Articles tagged with Plant Pathology
Heather Kelly, a UTIA plant pathologist, has been selected as a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar to collaborate with researchers in Brazil. She will use advanced technologies to model soybean disease epidemics and predict potential threats to Tennessee row crop production.
A microscopic atlas reveals how citrus Huanglongbing disease develops over time, causing phloem cell death and callose deposition in leaves and fruit tissues. Roots experience starch depletion, driving root decay and nutrient deficiencies.
A new study has identified a hormone-linked switch in tea plants that helps them withstand cold temperatures. The BRI1-EMS-Suppressor 1 (BES1) family transcription factor CsBES1-14 directly activates the cold-regulated protein CsCOR413, strengthening membrane stability and antioxidant capacity.
Wild plants offer valuable insights into adapting to disease, with research showing how plants evolve defenses against pathogens. This knowledge can inform more effective management of crop diseases, contributing to a better understanding of disease ecology and environmental threats.
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University has discovered a group of genetically stable viruses that infect an important plant pathogen. The findings suggest that these viruses could be used as tools to fight crop disease, and highlight the need for further research into viral diversity and evolution in agricultural set...
New research reveals gray mold's unique approach to attacking plants, sensing chemical defenses and flavors to adjust its attack accordingly. This understanding could shift disease prevention strategies, allowing for more effective use of genetic or chemical countermeasures.
A new study estimates that corn diseases cost US farmers $13.8 billion from 2020 to 2023, resulting in reduced yields of 2.5 billion bushels. The top disease-causing pathogens were tar spot, Fusarium stalk rot, and plant-parasitic nematodes.
Researchers tracing the journey of Phytophthora infestans, a plant destroyer behind Ireland's Irish Potato Famine, explore its taxonomy and identification from early microscopy to genomic technologies. Advances in science strengthen efforts to monitor and manage destructive plant diseases.
Researchers found that powdery mildew disease caused by different fungi infects strawberries in North America and Europe differently, indicating the pathogens jumped hosts over millions of years. This discovery can aid understanding of plant diseases and their spread.
Researchers discovered that fungal effector proteins evolved from ancient antimicrobial proteins to weaken host immune systems and manipulate the surrounding microbiome. These findings provide new insights into how fungi attack both hosts and beneficial microorganisms, with potential applications in agriculture and medicine.
Researchers have identified a novel genetic locus in the common agricultural weed Elymus repens that provides significant resistance to Fusarium Head Blight, a destructive fungal disease threatening global food security. The novel Fhb.Er-1StL locus has been successfully transferred into wheat, reducing diseased plant spikelets by up to...
Researchers at John Innes Centre develop rapid seed germination protocol, reducing Ash dieback's impact. This new method has already produced over 2,000 seedlings for trials and research.
Researchers developed a hybrid engine to predict sugar beet disease by combining drone images, weather data, and qPCR-based airborne spore monitoring. The system reduced prediction error by up to 39% and provided accurate forecasts of disease severity.
Researchers discovered that high humidity induces the production of CYP707A3, breaking down ABA and promoting stomata opening to release water. Plants lacking this enzyme are more vulnerable to water-soaking. The study reveals a molecular defense mechanism against water accumulation in plants.
Researchers analyzed 48 isolates of P. griseola and found a potential symbiotic relationship between the fungus and endophytic bacterium Achromobacter xylosoxidans, influencing disease severity. The study sheds light on how the pathogen evolves and may point to new strategies for breeding disease-resistant crops.
Researchers found that the particle size of biochar impacts its effectiveness in controlling soil-borne diseases, with fine biochar acting quickly but losing effectiveness over time. Coarse biochar, on the other hand, provides a slower yet more sustained protective effect by releasing nutrients and organic compounds into the soil.
Researchers at Colorado State University have identified four Fusarium species causing potato dry rot in the San Luis Valley, including one not previously found in the US. This study will help improve disease diagnosis and monitoring, as well as guide cultivar selection and breeding for disease resistance.
Researchers used aeroponic technology to grow pea shoots fortified with Vitamin B12, delivering the recommended daily allowance in a single serving. The fortified crop maintained shelf-life and persisted through cold storage, offering a commercially viable approach to dietary supplementation.
