fungicide resistance

Mitochondrial heterogeneity drives the evolution of fungicide resistance in Phytophthora sojae, with associated fitness trade-offs

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Researchers studied how a plant pathogen called Phytophthora sojae develops resistance to the fungicide ametoctradin. They found that resistance builds up gradually through changes in mitochondrial DNA, where a single mutation accumulates over generations. While this mutation helps the fungus survive the fungicide, it damages its mitochondria and reduces its overall fitness, though the organism can partially compensate through increased expression of a protein called TFAM1.

Context-Dependent Fitness Trade-Offs in Penicillium expansum Isolates Resistant to Multiple Postharvest Fungicides

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This research examines how apples and pears get a fungal disease called blue mold and how the fungus develops resistance to commonly used fungicides. Scientists tested fungus samples that resist different fungicides to see if this resistance makes them weaker. They found that resistant fungus strains do struggle more under stressful laboratory conditions, but remain dangerous during long-term cold storage of fruit, especially when fungicides are present.

One-Health Approach to Managing Aflatoxin-Producing Aspergillus flavus Using Spent Mushroom Substrate of Pleurotus spp

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This study shows that leftover substrate from growing oyster and red mushrooms can work together with a common antifungal fungicide to better prevent harmful Aspergillus fungi from contaminating corn. The combination of mushroom waste and fungicide was more effective than using either alone, and could potentially reduce the amount of chemicals needed in agriculture while protecting the environment and preventing drug resistance.

Different Infection Structures and Point Mutation of Diaporthe citri Showing Resistant against Systemic Fungicides

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Citrus melanose, a serious fungal disease affecting citrus crops, is increasingly difficult to control due to the development of fungicide-resistant fungal strains. This study examined how resistant and susceptible Diaporthe citri strains respond to two common fungicides. The researchers found that resistant strains have genetic mutations that allow them to overcome fungicide treatments, particularly a specific change in the β-tubulin gene. Understanding these resistance mechanisms is crucial for developing better strategies to manage citrus diseases.

Algae and Cyanobacteria Fatty Acids and Bioactive Metabolites: Natural Antifungal Alternative Against Fusarium sp

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This review examines how fatty acids and other compounds from algae and cyanobacteria can naturally fight Fusarium fungus, which damages crops like wheat, corn, and tomatoes. Traditional chemical fungicides harm the environment and can make fungi resistant, so scientists are exploring algae-based alternatives that work sustainably. The research shows these algal compounds can damage fungal cell membranes and boost plant defenses against infection. While promising, more work is needed to develop these natural solutions for practical farm use.

Unveiling molecular mechanisms of strobilurin resistance in the cacao pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa

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Cacao farmers have struggled to control witches’ broom disease, a fungal infection caused by Moniliophthora perniciosa, because the fungus survives even high doses of strobilurin fungicides. This study reveals how the fungus adapts to the fungicide by switching its metabolism to use alternative energy sources, activating detoxification systems, and using an alternative respiratory pathway. Researchers also discovered that prolonged fungicide exposure can create even more resistant mutants with mutations in genes that control fungal growth and gene expression.

Mycobiome of low maintenance iconic landscape plant boxwood under repeated treatments of contact and systemic fungicides

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This study examined how different fungicide treatments affect the beneficial and harmful fungi living on boxwood plants. Researchers found that repeated applications of chlorothalonil-based fungicides reduced many beneficial fungi while having minimal effect on harmful pathogens, and that fungi became less sensitive to the same fungicide over time. The findings suggest that choosing the right fungicide and application method is important for maintaining plant health and preventing fungicide resistance.

Unveiling molecular mechanisms of strobilurin resistance in the cacao pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa

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This research reveals how a fungus that causes disease in cacao plants survives treatment with strobilurin fungicides, which are commonly used in agriculture. Scientists discovered that the fungus adapts by reorganizing its metabolism to compensate for the drug’s effects, activating detoxification systems, and in some cases, developing genetic mutations that enhance resistance. Understanding these survival mechanisms could help develop better strategies to control this economically important crop disease.

Comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms conferring resistance to phenamacril in the Fusarium species

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Fusarium fungi cause serious diseases in crops like wheat, rice, and vegetables worldwide, leading to significant food losses and contamination with harmful toxins. Phenamacril is a modern fungicide designed to fight these fungi by targeting a specific protein called myosin-5. However, the fungi have developed resistance to this fungicide through genetic changes and other mechanisms, making it less effective over time. Farmers need to use multiple strategies including crop rotation and resistant plant varieties rather than relying only on fungicides to successfully manage these diseases.

Moving beyond multi-triazole to multi-fungicide resistance: Broader selection of drug resistance in the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus

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Aspergillus fumigatus is a dangerous fungal infection treated with triazole drugs, but the fungus is developing resistance to multiple antifungal medications. This resistance appears to be selected in agricultural settings where fungicides are used on crops, and resistant strains then spread to humans through the air. The problem is worse because agricultural fungicides are selecting for strains resistant to multiple drug classes at once, making infections harder to treat. Addressing this issue requires reducing fungicide use in agriculture and better strategies for managing antifungal resistance.

Research Topic: fungicide resistance