Research Topic: fungal pathogens

Informing the World Health Organization Fungal Priority Pathogens List (WHO-FPPL): A collection of systematic reviews

The World Health Organization created a priority list of dangerous fungal infections affecting millions of people globally each year. Experts reviewed 19 different fungal pathogens and ranked them by how dangerous they are and how much they need research and treatment development. The list identifies which fungal infections should get the most attention from doctors, researchers, and public health officials to improve patient outcomes and reduce deaths.

Read More »

The dark side of avocados: a review of anthracnose and stem-end rot in postharvest fruit

Avocados are a valuable global fruit crop, but two fungal diseases—anthracnose and stem-end rot—cause major economic losses by making fruit unmarketable. These fungi infect avocados in the orchard but remain hidden until the fruit ripens, making them difficult to detect and control. Recent advances in detection technology and disease management strategies, including biological controls and natural treatments, offer promising solutions to reduce losses and keep avocados fresh from farm to table.

Read More »

Essential Oils as an Antifungal Alternative to Control Several Species of Fungi Isolated from Musa paradisiaca: Part III

This research tested six common cooking and medicinal herbs to see which could stop the growth of fungi that spoil bananas after harvest. Scientists found that thyme oil was the most effective, followed by cinnamon and oregano, successfully preventing fungal growth at practical concentrations. These natural oils could replace synthetic chemical fungicides that harm the environment, offering a safer way to keep bananas fresh and healthy during storage and transport.

Read More »

Non-wounding contact-based Inoculation of fruits with fungal pathogens in postharvest

Researchers developed a new laboratory method to test how fungal molds spread between fruits during storage without damaging the fruit surface. Using oranges, tomatoes, and apples infected with common storage molds, they showed that disease can successfully spread through simple contact between fruits. The method achieved infection rates of 80% or higher and even detected infections before visible mold appeared using special imaging technology.

Read More »

Differential responses of Cacao pathogens Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Pestalotiopsis sp. to UVB 305 nm and UVC 275 nm

Scientists studied how UV light can be used to fight fungal diseases that harm cacao plants. They found that UVC light (a type of ultraviolet radiation) is much more effective at killing these fungi than UVB light. Some fungi were very resistant to UV treatment, but the researchers discovered that combining UV light with sound waves (sonication) could overcome this resistance, offering a chemical-free way to protect crops.

Read More »

The green shield: Trichoderma’s role in sustainable agriculture against soil-borne fungal threats

This research shows that Trichoderma fungi naturally found in soil can protect plants from harmful fungal diseases. Scientists isolated two types of Trichoderma from soil in the Kashmir region and tested them against 12 different disease-causing fungi. The results showed that these beneficial fungi successfully stopped the growth of harmful pathogens, offering a natural and environmentally safe alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting crops.

Read More »

Effect of Rare, Locally Isolated Entomopathogenic Fungi on the Survival of Bactrocera oleae Pupae in Laboratory Soil Conditions

Researchers tested seventeen types of fungi that infect insects to see if they could control the olive fruit fly, a major pest in Greece that damages olive crops. Using fungi from local Greek soil samples, they exposed young olive fruit flies to different fungal treatments both in soil and without soil. Some fungi, particularly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus keveii, were highly effective at killing the flies and preventing them from reproducing normally. These results suggest that using these naturally occurring fungi could be a safer alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting olive groves.

Read More »

Epidemiology of Candidemia, Candiduria and Emerging Candidozyma (Candida) auris Across Gulf Cooperative Council Countries and Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula

This comprehensive review examines fungal bloodstream and urinary tract infections caused by Candida species across Middle Eastern countries. The study shows that while Candida albicans remains common, dangerous antibiotic-resistant strains like Candidozyma auris are increasingly appearing in hospitals. The research highlights that better diagnostic tools and infection prevention practices are urgently needed in the region to protect patients and reduce deaths from these serious infections.

Read More »

Effect of Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Incubation Time on the Mycotoxin Production by Fusarium spp. Responsible for Dry Rot in Potato Tubers

This research examines how temperature and humidity during potato storage affect the growth of disease-causing fungi and their toxic byproducts. The study found that warmer, more humid storage conditions dramatically increase both fungal growth and dangerous toxin production in potatoes. Certain potato varieties became more susceptible to disease as they were stored longer. The toxin levels detected exceeded European safety limits, suggesting contaminated potatoes should be removed to protect consumer health.

Read More »

Vulnerability of Walnut Pruning Wounds to Fungal Trunk Pathogens and Seasonal Conidial Dynamics of Botryosphaeriaceae in the Maule Region, Chile

When walnut trees are pruned, the resulting wounds are exposed to dangerous fungi that can cause branch die-back and significantly reduce crop yield. This research found that freshly cut pruning wounds are most vulnerable to infection, especially from aggressive fungi like Diplodia mutila, but this vulnerability decreases over time. The fungi spread their spores mainly during wet winter months when rainfall and humidity are high, so timing pruning operations to avoid these periods and protecting wounds with fungicides could substantially reduce disease losses in walnut orchards.

Read More »
Scroll to Top