Articles tagged with Plant Diseases
A study found that palm phytoplasmas in Florida were transmitted by the American palm cixiid bug, originating from Jamaica. The research revealed a network of movement across the Caribbean basin, with distinct groups of insects found in different countries.
Scientists found that rain-borne microbes can successfully colonize plants' aboveground microbial communities, protecting them from stressors. The study suggests that rain is a potentially important reservoir for phyllosphere bacteria, which could be used to improve plant health.
A study found that climate change and drought are shifting the range of infectious disease in forests suffering from white pine blister rust disease. The disease expanded its range into higher-elevation forests while contracting it in lower elevations, where conditions were too hot and dry.
Researchers identified a key mechanism by which Xanthomonas bacteria infect crops, allowing them to hijack plant immune systems. Understanding this process is crucial for developing methods to prevent bacterial infections and produce crop-resistant varieties.
Citrus canker has reappeared in Texas after a 70-year absence, threatening the state's $200M commercial citrus industry. Collaborative eradication efforts are underway between the USDA, Texas Department of Agriculture, and universities to prevent further spread.
Cornell University researchers used facial recognition AI to develop an imaging robot called BlackBird that scans grape leaf samples automatically, reducing manual assessment time from six months to one day. The technology has the potential to save farmers billions of dollars by detecting disease early and reducing fungicide usage.
A team of researchers from the University of York has identified a new class of enzymes that enable crop pathogens to break through plant cell walls and infect plants. The discovery could lead to effective disease control technologies and protect crops from devastating diseases such as potato late blight.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a wearable sensor that monitors plant stress and disease in a noninvasive way by measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants. The system can alert users to specific problems, allowing growers to identify issues quickly and limit the spread of diseases.
UC Riverside researchers have decoded the genome of a benign infection, potentially sending medicine into citrus trees. The discovery could harness its unique properties to deliver antibacterial and antiviral agents into plants' vascular systems.
Researchers re-animated a 70-year-old fungus that causes coffee wilt to understand its evolution and spread. By studying the fungus's genes, they identified how it acquired traits to infect specific coffee varieties, shedding light on potential prevention methods.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed new peanut varieties that combine the genetic diversity of wild relatives with the desirable traits of modern peanuts. The new lines are resistant to diseases such as leaf spot and root-knot nematode, and offer improved sustainability for farmers.
Researchers discovered that the ZAR1 resistosome forms pentameric oligomers in plant cell membranes, triggering sustained calcium ion influx and immune signaling events. This activation initiates cell death and is dependent on the activity of the calcium-permeable ion channel.
A recent study found that silencing SDIR1 reduces growth of host-specialized and nonhost Pseudomonas syringae strains, while overexpressing it enhances disease resistance to both biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens. Higher levels of ABA and jasmonic acid are also detected in SDIR1-overexpression plants.
Scientists have identified 35 species of pepper in the Capsicum family, including five domesticated species. The study found that breeding compatibility between species was not linked to their genetic relationship, and four previously characterised species were reclassified.
A study found that a plant's evolutionary history predicts its susceptibility to powdery mildew disease. Researchers tested 126 sunflower species and found no association with common traits like biomass or trichome density.
An international team has developed a cassava variety with high-level resistance to two devastating diseases and higher levels of iron and zinc. The research builds on previous work demonstrating that increasing mineral content in cassava storage roots is possible using RNAi-mediated technology.
A new study reveals how a bacterial pathogen manipulates host senescence to cause citrus greening disease. Researchers identified an effector that promotes bacterial colonization and disease development in citrus.
A study in Plant Health Progress identified Fusarium flower blight and Helminthosporium leaf spot as prominent diseases in southeastern US hemp production. The research also found nutritional deficiencies, toxicities, and issues with excess water and herbicide injuries.
A team of plant pathologists compiled annual corn reduction data from 26 US states and Ontario, Canada, revealing significant regional variations in disease impact. The analysis provides a broader view of diseases affecting corn production in the region.
A recent study has clarified the life history of the devastating plant pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae, revealing a complex life cycle with a previously unknown sexual stage. The research provides fundamental insights into the pathogen's biology and its interactions with host plants.
A team of plant pathologists developed a comprehensive guide for diagnosing cucurbit downy mildew, caused by the obligate pathogen Pseudoperonospora cubensis. The guide provides written and graphic material to help identify symptoms and diagnose the disease using DNA testing and microscopy.
The new database covers 219 pathogens that infect plants in Brazil, including many agriculturally important species. It presents information on diseases caused by the viruses and their occurrence in native, cultivated, and ornamental plants.
Using a weather-based decision support system can significantly improve Cercospora leaf spot control in table beet by reducing unnecessary fungicide applications. The approach also helps minimize the risk of resistance development due to single-site modes of action.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists will use data from NASA's Earth Observing Satellites to identify areas of potential disease and track plumes of dust that traverse the globe. By predicting the origins and landing spots of specific pathogens, farmers can be advised on practices to avoid increasing their spread.
Researchers at Oregon State University have found that the order of microorganisms colonizing plants has a significant impact on microbiome composition and disease susceptibility. This discovery could provide farmers with important tools to combat plant diseases and maintain crop diversity.
A new fungal pathogen causing bitter rot disease in New York state apples has been identified, along with a second related fungus found in other fruits. The discovery highlights the need for effective management strategies to mitigate losses up to 25% per year in affected orchards.
Scientists have found that cell wall extracts from immune-active plants can trigger plant immunity and disease resistance, providing a new approach to protecting crops against pathogens and pests. This breakthrough discovery could lead to the development of simple, sustainable, and effective treatments to reduce crop losses.
Researchers paired hyperspectral sensors with machine learning and molecular assays to differentiate between late blight clonal lineages. They found that accuracy increased at early stages of infection before symptoms appeared, suggesting a link to pre-symptomatic effector expression differences.
