Research Topic: plant disease control

Antifungal Activity of Sesamol on Pestalotiopsis neglecta: Interfering with Cell Membrane and Energy Metabolism

Researchers found that sesamol, a natural compound found in sesame oil, effectively kills a harmful fungus that damages pine trees and other plants. The study showed that sesamol damages the fungus’s cell membranes and disrupts its energy production, ultimately killing it. These findings suggest sesamol could be developed as a natural alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting crops and forests from disease.

Read More »

Evaluation of electrolyzed water to control fungal trunk pathogens in grapevine nurseries

Growers struggle with fungal diseases that infect grapevine nurseries, reducing the quality of planting material. Researchers tested electrolyzed water—a solution made from salt and water using electricity—as a sustainable treatment for infected grapevine cuttings. Laboratory tests showed the treatment effectively killed fungal spores and reduced fungal growth. Field trials at a commercial nursery confirmed that treating cuttings with electrolyzed water reduced certain grapevine diseases without harming plant growth.

Read More »

Decapeptide Inducer Promotes the Conidiation of Phytopathogenic Magnaporthe oryzae via the Mps1 MAPK Signaling Pathway

Scientists discovered a short chain of amino acids called MCIDP that dramatically increases spore production in rice blast fungus. This fungus causes one of the most destructive diseases affecting rice crops worldwide, with losses ranging from 10-50% depending on severity. The researchers found that MCIDP works by activating specific cellular signaling pathways that control the fungus’s reproduction. This discovery could lead to new strategies for controlling rice blast disease and protecting rice crops from infection.

Read More »

Antifungal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on Fusarium equiseti phytopathogen isolated from tomato plant in Nepal

Researchers in Nepal developed a natural way to fight tomato plant diseases by creating tiny zinc oxide nanoparticles from tea leaves. These nanoparticles successfully stopped the growth of a harmful fungus called Fusarium equiseti that was damaging tomato crops. Unlike chemical fungicides that can harm the environment, this eco-friendly approach damaged the fungus’s cell structures without posing risks to surrounding ecosystems, offering farmers a safer way to protect their crops.

Read More »

Inhibition of RNase to Attenuate Fungal-Manipulated Rhizosphere Microbiome and Diseases

Fusarium fungi cause major crop diseases by using a protein called Fg12 that kills helpful bacteria in plant roots, making it easier for the fungus to infect crops. Scientists discovered that a compound called GMP blocks Fg12’s harmful activity and restores beneficial bacteria, reducing disease symptoms in soybeans and alfalfa by 47-75%. This discovery offers a new chemical strategy to protect crops from fungal infections by disarming this key fungal weapon.

Read More »

Impact of Various Essential Oils on the Development of Pathogens of the Fusarium Genus and on Health and Germination Parameters of Winter Wheat and Maize

Researchers tested whether essential oils from common herbs like thyme, sage, and cumin could protect wheat and corn seeds from fungal diseases. Thyme oil worked best at killing the harmful fungi, but it also slowed down seed sprouting. The study suggests these natural oils could replace chemical fungicides in farming, though farmers need to carefully choose which oil and how much to use.

Read More »
Scroll to Top