemical fungicides in farming, though farmers need to carefully choose which oil and how much to use.

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Comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms conferring resistance to phenamacril in the Fusarium species

Fusarium fungi cause serious diseases in crops like wheat, rice, and vegetables worldwide, leading to significant food losses and contamination with harmful toxins. Phenamacril is a modern fungicide designed to fight these fungi by targeting a specific protein called myosin-5. However, the fungi have developed resistance to this fungicide through genetic changes and other mechanisms, making it less effective over time. Farmers need to use multiple strategies including crop rotation and resistant plant varieties rather than relying only on fungicides to successfully manage these diseases.

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Functional diversification of epidithiodiketopiperazine methylation and oxidation towards pathogenic fungi

This research shows that Trichoderma hypoxylon, a beneficial fungus used in agriculture, produces different versions of antifungal compounds called epidithiodiketopiperazines (ETPs) to fight various harmful fungi. By deleting genes responsible for modifying these compounds, scientists found that different modifications work better against different pathogens—some modifications are more effective against mold fungi while others work better against grain pathogens. This demonstrates that the fungus uses chemical diversity as a strategy to protect crops from multiple threats.

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Inhibition of RNase to Attenuate Fungal-Manipulated Rhizosphere Microbiome and Diseases

Fusarium fungi cause devastating crop diseases by producing a protein called Fg12 that acts like a molecular weapon to kill beneficial bacteria in the soil around plant roots. Scientists discovered that a simple compound called GMP can block this fungal weapon, preventing the pathogen from suppressing protective bacteria. By treating seeds or soil with GMP, farmers can significantly reduce root rot in soybeans and alfalfa while promoting plant growth.

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The effects of biotic stress on the sexual reproduction process of flowering plants

When plants get sick from fungal, bacterial, or viral infections or are eaten by insects and parasites, their ability to produce flowers, seeds, and fruits is severely affected. Different pathogens use different tricks to damage reproduction—some speed up flowering to take advantage of the plant quickly, while others slow it down or destroy floral structures directly. Understanding how these pathogens attack plant reproduction helps farmers protect their crops and maintain food production.

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