A new international study reveals that the ancestors of modern crop viruses likely emerged before the last Ice Age, affecting both wild and cultivated plants. The viruses, spread by leaf-eating beetles, infect various crops and wild species, posing risks to agriculture and natural ecosystems.
Researchers discover that resistant soybean varieties actively recruit beneficial soil microorganisms to suppress the devastating soybean cyst nematode. These microbes can be transferred to soil to help defend susceptible soybeans, providing a promising new approach for sustainable crop protection.
Researchers at FABI define a conserved subset of Phytophthora RxLR effectors with short linear motifs embedded within folded WY domain cores. This arrangement preserves domain integrity while enabling potential interactions with host immune components, reframing pathogen strategies and challenging SLiM dogma.
Researchers at Colorado State University have found a way to boost plant growth while maintaining its immune system through hormone treatment, showing promise for increasing food production. The approach involves genetically manipulating phytohormone interactions to restore cell division and increase disease resistance.
The new platform at ORNL's APPL facility combines robotics and AI to deliver in-depth insights for plant transformation. Massive datasets generated by the platform are analyzed using AI and ORNL's Frontier exascale supercomputer.
Researchers identify thousands of rapidly evolving receptor-binding proteins, revealing how bacteria can be engineered to deliver proteins into specific human cells. The study provides insights into the evolutionary creativity of bacterial machines and their potential biomedical applications.
Researchers found that Ralstonia's unique exo polysaccharide 1 (EPS-1) film allows the bacteria to spread rapidly through plant xylem vessels, causing rapid wilting. The team used precise measurements of the viscoelastic properties of EPS-1 to understand its role in making Ralstonia a devastating plant killer.
A recently identified tree species in Australia, Rhodamnia zombi, is facing extinction due to myrtle rust, a fungal disease that attacks and kills its young shoots. Researchers are working on finding clean cuttings and propagating them to grow resistant seedlings, which may hold the key to resurrecting the 'zombie' tree.
Researchers have identified novel sources of soybean resistance to cyst nematode that could help protect global soybean production. The study reveals a wealth of previously untapped genetic resistance to SCN by mining deep into soybean genomes.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown interplay between wheat's resistance genes and fungal disease factors. The study found that powdery mildew fungus overcomes resistance by modifying recognized effectors, but a new approach could slow down its development by combining targeted resistance genes.
Researchers discovered that beneficial fungi enhance plant resistance to disease by remodelling the plant cell membrane at pathogen infection sites. This transformation coincides with a significant reduction in pathogen colonisation and offers critical new insights into how plants coordinate defences in complex natural environments.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has partnered with the Indian National Horticulture Board to improve agricultural production in India. The project aims to establish nine clean plant centers in India, providing training in advanced diagnostic methods, virus elimination, and science-based certification systems.
This book provides an in-depth overview of 120 wild vegetable species from India's Western Ghats biodiversity region, covering their morphology, phytochemistry, traditional uses, and nutritional composition. It connects indigenous knowledge with modern plant science to promote the sustainable use of underutilized edible plants.
Researchers have identified Aegilops cylindrica as a powerful genetic reservoir for resistance against the devastating fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. The study reveals novel mechanisms of immune suppression by the pathogen and offers new insights into plant immunity.
A collaborative research team is studying how photosynthetic cells retain 'heat stress memory', a key adaptive mechanism that could help crops withstand intense heat waves. The team aims to decode this process using genome-scale and high-throughput approaches.
Researchers found that foxtail barley can harbor several fungal pathogens, including those causing net blotch, spot blotch, stem rust, stripe rust, and crown rust. The fungus infected up to 100% of the evaluated accessions, with varying degrees of compatibility
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a pioneering biosensor that can detect and track salicylic acid dynamics in living plants. The SalicS1 tool provides fresh insights into how plants coordinate local and systemic defenses against pathogens, with potential applications for improving crop resilience and understandin...
The Jane Silverthorne Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides comprehensive support for groundbreaking research in plant science. The program aims to nurture innovative scientists and foster collaboration between disciplines.
David Stern, a Senior Group Leader at Janelia Research Campus, joins Stowers Institute to uncover new avenues of biology with enormous implications. His lab discovered 'bicycle proteins' that trick plants into growing protective homes for aphids, shedding light on the battle between plants and insects.
