Disease: stem canker

Intraspecies sequence-graph analysis of the Phytophthora theobromicola genome reveals a dynamic structure and variable effector repertoires

Researchers sequenced the genome of Phytophthora theobromicola, a newly discovered fungal pathogen that causes serious cacao plant disease. They found the pathogen’s genome is highly variable among different isolates and contains many genes that help it attack cacao plants. By studying which of these harmful genes are active during infection, they identified specific virulence factors unique to this cacao pathogen that could be important targets for future disease control strategies.

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Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Lasiodiplodia theobromae Causing Stem Gummosis Disease in Rubber Trees and Its Chemical Control Strategies

Rubber trees in China experienced a serious stem gummosis disease that caused bark cracking and latex leakage in 2023. Scientists identified the fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae as the cause through laboratory and molecular tests. They successfully treated the disease using a combination of copper-based fungicides applied to tree trunks and roots, preventing further damage to the trees.

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Mycoviruses: Antagonistic Potential, Fungal Pathogenesis, and Their Interaction with Rhizoctonia solani

This comprehensive review explores how viruses that infect fungi, called mycoviruses, could help farmers control rice diseases. Rice sheath blight caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani causes significant crop losses worldwide. Scientists have discovered that certain mycoviruses can weaken this pathogenic fungus, making them promising biological alternatives to chemical fungicides that can harm the environment and encourage disease resistance.

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Three New Records of Pathogens Causing Stem Blight on Vaccinium corymbosum in China

Researchers in China identified three new fungal species causing stem blight disease in blueberry crops. These fungi infect blueberry stems, causing brown lesions that kill the shoots and leaves. Laboratory tests confirmed all three fungi can cause the disease, with one species being particularly aggressive. This research helps farmers understand and manage this economically important disease that damages 10-25% of China’s blueberry crops.

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Complete genome sequence of Diaporthe vaccinii Shear, a fungal isolated from blueberry

Scientists sequenced the complete genetic blueprint of Diaporthe vaccinii, a harmful fungus that damages blueberry plants and costs farmers significant money. Using advanced DNA sequencing technology, they assembled a high-quality genetic map of the fungus to better understand how it causes disease. This genetic information could help researchers develop better ways to protect blueberry crops from this destructive pathogen.

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Complete genome sequence of Diaporthe vaccinii Shear, a fungal isolated from blueberry

Scientists have sequenced the complete genetic blueprint of a fungus called Diaporthe vaccinii that causes serious disease in blueberry plants. Using advanced DNA sequencing technology, they created a high-quality map of the fungus’s 60.2 million base pair genome. This genetic information will help researchers understand how the fungus causes disease and potentially develop better ways to protect blueberry crops from this costly plant pathogen.

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Volatile Metabolome and Transcriptomic Analysis of Kosakonia cowanii Ch1 During Competitive Interaction with Sclerotium rolfsii Reveals New Biocontrol Insights

This research demonstrates how a beneficial bacterium called Kosakonia cowanii Ch1 can fight a harmful fungus that damages crops. The bacterium produces volatile chemicals that inhibit fungal growth and shows different gene activity depending on whether these chemicals are present. When the beneficial bacteria and fungus compete together with the volatiles present, the bacteria win by producing gas bubbles and effectively stopping the fungus. These findings suggest a natural alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting crops.

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