Researchers compared Lisbon lemon and Washington Navel orange trees using metabolomics and microbiome technologies to understand HLB's impact on root systems. The study found differences in metabolite levels and beneficial bacteria between the two varieties, which may inform preventative and treatment measures.
Researchers accidentally isolate a new species of Phytophthora infecting Fraser fir Christmas trees, highlighting potential biodiversity among the genus. The discovery emphasizes the importance of identifying and understanding plant disease species to protect natural environments and agricultural industries.
Scientists discovered a new protein, Mai1, that plays a central role in plant immunity by linking host recognition of pathogens to defense mechanisms. The protein is involved in activating the cell death response, ensuring only a few host cells die when attacked.
A new online tool called Uniqprimer has been developed to detect blackleg disease in potatoes with high accuracy and ease of use. It quickly designs species-specific DNA tags for detecting pathogens using DNA testing, allowing for accurate pathogen detection and informing farmers' on-farm decision making.
Scientists developed a new simulation tool to analyze the spread of disease in seed systems, identifying key villages for surveillance and management. This approach can be applied to other plant diseases, such as cassava mosaic disease in Southeast Asia.
Recent research found that melanin-producing Streptomyces are better at colonizing plants, offering protection against harmful chemicals and pests. The ability to produce melanin helps microbes survive inside plants.
No-till with cover crop systems have produced higher net returns than conventional till in Texas cotton systems. The practice also improves soil health, water storage, and long-term yield potential.
The most serious threat to the potato industry in the US is Potato Virus Y (PVY), which causes a 70-80% yield loss and necrotic reactions. New strains like PVY N-Wi and NTN have become dominant, making it challenging for diagnostic labs to detect them.
Researchers discovered a chitin-binding protein in the soilborne fungus Verticillium nonalfalfae that abolishes the host plant's chitin-triggered immune response. This finding highlights convergent evolution of similar functions among structurally unrelated fungal effectors.
Researchers have published protocols for culturing Liberibacter crescens, a genetically similar bacterium, to study citrus greening. This advance enables the scientific community to use L. crescens as a realistic surrogate host for Ca. L. asiaticus.
A recent study found that fumigants used to control nematodes in potato cropping systems have very minor effects on soil microbial communities. The research suggested that the average efficacy of these pesticides was estimated at 98% across all nematodes studied.
High crop density and inadequate fungicides contribute to new disease emergence in ready-to-eat salads. Climate change also plays a role, reducing plant resistance to pathogens.
A study by Michigan State University scientists identifies oomycetes as the most abundant seedling pathogens in corn, enabling targeted approaches for disease management. The research has significant implications for breeding hybrids with improved root rot resistance and fungicide sensitivity testing.
Cassava farmers in Tanzania can reduce disease spread by planting susceptible varieties during the long rainy season and disease-resistant ones during the short rainy season. This approach helps minimize quality loss over repeated planting cycles, offering a cost-effective solution for crop production.
A new portable DNA sequencer has been developed to rapidly diagnose wheat viruses with high accuracy. The technology has been tested on four wheat samples from western Kansas and detected three different viruses, including a new strain. This breakthrough has broad applications for plant disease identification and field diagnostics.
Cotton blue disease, caused by Cotton leafroll dwarf virus, was reported in the US for the first time in Alabama in 2017. The disease affected approximately 25% of the state's cotton crop and resulted in a 4% yield loss.
Cotton blue disease, caused by Cotton leafroll dwarf virus, was first reported in the US in 2017. Next-generation sequencing revealed characteristic symptoms, including slowed plant growth and loss of chlorophyll.
A new survey confirms that muscadine grapes are susceptible to parasitic nematodes, which can impact yield and grape quality. The study found seven types of nematodes associated with muscadines in Georgia and North Carolina.
Research reveals that nodulation increases salicylic acid production in pea and Medicago truncatula plants, making them more resistant to powdery mildew. This discovery has significant implications for plant defense and nutrition.
Researchers found that strains predicted to be more sensitive to T6SS were able to coexist with aggressor strains, challenging the traditional assumption of a 'winner-take-all' result. The study suggests that genetics and environmental factors play a significant role in determining competition outcomes.
Scientists genetically modified mycoparasites to express Green Fluorescent Protein, revealing they can live up to 21-days on host plant surfaces without harming the environment. The study showed that these mycoparasites cannot spread in sterile soil or decomposing leaves, addressing concerns about their impact.
A new DNA sequencing method can detect early-stage wheat diseases with high accuracy, addressing the limitations of traditional methods. This portable technology can also identify unknown pathogens and diagnose unexpected diseases, saving time and money in agricultural biosecurity monitoring.
Researchers Sally Taylor and Seth Dorman recommend scouting, threshold-based management, and resistance management strategies to effectively manage tarnished plant bugs in Mid-Atlantic cotton. They emphasize the importance of avoiding planting nearby hosts and using certain varieties to minimize intensive management.
The tarnished plant bug is a significant pest of cotton in North Carolina and Virginia, feeding on reproductive tissues and damaging crops. Effective management strategies include sampling correctly, applying thresholds properly, planting early, and avoiding overfertilizing and overirrigating.
The Fieldprint calculator helps farmers evaluate productivity, profitability, and sustainability across eight metrics. It collects data by asking farmers to answer questions about their management practices, providing analysis relating to biodiversity, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and more.
