plant immunity – Page 2

Endophytic fungal community composition and function response to strawberry genotype and disease resistance

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Researchers studied fungi living inside three varieties of strawberry plants to understand why some varieties are more resistant to diseases. They found that disease-resistant strawberries like White Elves naturally harbor beneficial fungi such as Trichoderma and Talaromyces that fight off pathogens, while disease-susceptible varieties like Akihime have more harmful fungi. This discovery could help farmers grow healthier strawberries without relying solely on chemical pesticides by using natural beneficial fungi.

Starve or share? Phosphate availability shapes plant–microbe interactions

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Plants need phosphate to survive, but it’s hard to find in soil. To solve this problem, plants partner with beneficial fungi and bacteria that help them absorb more phosphate. A master control system inside plants called PHR decides whether to be friendly with these helpful microbes or to defend against harmful ones, depending on how much phosphate is available. This clever system helps plants thrive even when nutrients are scarce.

ChnagG Plays the Role of 5-Salicylate Hydroxylase in the Gentisic Acid Pathway of Salicylic Acid Metabolism in Cochliobolus heterostrophus

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A common corn fungus called Cochliobolus heterostrophus has evolved a clever strategy to infect maize plants by producing an enzyme that breaks down salicylic acid, a key plant defense hormone. When scientists removed the gene encoding this enzyme, the fungus became less effective at causing disease and plants mounted stronger immune responses. This discovery helps explain how this fungal pathogen overcomes plant defenses and could lead to new ways to protect corn crops.

Positive interaction between melatonin and methyl jasmonate enhances Fusarium wilt resistance in Citrullus lanatus

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Researchers discovered that two natural plant signaling molecules, melatonin and methyl jasmonate, work together to protect watermelons from a devastating fungal disease called Fusarium wilt. When applied to watermelon plants at the right concentrations, these molecules trigger the plant’s natural defense mechanisms, making the plants more resistant to infection. The study shows these compounds can be used as natural, sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides for protecting crops.

A root-based N-hydroxypipecolic acid standby circuit to direct immunity and growth of Arabidopsis shoots

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Plants communicate with their shoots through chemical signals produced in their roots when soil microorganisms are present. Researchers discovered that a molecule called N-hydroxypipecolic acid acts like an on-off switch controlled by two proteins, FMO1 and UGT76B1. Beneficial fungi suppress the ‘off’ switch, allowing this signal to travel to leaves where it boosts immunity against disease. Different amounts of this signal have different effects: small amounts help the plant grow, while large amounts strengthen defenses but slow growth.

Putative Transcriptional Regulation of HaWRKY33-AOA251SVV7 Complex-Mediated Sunflower Head Rot by Transcriptomics and Proteomics

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This research identifies how sunflowers defend themselves against a devastating fungal disease called head rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Scientists discovered that a protein called HaWRKY33 works together with another protein (AOA251SVV7) to help resistant sunflower varieties fight off the infection. By understanding these molecular interactions and identifying critical regions of the HaWRKY33 protein, researchers can now develop better sunflower varieties that are naturally resistant to this disease, potentially saving farmers significant crop losses.

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

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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.

Characterization of Endoglucanase (GH9) Gene Family in Tomato and Its Expression in Response to Rhizophagus irregularis and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

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This study examined how tomato plants regulate genes that break down and remodel cellulose in cell walls during interactions with beneficial fungi and harmful pathogens. Beneficial mycorrhizal fungi boost the expression of these genes, leading to larger leaves and better plant growth. When pathogens attack, these genes are turned down to strengthen the cell wall defense. This demonstrates how plants balance growth and defense depending on their microbial environment.

Mycorrhizal symbiosis and application of vitamin B3-treated Trichoderma Harzianum HE24 additively trigger immunity responses in faba bean plants against Rhizoctonia root rot and promote the plant growth and yield

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Researchers found that combining a beneficial fungus called Trichoderma harzianum with vitamin B3 and mycorrhizal fungi can effectively protect faba bean plants from root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani. This combined treatment boosted the plant’s natural defense systems and significantly improved plant growth and seed production. The approach offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for controlling this destructive plant disease.

Research Keyword: plant immunity