Research Keyword: plant health

Pathogen Identification, Antagonistic Microbe Screening, and Biocontrol Strategies for Aconitum carmichaelii Root Rot

Aconitum carmichaelii is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant that has become increasingly prone to root rot disease due to continuous farming in Yunnan. Researchers identified multiple disease-causing pathogens and discovered that beneficial bacteria called Bacillus can both fight these pathogens and improve plant health. One particularly effective strain enhanced soil quality and increased the plant’s natural defenses, achieving over 50% disease control without chemical pesticides.

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Slime molds (Myxomycetes) causing a “disease” in crop plants and cultivated mushrooms

Slime molds are not true plant diseases but can harm crops by covering leaves and blocking sunlight and water loss. These organisms prefer wet, organic-rich environments and are particularly problematic in mushroom farming. Farmers can prevent problems by managing moisture, improving ventilation, and removing affected materials, with chemical sprays available as backup options when needed.

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Geographic variation in fungal diversity associated with leaf spot symptoms of Coffea arabica in Yunnan, China

Researchers studied the different types of fungi found on coffee plant leaves in two regions of Yunnan, China. They discovered that the mountainous areas of Pu’er had more harmful fungi causing leaf spot disease, while the tropical lowlands of Xishuangbanna had more beneficial fungi that could naturally control pests. This information helps coffee farmers choose better disease management strategies based on their location’s unique environmental conditions.

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Phylogenetic diversity of Colletotrichum species (Sordariomycetes, Glomerellales, Glomerellaceae) associated with plant diseases in Thailand

Researchers identified eight species of Colletotrichum fungi causing plant diseases in Thailand. They discovered two completely new species and found these fungi on 13 additional plant hosts previously unknown. Using DNA analysis, they confirmed the identity of each fungal species and documented their characteristics. This work helps farmers and scientists better identify and manage these damaging plant pathogens.

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Plant Pathogenic Fungi Special Issue: Genetics and Genomics

This scientific review discusses how modern genetics and genomics tools are helping researchers better understand and manage plant diseases caused by fungi. Seven research studies are presented covering topics like identifying different fungal species, understanding how fungi attack plants, and finding natural alternatives to chemical fungicides. The research emphasizes the importance of monitoring fungal diseases and developing crops that resist infection to protect global food production.

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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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The influence of mycorrhizal hyphal connections and neighbouring plants on Plantago lanceolata physiology and nutrient uptake

Fungi that live in soil form partnerships with plant roots and can extend underground networks connecting multiple plants. In this study, plants with access to expanded fungal networks captured more carbon through photosynthesis, accumulated more nutrients like phosphorus and zinc, and released more carbon into the soil. However, whether neighboring plants were present or what type they were did not significantly change these benefits, suggesting that soil exploration volume matters more than plant-to-plant connections through fungal networks.

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