A team of scientists analyzed microbial communities within sclerotia of soilborne fungal pathogens, discovering specific bacterial communities that produce volatile compounds with the potential to reduce pathogen viability. Combining different beneficial microorganisms can effectively counteract pathogens.
Researchers discovered that resistant poplar trees have higher levels of defense hormones and lower cytokinins. Hormone changes in response to insect feeding are also inherited, providing a model for pest management.
Researchers found two eco-friendly methods to combat Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Disease: using UV-blocking plastics and salicylic acid analogues. These alternative approaches could help farmers reduce damage and improve crop yields without harming the environment.
Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as greening, is a serious plant disease causing bitter and misshapen fruits. Researchers developed a low-cost staining method to identify insect feeding sites and detect the causal agent up to two days after transmission.
A new collaboration between scientists and indigenous tribes in Northern California aims to develop resistance measures for sudden oak death, which poses a threat to the region's cultural heritage. The study published in Phytopathology highlights the importance of involving diverse stakeholders in disease management.
A team of scientists used population genetics to analyze root rot pathogen populations in Michigan greenhouses and found similar populations regardless of plant type or location. The study confirms that infected plant material is likely moved within the state, leading to the development of fungicide-resistant populations.
The use of chloropicrin as a preplant soil treatment measure has been found to suppress soilborne pathogenic fungi and some nematodes and insects. Additionally, it results in greater crop yield and health, with treated soil having a healthier root system, improved water use, and more efficient fertilizer use.
Researchers have discovered powdery mildew on phasey beans in Florida, a species native to tropical Americas. The fungus, Erysiphe fallax, also infects papaya, which could lead to significant financial losses for the industry if left unmanaged.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research reviewed plant population studies to update recommendations. They found that yield is optimized at around 15,000 plants per acre, but there is no yield benefit to high populations.
Researchers have discovered a crucial role for the actin-binding protein MoABp1 in rice blast fungus pathogenesis. This finding sheds new light on eukaryotic cell biology and virulence mechanisms of plant pathogenic fungi, offering potential targets for anti-blast fungus management.
A recent study found that Australian potato cyst nematodes have a single origin, suggesting effective quarantine control measures. Historical specimens were analyzed using modern technologies to determine the pest's introduction and spread in Victoria, Australia.
A new triplex TaqMan assay has been developed to improve the reliability of Xylella fastidiosa diagnostics, targeting two loci for increased specificity. Next-generation sequencing technology was also used to analyze DNA extracts from infected and healthy plants.
A new variety of zebra chip disease has been identified in potatoes grown in the Klamath Basin of southwestern Oregon, posing a significant threat to local potato production. The disease, caused by Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, can result in yield losses of up to 100% and economic damage estimated at millions annually.
The 2018 Mississippi State University Row Crop Short Course presented topics such as nematode management, weed control, off-target movement of herbicides, and the economic outlook for row crops. Presentations are now available online through the "Focus on Cotton" series.
The article presents science-based guidelines for creating a bee-friendly landscape, highlighting the importance of native plants and diverse flower forms. Key findings include non-native plants extending the flowering season and pest-free plants attracting beneficial bees.
A recent study published in Phytobiomes Journal found that corn's bacterial communities play a significant role in its health and performance. The research, led by Dr. Jason Wallace, monitored the active bacteria on the leaves of 300 diverse lines of corn and discovered little relationship between the bacteria and corn genes.
Recent advances in plant seed microbiomes have revealed distinct compositions and beneficial bacteria within seed endophytes. This study provides a basis for developing sustainable alternative inputs in agriculture, such as fertilizers and pesticides.
A recent study found that high levels of inorganic P-fertilizer can reduce microbial functions critical to crop health. Soil microorganisms from treated soils negatively impacted plant yield. The study suggests excessive phosphate fertilizer use may have lasting negative effects on crop productivity.
Researchers analyzed wheat microbiome under conventional, no-till, organic, and reduced chemical inputs management strategies, finding strong effects on microbial communities by wheat plant organ and age. The study provides foundational data for generating synthetic microbiomes to improve crop yields and disease resistance.
Researchers found that sunlight boosts beneficial microorganisms to combat stem end rot in mango fruits. The study reveals a diverse microbial community with both pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms, suggesting new possibilities for agriculture and food industry.
A novel transdisciplinary study has uncovered microbes that may one day deter major grape disease, Pierce's disease. The researchers used next-generation sequencing and modern bioinformatics tools to analyze microbial communities in grapevines, finding a link between beneficial bacteria and reduced disease severity.
Researchers used Next Generation Sequencing to investigate bacterial communities in long-term no-till and conventional tillage plots. The study found dynamic microbial communities influenced by sample location, with different bacteria dominating the rhizosphere and bulk soils.
Researchers have successfully developed a new method to analyze soil microbial communities and their role in the development of Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) disease in soybean. By profiling microbes, scientists found significant differences between healthy and diseased areas, suggesting that biological factors play a key role in determi...
Researchers propose applying ecological theories to improve microbial technology development, aiming for more effective and sustainable agriculture. By identifying underlying ecological mechanisms, treatment communities can be designed to be robust and persistent.
A comprehensive review highlights the potential benefits of non-rhizobia bacteria in nitrogen-fixing nodules of legumes, including improved plant fitness under environmental stress. The study's findings may lead to new organic production practices and reduced pesticide use, promoting sustainable crop productivity.