Root rot – mycolab.ai

Roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in plant growth and disease management for sustainable agriculture

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial fungi that live in plant roots and form a mutually beneficial relationship with plants. These fungi help plants absorb more nutrients and water from the soil, strengthen their natural defenses against diseases and pests, and work together with other helpful soil bacteria to create disease-suppressive soil. This makes AMF a promising natural alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.

Valorization of Quercus suber L. Bark as a Source of Phytochemicals with Antimicrobial Activity against Apple Tree Diseases

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This research shows that waste cork from bottle stopper production contains natural compounds with strong antimicrobial properties. When combined with chitosan oligomers, these cork extracts effectively inhibit fungal and bacterial pathogens that damage apple trees. The natural antimicrobial activity was even more potent than some commercial synthetic fungicides, suggesting cork waste could provide an environmentally sustainable alternative for protecting fruit crops.

Pathogen Identification, Antagonistic Microbe Screening, and Biocontrol Strategies for Aconitum carmichaelii Root Rot

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Aconitum carmichaelii is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant that has become increasingly prone to root rot disease due to continuous farming in Yunnan. Researchers identified multiple disease-causing pathogens and discovered that beneficial bacteria called Bacillus can both fight these pathogens and improve plant health. One particularly effective strain enhanced soil quality and increased the plant’s natural defenses, achieving over 50% disease control without chemical pesticides.

Rhizoctonia solani causes okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) seedling damping-off in South China with biological characterization and fungicide sensitivity profiling

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Researchers identified Rhizoctonia solani as the fungus causing a serious disease in okra seedlings in southern China that was destroying about 35% of crops. The fungus dies when exposed to high temperatures (45-48°C) and grows best at about 28°C. Among seven tested antifungal treatments, a combination of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole was most effective at controlling the pathogen, providing farmers with practical strategies for managing this crop disease.

Pest categorisation of Fusarium pseudograminearum

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Fusarium pseudograminearum is a harmful fungus that infects cereal crops like wheat and barley, causing crown rot and head blight diseases that reduce crop yields and contaminate grain with toxic compounds. The fungus is already present in parts of southern Europe but is not widely distributed in the EU. Scientists evaluated whether this pathogen should be classified as a quarantine pest requiring strict import controls to prevent its spread across Europe.

Chitosan-mediated copper nanohybrid attenuates the virulence of a necrotrophic fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina

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Researchers developed tiny copper particles coated with chitosan (a natural compound from shellfish) that effectively kill a destructive fungus called Macrophomina phaseolina, which damages hundreds of plant species worldwide. When used at the right concentration, these nanoparticles completely stopped the fungus from growing while causing minimal damage to plants. This innovation offers a promising natural alternative to traditional chemical fungicides for protecting crops while being more environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Pest categorisation of Pestalotiopsis microspora

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Pestalotiopsis microspora is a fungus that causes diseases on many cultivated and wild plants including avocado, banana, and kiwi fruit. It has been found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide and was recently detected in the Netherlands. The fungus can enter the EU through infected plants, fruits, and contaminated soil from other countries. European scientists have determined it meets criteria to be classified as a quarantine pest requiring special phytosanitary measures to prevent its introduction.

Microbial-mediated induced resistance: interactive effects for improving crop health

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This research explores how beneficial microbes like Trichoderma fungi and Bacillus bacteria can help plants naturally defend themselves against diseases. These microbes trigger the plant’s built-in immune system through chemical signals and molecular processes similar to how our immune system responds to threats. The approach offers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting crops, though effectiveness varies depending on environmental conditions.

An implementation framework for evaluating the biocidal potential of essential oils in controlling Fusarium wilt in spinach: from in vitro to in planta

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Researchers tested four common essential oils (thyme, oregano, marjoram, and tea tree) to see if they could stop a dangerous fungal disease in spinach plants. They found that thyme and oregano oils worked best at killing the fungus in laboratory tests and when applied to spinach seeds in the greenhouse, with thyme oil reducing disease by over half without harming the plants.

Pathogen identification and biological fungicides screening for Plumbago auriculata blight in China

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A newly identified fungal disease caused by Fusarium ipomoeae is harming Plumbago auriculata plants in China. Scientists identified the pathogen using genetic analysis and tested seven plant-based treatments. They found that osthole, a natural compound, effectively controls the disease with 88% success rate, offering an environmentally friendly solution for protecting ornamental plants.

Disease: Root rot