Research Topic: disease management

Deciphering the morphological, molecular, and pathogenic variability in Fusarium species associated with potato dry rot disease

Researchers studied potato dry rot disease in India by collecting diseased potatoes from storage facilities and identifying the fungal pathogens responsible. They found that three Fusarium fungi species cause this disease, with Fusarium sambucinum being the most aggressive and damaging. The study provides important information for farmers and agricultural scientists to better control this disease and reduce potato losses during storage.

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Spent casing, Sphagnum moss, grass fibers, and green compost as peat alternatives in casing soils for Agaricus bisporus cultivation

Button mushrooms are commonly grown on peat-based soil, but peat extraction damages important ecosystems. This study tested several alternative materials including spent mushroom substrate, moss, processed grass fibers, and compost as peat replacements. Researchers found that up to 75% of peat could be replaced with these alternatives while maintaining mushroom yield and preventing disease, offering promising sustainable options for commercial growers.

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Investigating the activity of Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma harzianum to mitigate Fusarium wilt disease of diverse cultivars of Vicia faba

Fava beans are damaged by a fungus called Fusarium that causes wilting and crop loss. Scientists tested two beneficial microorganisms—Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis—as natural alternatives to chemical fungicides. Trichoderma worked better, reducing disease by over 70% while also boosting plant health and bean production in two different fava bean varieties.

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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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Isolation, Identification, and In Vitro Fungicide Screening of the Pathogen Associated with Pear Dry Blight

Pear dry blight is a serious fungal disease affecting pear orchards in China. Researchers identified the fungus Diaporthe fukushii as the cause and tested various fungicides to find the most effective treatments. The study found that thiophanate-methyl and difenoconazole mixed with propiconazole work best, while some other fungicides are less effective. The research provides farmers with evidence-based strategies to manage this devastating disease.

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Flood Inoculation of Fusarium eumartii in Tomato Seedlings: Method for Evaluating the Infectivity of Pathogen Spores

Scientists have developed a simple laboratory method to test how effectively a fungus called Fusarium eumartii infects young tomato plants. The technique involves growing tomato seedlings on special nutrient plates and then exposing them to fungal spores suspended in water, allowing researchers to measure how much damage occurs and how much fungus remains in the plant tissue. This method can be used to quickly test whether different compounds, like chitosan, can prevent fungal infections or help plants defend themselves naturally. The straightforward approach makes it useful for farmers and researchers developing better ways to protect tomato crops from fungal diseases.

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Ornithine enhances common bean growth and defense against white mold disease via interfering with SsOAH and diminishing the biosynthesis of oxalic acid in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Researchers found that L-ornithine, a naturally occurring amino acid, can help common bean plants defend themselves against white mold disease caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. When applied to bean plants, ornithine boosted their antioxidant defenses and interfered with the fungus’s ability to produce oxalic acid, a toxic compound it uses to infect plants. This discovery offers farmers a potential eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting bean crops.

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Bacillus velezensis CNPMS-22 as biocontrol agent of pathogenic fungi and plant growth promoter

This research demonstrates that a beneficial bacterium called Bacillus velezensis CNPMS-22 can effectively protect maize plants from fungal diseases caused by Fusarium verticillioides. When used to treat seeds before planting, this bacterium reduced disease symptoms and increased crop yield to levels comparable with chemical fungicides. The bacteria produces natural compounds that kill harmful fungi and promote plant growth, offering a safer and more sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides.

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Impact of nitrogen fertilization on soil microbial diversity, its mediated enzyme activities, and stem nematode population in sweet potato fields

Researchers studied how different amounts of nitrogen fertilizer affect sweet potato growth and soil health. They found that the right amount of nitrogen (64.8 kg per hectare) boosts beneficial soil bacteria and fungi while reducing harmful nematode parasites that damage sweet potatoes. This optimal fertilization level improved yields and plant health by maintaining a better balance of soil microorganisms.

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Diversity and pathogenicity of pestalotioid fungi infecting Camellia oleifera in China

Tea oil plants in China’s Sichuan Province are being infected by three types of fungi that cause serious diseases like leaf spots and blighting. Researchers identified a new fungal species and found that two previously known species can also infect tea oil plants. All three fungi were tested for their ability to cause disease, and they successfully infected tea oil plant leaves under laboratory conditions.

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