Research Keyword: disease management

Isolation and identification of antagonistic fungi for biocontrol of Impatiens hawkeri leaf spot disease and their growth-promoting potential

Researchers discovered a beneficial fungus called Fusarium solani that prevents leaf spot disease in ornamental Impatiens hawkeri plants. This fungus not only fights the disease-causing pathogen but also promotes seed germination and plant growth. The findings suggest this fungus could replace harmful chemical pesticides while simultaneously acting as a natural fertilizer, benefiting both plant health and the environment.

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Accessory Chromosome Contributes to Virulence of Banana Infecting Fusarium oxysporum Tropical Race 4

Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 is a devastating fungal disease that destroys banana crops worldwide, particularly the commercially important Cavendish variety. Researchers discovered that this fungus carries a special accessory chromosome that is not essential for basic fungal survival but is critical for its ability to infect and damage banana plants. By removing this chromosome in laboratory studies, scientists found that infected bananas suffered significantly less damage, suggesting that understanding this chromosome could lead to better strategies for protecting banana crops from this destructive disease.

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The Heterogeneity of Ornamental Plants in Nurseries Increases the Chance of Finding New Hosts for Phytophthora

Ornamental plant nurseries in Mexico are frequently affected by Phytophthora pathogens that cause rotting, wilting, and dieback in flowers and ornamental plants. This study identified seven different Phytophthora species infecting 13 types of ornamental plants in Mexican nurseries, including two species never before reported as hosts for the pathogen anywhere in the world. The diversity of plants grown together in nurseries increases the likelihood that the pathogen will spread to new host plants and escape to home gardens and natural ecosystems.

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Cytophysiological manifestations of wheat’s defense reactions against stem rust induced by the biofungicide Novochizol

Novochizol, a new type of chitosan-based treatment, helps wheat plants defend themselves against stem rust by triggering natural immune responses. When wheat seedlings are treated with Novochizol four days before rust infection, the plants accumulate protective molecules like hydrogen peroxide and phenolic compounds that kill many of the rust fungus colonies before they can spread. This reduces disease damage by 50-55% compared to untreated plants, offering a promising biological alternative to synthetic fungicides.

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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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Identification and potential of the hyperparasite Acremonium persicinum as biocontrol agent against coffee leaf rust

Coffee leaf rust is a major disease threatening coffee production worldwide. Researchers in China identified a naturally occurring fungus called Acremonium persicinum that parasitizes the rust fungus, effectively killing it. This biocontrol agent showed 91% inhibition of rust spore germination and completely prevented rust infection when applied together with the rust, offering a promising chemical-free solution for protecting coffee crops.

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Fusarium suttonianum Identified as the Causal Agent of Root Rot in Plukenetia volubilis in Peru

Scientists in Peru discovered that a fungus called Fusarium suttonianum is causing root rot disease in sacha inchi plants, an important crop known for its omega-3 rich seeds. Using both traditional microscopy and modern DNA testing, researchers confirmed this fungus as the culprit and demonstrated it can cause the same disease symptoms in healthy plants. This discovery is important for farmers because it provides the first scientific identification of this disease threat in Peru, enabling the development of better disease prevention and control strategies.

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