fungal pathogen – mycolab.ai

Hydrophobins in Bipolaris maydis do not contribute to colony hydrophobicity, but their heterologous expressions alter colony hydrophobicity in Aspergillus nidulans

mycolabadmin

Researchers studied proteins called hydrophobins in a corn fungal pathogen to understand what they do. Surprisingly, even when they removed all four hydrophobin genes from the fungus, it grew normally and remained just as water-repellent as wild-type. However, when these same proteins were placed into a different fungus species that lacks its own hydrophobins, they worked perfectly to restore water repellency. This suggests that hydrophobins have different roles depending on which fungus they’re in.

Biology and epidemiology of Diaporthe amygdali: understanding how environmental factors influence fungal growth, sporulation, infection and lesion development on almond

mycolabadmin

This study investigates how temperature and rainfall affect a fungal disease that damages almond trees. Researchers found that the disease is most problematic during spring and autumn when rain is frequent and temperatures are moderate to warm. The pathogen can infect almond trees across a wide temperature range, but requires extended moisture periods for successful infection. These findings help farmers understand when and why this disease occurs, enabling better timing of preventive treatments.

Identification of Avocado Fruit Disease Caused by Diaporthe phaseolorum and Colletotrichum fructicola in China

mycolabadmin

Researchers in China identified two fungal pathogens responsible for major avocado fruit diseases: Diaporthe phaseolorum causes fruit rot while Colletotrichum fructicola causes anthracnose. These diseases affect approximately 22% and 15% of avocado fruits respectively in Yunnan Province. This first-time identification of these pathogens on avocado provides growers with crucial information to implement targeted disease prevention strategies and protect their crops.

Identification, Characterization, Pathogenicity, and Fungicide Sensitivity of Postharvest Fungal Diseases in Culinary Melon from Northern Thailand

mycolabadmin

Researchers in Thailand identified four different fungi causing diseases in culinary melons after harvest. They found that three fungus species cause damage to stored melon fruits, significantly reducing their quality and value. By testing various fungicides, they determined which chemical treatments effectively stop each fungus type, helping farmers protect their crops and reduce losses.

First molecular confirmation of Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing grapevine trunk disease in southern Egypt

mycolabadmin

Researchers in Egypt identified a fungus called Lasiodiplodia theobromae as the cause of a serious disease affecting grapevines in the southern region. Using both microscopic examination and genetic analysis, they confirmed the fungus causes dark streaking in grape vine trunks, leading to branch death and decline. When they tested the fungus on grape tissues in the laboratory, it successfully infected all tested samples, showing it is a highly virulent pathogen. The findings suggest farmers need to use disease-resistant grape varieties and implement management strategies to prevent losses.

The Velvet Complex Is Essential for Sclerotia Formation and Virulence in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

mycolabadmin

Scientists studied a destructive fungus that damages crops by identifying key genes controlling its ability to form protective resting structures called sclerotia and cause disease. Using genetic screening techniques, they discovered that two genes called SsLae1 and SsVel1 work together as master controllers of both the fungus’s survival and its ability to infect plants. These findings could help develop new ways to control the disease by targeting these critical genes.

The biocontrol potential of endophyte Bacillus velezensis to reduce post-harvest tomato infection caused by Rhizopus microsporus

mycolabadmin

Researchers tested a naturally occurring bacteria called Bacillus velezensis as a safe alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting tomatoes from rot-causing mold. The bacteria produces special compounds that can kill or slow down the growth of Rhizopus microsporus, a fungus that commonly spoils tomatoes after harvest. While the results show promise, the effectiveness varied depending on which specific strain of bacteria and mold was used, suggesting more research is needed to fine-tune the approach.

A novel partitivirus confers dual contradictory effects to its host fungus: growth attenuation and virulence enhancement

mycolabadmin

Researchers discovered a new virus that infects a fungus causing disease in tea plants. Interestingly, this virus has opposing effects: it slows down the fungus’s growth but makes it more damaging to tea leaves. This unusual combination of effects provides new insights into how viruses interact with fungal pathogens and could inform new strategies for managing tea plant diseases.

Identification of a pathogen causing fruiting body rot of Sanghuangporus vaninii

mycolabadmin

Sanghuang, a valuable medicinal mushroom grown in China, was suffering from a disease that damaged fruiting bodies and reduced production. Researchers identified the cause as a green mold fungus called Trichoderma virens. The fungus grows best at 25°C and strongly inhibits the mushroom’s growth. Understanding this pathogen is the first step toward developing better ways to prevent the disease and protect this important medicinal crop.

Sanctuary: a Starship transposon facilitating the movement of the virulence factor ToxA in fungal wheat pathogens

mycolabadmin

Researchers found that a disease-causing gene called ToxA, which helps fungal pathogens infect wheat crops, travels between different fungal species using molecular ‘cargo ships’ called Starship transposons. By sequencing multiple fungal isolates, scientists discovered that ToxA rides within a larger mobile genetic element called Sanctuary that can move around within fungal genomes and between species. This discovery helps explain how wheat pathogens become more dangerous over time through horizontal gene transfer.

Research Keyword: fungal pathogen