Research Keyword: Verticillium dahliae

New wine in old skins: Scopoletin biosynthesis in cotton

Cotton farmers face significant crop losses from a soil-dwelling fungus called Verticillium dahliae. Scientists discovered that cotton plants can protect themselves by producing a compound called scopoletin, which damages and kills this fungus. By understanding how cotton activates the genes that make scopoletin, researchers may be able to genetically engineer more disease-resistant cotton varieties, providing farmers with a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides.

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In vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects and transcriptional reactions of graphene oxide on Verticillium dahliae

Graphene oxide, a nanomaterial derived from graphene, effectively inhibits the growth of Verticillium dahliae, a fungus that causes devastating wilt disease in cotton and many other plants. The study shows that graphene oxide damages the fungal cell membrane and disrupts key metabolic processes, preventing the fungus from growing and infecting plants. When applied to cotton plants, graphene oxide treatment significantly reduced wilt disease symptoms, suggesting it could be a promising alternative to chemical fungicides for controlling this important agricultural disease.

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