The Verticillium wilt disease is a complex interaction between multiple microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria, and protozoa, that attack the olive tree. The infection process involves a community of microorganisms, with beneficial fungi turning harmful to the plant.
Researchers created a novel microneedle technology that can target plant tissues for delivering life-saving treatments to crops ravaged by diseases. The method uses silk-based biomaterials and drug-delivery devices to precisely access plant vasculature.
A recent study on fungal diseases in Åland found that roadsides are a primary source of powdery mildew fungi, which can spread efficiently through the air. The researchers used advanced statistical methods to identify complex mechanisms in nature and shed light on how diseases transmit and evolve.
Researchers discovered that potato plants are most susceptible to infection during the first three weeks of the growing season, leading to reduced tuber yield and quality. This age-related resistance mechanism suggests that management programs should focus on early stages of potato development to protect crops.
The Fundamental Aspects of Plant Viruses focus issue in New Phytopathology emphasizes recent breakthroughs in understanding plant viruses and their impact on agriculture. The issue features studies on virus-host and vector interactions, replication, and pathogenicity, shedding light on disease development and horizontal transmission.
Stemphylium leaf blight has emerged as the most dominant foliar disease in New York onion crops, causing lesions that lead to loss of green leaf area and potentially affecting bulb size and quality. The re-emergence of SLB is attributed to fungicide resistance, leading to its removal from commercial production.
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.
A new study has discovered a way to identify disease-resistance genes in cacao trees, which could lead to the development of more sustainable farming systems and improved crop yields. The method uses genome sequencing to rapidly identify resistant genotypes and provides insights into the genetic diversity of cacao trees.
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 multi-state experiment will investigate the impact of planting cover crops on plant disease, pests, and weeds. Alison Robertson's research suggests terminating rye cover crops can increase corn seedling disease risk if planted too quickly.
Aarhus University researchers have found that ants inhibit at least 14 different plant diseases through the secretion of antibiotics and pheromones. The discovery has sparked hope for new biological control agents in agriculture, which could be used to combat resistant plant diseases.
Researchers discovered that certain soil microbes can make plants more resistant to an aggressive disease, such as bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. The study found that rare taxa and pathogen-suppressing bacteria are associated with healthy plant microbiomes.
Researchers have sequenced the microbiome within crown gall tumors of grapevines, providing a database to assess disease stage and paving the way for new advances to combat the debilitating disease. The study sheds light on the complex interaction between the grapevine and its microbial community.
A new study has found that systematic eradication of plants contaminated with the cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) can keep passion fruit orchards producing for at least 25 months. The technique, known as roguing, involves removing weak or diseased plants to prevent the spread of the disease. In experiments conducted in Brazil, ...
Researchers catalogued plant surveillance tools to detect disease-causing microbes across an entire species, providing a blueprint for disease surveillance. The findings have major implications for agriculture and plant evolution, highlighting the importance of genetic diversity in understanding a plant's immune system.
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.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a portable technology that can identify plant diseases in the field by analyzing airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The device, which can be plugged into a smartphone, works by measuring the type and concentration of VOCs released by plants to determine if they are diseased.
CABI aims to gather sufficient data to act as evidence for prioritizing research and policy in plant health. The initiative will provide accurate information for decision makers to allocate resources between diseases, enabling investment in plant health systems.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new microneedle technique for rapid plant disease detection, extracting DNA from plant tissues in under a minute. The method promises to revolutionize on-site plant disease detection and diagnosis.
A new study predicts that Ash dieback will have a devastating impact on the UK's economy, with estimated costs of £15 billion over the next decade. The disease is expected to kill 95-99% of ash trees in Britain, leading to significant losses in ecosystem services such as water and air purification and carbon sequestration.
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.
Researchers have identified a fungal compound that may inhibit the causative bacteria of citrus greening disease, which has reduced juice orange yields by half in the last 15 years. The compound, radicinin, was isolated and purified from a fungus that inhibits the growth of the bacteria.
A new high-throughput sequencing technique enables quick diagnosis of viruses like Ebola and Zika in the field, avoiding sample transfer. The technology has been validated in plant virology, paving the way for real-time detection of chronic or emerging plant viruses.
A new disease is killing beech trees in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada, causing dark-green bands on leaves and leading to tree death. Researchers are searching for a microbe or insect cause, using molecular techniques to compare DNA and RNA from diseased and healthy trees.
A UK-wide consortium led by the John Innes Centre aims to enhance surveillance and response to Xylella fastidiosa, a devastating bacterial plant pathogen. The £4.85m BRIGIT programme will improve diagnosis and detection methods, identify potential factors for its spread, and prepare to minimize its impact on the UK.
Virginia Tech professors Shane Ross and Traian Iliescu receive NSF grant to create a computational model-based simulation that quickly predicts contaminant spread. The research aims to improve forecasts of disaster response operations, minimizing environmental damage and costs.
Researchers discovered a gene, SRG1, that boosts plant defense against bacterial and viral infections. Higher levels of defence proteins enabled more resistant crops, with potential applications in reducing crop losses worldwide.
A previously unknown pathogenic fungus, Liberomyces pistaciae, has been isolated from pistachio trees in Sicily, causing cankers and decline. The fungus is characterized by vascular necrosis and tree collapse, and its presence was detected in asymptomatic trees, suggesting a dormant growth phase.
Scientists at UC Davis have identified molecular markers that influence the onset of Pierce's disease in grapevines. These markers can help diagnose the disease early and increase plant health, providing a more sustainable alternative to insecticides.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to introduce genetic mutations into cacao plants, resulting in enhanced disease resistance. The study suggests that a fraction of the targeted gene's copies may be sufficient to trigger systemic disease resistance.