Research Keyword: plant disease resistance

Decursin, Identified via High-Throughput Chemical Screening, Enhances Plant Disease Resistance via Two Independent Mechanisms

Researchers identified a natural compound called decursin from angelica plants that helps plants fight off dangerous fungal infections in two ways: it strengthens the plant’s own immune system and directly kills the fungal pathogens. This dual-action approach makes decursin a promising natural alternative to synthetic fungicides for protecting crops like wheat and tomatoes from diseases. The compound shows particular promise because it comes from plants, breaks down easily in the environment, and is more effective than other natural antimicrobial compounds currently used in agriculture.

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Natural expression variation for the Arabidopsis MED20a mediator complex subunit influences quantitative resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Scientists studied how different varieties of a common plant (Arabidopsis) naturally resist a destructive fungal disease caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. By examining genetic differences among plant varieties and testing a fungus from different sources, they found that a gene called MED20a plays an important role in disease resistance. Plants with specific genetic variations in the MED20a gene’s control region were more resistant to infection.

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Transformation of Alternaria dauci demonstrates the involvement of two polyketide synthase genes in aldaulactone production and fungal pathogenicity

A fungus that causes leaf spots on carrots produces a toxic chemical that helps it infect plants. Scientists identified two genes responsible for making this toxin and used genetic engineering to create mutant fungi unable to produce it. When these mutant fungi tried to infect carrot plants, they were much less damaging than the normal fungus, proving the toxin is crucial for the fungus to cause disease.

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Additions to Macgarvieomyces in Iran: Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Six New Species

Scientists discovered six new species of fungi in Iran that cause leaf spots on common wetland plants. By examining the fungi under microscopes and analyzing their genetic material, researchers were able to identify these previously unknown species and describe their characteristics. This discovery significantly increases our understanding of fungal diversity in Iran and shows how combining traditional observation with modern genetic analysis helps identify new organisms. These findings provide important information for future ecological and evolutionary studies of these fungi.

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Transcription Factor PFB1 Is Required for the Botrytis cinerea Effector BcSCR1-Mediated Pathogenesis

Researchers discovered how a fungal disease (grey mould) spreads by identifying a toxic protein it produces that disables a plant’s defense system. The fungal protein BcSCR1 sneaks into plant cells and targets a control switch called PFB1 that normally turns on genes protecting plants from infection. By blocking this control switch, the fungus weakens the plant’s immune defenses and establishes infection more easily.

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