Research Keyword: disease management

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

Coffee plants are severely damaged by a fungal disease called coffee leaf rust that destroys leaves and can reduce harvests by over 70%. Scientists in China discovered a beneficial fungus called Acremonium persicinum that acts as a natural enemy to the rust-causing fungus, essentially eating and destroying it. Laboratory tests showed this beneficial fungus prevented rust infection in 91% of cases and completely stopped the disease from spreading when applied to infected coffee leaves. This natural biological control offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting coffee crops.

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Complete genome sequence analysis of Boeremia exigua, a fungal pathogen causing leaf spot disease of Panax notoginseng

Scientists have sequenced the complete genetic code of a fungus called Boeremia exigua that causes leaf spot disease on Panax notoginseng, a valuable traditional Chinese medicinal plant. The fungus has a toolkit of genes that help it break down plant cell walls and infect the plant. By understanding the fungus’s genetic makeup, researchers hope to develop better ways to prevent or control this disease and protect P. notoginseng crops.

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A rapid and efficient in vivo inoculation method for introducing tree stem canker pathogens onto leaves: suitable for large-scale assessment of resistance in poplar breeding progeny

Scientists developed a new, faster way to test poplar trees for resistance to stem canker diseases by inoculating fungal pathogens directly onto leaves instead of using whole stem segments. This method is much simpler, cheaper, and produces results in just 5 days compared to weeks for traditional methods. By testing leaves at different positions on trees and under different light conditions, researchers showed this leaf-based method accurately identifies resistant poplar clones for breeding programs.

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In vitro and In silico investigation deciphering novel antifungal activity of endophyte Bacillus velezensis CBMB205 against Fusarium oxysporum

Researchers isolated a beneficial bacteria called Bacillus velezensis from medicinal plants that can fight against a dangerous fungus causing banana wilt disease. Through laboratory and computer studies, they identified two natural compounds produced by this bacteria that stop the fungus from growing by damaging its cell walls. This discovery offers a promising eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting banana crops worldwide.

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In vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects and transcriptional reactions of graphene oxide on Verticillium dahliae

Graphene oxide, a nanomaterial derived from graphene, effectively inhibits the growth of Verticillium dahliae, a fungus that causes devastating wilt disease in cotton and many other plants. The study shows that graphene oxide damages the fungal cell membrane and disrupts key metabolic processes, preventing the fungus from growing and infecting plants. When applied to cotton plants, graphene oxide treatment significantly reduced wilt disease symptoms, suggesting it could be a promising alternative to chemical fungicides for controlling this important agricultural disease.

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Genome sequences of three genetic lineages of the fungus Nothophaeocryptopus gaeumannii, the causal agent of Swiss needle cast on Douglas-fir trees

Researchers sequenced the complete genomes of three different genetic strains of a fungus that causes Swiss needle cast, a disease affecting Douglas-fir trees in the Pacific Northwest. These fungal strains differ in their ability to adapt to different environmental conditions. The high-quality genome information will help scientists understand why these strains are different and how they might spread under changing climate conditions.

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A new molecular seed assay to predict Ustilago nuda field infection levels

Scientists developed a new DNA-based test to detect a fungus that infects barley seeds and causes crop disease. This test is faster and more accurate than the current method of manually inspecting seeds under a microscope. By using this new test, farmers can better decide which seeds need treatment, reducing unnecessary use of pesticides while still preventing disease outbreaks in their fields.

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Diversity and Pathogenicity of Colletotrichum Species Causing Coffee Anthracnose in China

Researchers identified seven different fungal species causing anthracnose disease on coffee plants in China. Two of these species, Colletotrichum nupharicola and C. cliviicola, were reported for the first time as coffee pathogens. All seven species were capable of infecting coffee leaves, though with varying degrees of severity. These findings will help coffee farmers develop better strategies to control this major disease.

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Botryosphaeriaceae Species Causing Stem Blight and Dieback of Blueberries in Serbia

Researchers in Serbia studied fungal diseases affecting blueberry plants and identified four different disease-causing fungi. They found that Lasiodiplodia iraniensis, a fungus previously unknown on blueberries worldwide, is now infecting Serbian blueberry orchards. The study shows that the ‘Duke’ blueberry variety is more susceptible to infection than other varieties, and that the disease likely spreads through infected planting materials used to establish new orchards.

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Novel secondary metabolite from a new species of Hypoxylon saxatilis sp. nov. for suppressing bacterial wilt in tomato

Researchers discovered a new fungus species (Hypoxylon saxatilis) living inside medicinal plants that produces a novel compound called tetrahydrofuran. This compound kills the bacterium that causes tomato wilt disease by damaging bacterial cell walls. In greenhouse tests, extract from this fungus reduced wilt disease severity by over 83%, suggesting it could be developed as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting tomato crops.

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