plant pathology – Page 4

Whole-genome sequencing of global forest pathogen Diplodia sapinea causing pine shoot blight

mycolabadmin

Scientists have sequenced the complete genome of Diplodia sapinea, a fungus that causes serious disease in pine trees worldwide. This fungus normally lives harmlessly inside healthy pine trees but becomes dangerous during stressful conditions like droughts or storms. The new genome information will help scientists understand how this pathogen works and develop better ways to prevent and control the disease in forests.

Transmission of apple stem grooving virus (Capillovirus mali) to apple from the soil-borne fungus Fusarium solani

mycolabadmin

Scientists discovered that a common soil fungus called Fusarium solani can catch and spread apple viruses to apple trees through their roots. This fungus naturally harbors the apple stem grooving virus and can pass it to healthy apple plants, causing reduced growth and damage to roots. The virus spreads within the fungus population both horizontally and vertically, suggesting fungi may be a previously unknown source of apple virus infection in orchards.

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

mycolabadmin

Scientists developed a faster and easier way to test whether poplar trees are resistant to stem canker diseases caused by fungi. Instead of using traditional time-consuming stem tests, they inoculate fungal pathogens directly onto leaves, which shows results in just 5 days. This new leaf-based method uses abundant, readily available leaf tissue and can test many poplar breeding candidates quickly and cheaply, making it ideal for developing disease-resistant poplar varieties.

The polyphasic approach reveals two new species and two new records of Nigrospora (Apiosporaceae, Amphisphaeriales) associated with Aquilaria sinensis from China

mycolabadmin

Researchers discovered two previously unknown species of Nigrospora fungi (N. guangxiensis and N. pubeiensis) living inside agarwood tree leaves in southern China. These fungi, along with two other known species, were identified using a combination of microscopic examination and DNA analysis. The findings expand our understanding of fungal diversity in agarwood trees, which are valuable medicinal plants, and may have practical applications for the agarwood production industry.

Complete genome sequence of Diaporthe vaccinii Shear, a fungal isolated from blueberry

mycolabadmin

Scientists sequenced the complete genetic blueprint of Diaporthe vaccinii, a harmful fungus that damages blueberry plants and costs farmers significant money. Using advanced DNA sequencing technology, they assembled a high-quality genetic map of the fungus to better understand how it causes disease. This genetic information could help researchers develop better ways to protect blueberry crops from this destructive pathogen.

Diurnal Release of Airborne Pathogen Spores in Greenhouses via the Synergistic Effects of Relative Humidity and Wind

mycolabadmin

In greenhouses, cucumber and vegetable diseases spread explosively due to the combined effects of changing humidity and wind. This research reveals that when humidity drops during the day, fungal spores shrink and detach from diseased leaves through jerking movements. Even gentle wind can carry these detached spores to healthy nearby plants, causing rapid disease spread. By understanding this mechanism, farmers can implement better disease control by managing humidity and ventilation strategically.

Exploring Fungal Communication Mechanisms in the Rhizosphere Microbiome for a Sustainable Green Agriculture

mycolabadmin

Fungi in soil communicate with each other and plants through chemical signals, forming protective layers called biofilms that help them cooperate and survive. These fungal communication networks can be either beneficial, helping plants grow and fight diseases, or harmful, causing crop infections and producing toxins. By better understanding how fungi talk to each other, scientists can develop natural ways to improve agriculture and clean up polluted soils without using harmful chemicals.

Diversity and Pathogenicity of Colletotrichum Species Causing Coffee Anthracnose in China

mycolabadmin

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.

Botryosphaeriaceae Species Causing Stem Blight and Dieback of Blueberries in Serbia

mycolabadmin

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.

Gene transfer between fungal species triggers repeated coffee wilt disease outbreaks

mycolabadmin

A new study found that coffee wilt disease, which has caused major crop losses in Africa, has repeatedly emerged due to genes jumping between different fungal species. These genes travel via special mobile DNA elements called Starships, which act like genetic vehicles carrying pathogenic genes from one fungus to another. When Fusarium fungi exchanged genes this way, they became better at infecting different varieties of coffee plants. Understanding how these genes move is crucial for protecting coffee crops from future disease outbreaks.

Research Keyword: plant pathology