Researchers identified two transcription factors, CsNAC17 and CsbHLH62, that enhance tea plant resistance to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The study found that these genes activate the CsRPM1 resistance gene, triggering a hypersensitive reaction and heightened defense against the pathogen.
A new multiyear study reveals wheat disease losses totaling $2.9 billion in the US and Canada between 2018 and 2021. The top three yield-reducing pathogens were fusarium head blight, stripe rust, and leaf rust.
Researchers have discovered that Phytophthora infestans can quickly acquire and lose resistance to mefenoxam, a common fungicide used to manage the disease. The pathogen uses a defense mechanism known as pleiotropic drug resistance, which activates cellular pumps to eject the fungicide.
The third edition of Compendium of Cotton Diseases and Pests features significant updates and new content, including expanded focus on entomology and emerging diseases. Hundreds of new images enhance identification and diagnosis, making it a comprehensive guide for plant pathologists, agronomists, and growers.
The book explores lesser-known plant diseases that influenced human events, drawing from scientific insight and compelling narrative. Written for specialists and curious readers, it offers a new lens on plant pathology and environmental history.
The updated fourth edition of the Laboratory Guide for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria provides simplified identification methods and detailed protocols. The comprehensive volume covers conventional and cutting-edge methods, including molecular, serological, biochemical assays, to accurately identify bacterial plant pathogens.
Three new truffle species have been discovered by researchers, including Leucangium cascadiense, which is native to the Cascadia region and can command high prices in culinary circles. The discovery was made using sniffer dogs and DNA sequencing, revealing a previously unknown relationship between truffles and their host trees.
Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have developed a new way for plants to recognize a wider range of bacterial threats using artificial intelligence. By upgrading their internal immune receptors, plants can now defend against more types of pathogens and reduce the risk of devastating diseases.
Researchers revived historical fungal strains to understand the evolution of fungicide resistance and environmental adaptation in modern agriculture. The study provides critical insights into plant disease dynamics, paving the way for more sustainable agricultural strategies.
A fungal pathogen is causing cassava witches' broom disease to spread rapidly in Brazil and French Guiana, impacting food security and livelihoods. Researchers are racing against time to understand the extent of the threat and find a way to treat or prevent the disease.
Researchers have charted how plant metabolism responds to genetic changes that increase oil production, finding simultaneous increases in both oil and protein content. The study's findings will provide scientists with clues for optimizing biofuel production in plants such as camelina and pennycress.
Researchers developed a method to edit crop plant genes, discovering influence on taste and shape. The technique enables examining thousands of genes, overcoming challenges like genetic redundancy.
Researchers have identified a key player in the development of Fusarium head blight, a devastating disease that severely damages wheat and barley crops worldwide. The discovery of FgTPP1 could lead to the development of genetically engineered disease-resistant grains.
Researchers found cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) infecting plants in southern US states as early as 2006, contradicting the assumption that it emerged more recently. The study used modern data-mining tools to uncover hidden threats and highlights the importance of maintaining accessible databases for disease surveillance.
Researchers at Washington State University identified several wild spinach varieties with resistance to Fusarium wilt, a persistent problem for commercial spinach seed growers. These findings can be used to breed hardier crops through marker-assisted selection, providing a tool for immediate application in breeding programs.
Researchers developed high-resolution risk maps to predict where charcoal rot occurs in soybean fields. The maps use measurable soil characteristics to assess risk across the landscape and identify hotspots for targeted approaches to managing the disease.
A new study confirms copper-based fungicides as a reliable solution for aerial stem rot in potatoes. The research found that copper fungicide treatments consistently slowed disease spread and improved yields over a 10-year period.
The Phytovirome Focus Issue addresses fundamental and translational aspects of phytovirome science, highlighting the transformative role of high-throughput sequencing technologies. Researchers discovered a remarkable diversity of viruses in plants, with complex communities interacting with hosts in both pathogenic and beneficial ways.
A new study published in Science reveals the first molecular events that give wheat immunity against stem rust, a major wheat disease. The findings provide insights into how to engineer wheat with stronger resistance against infection.
Researchers at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg have developed a new avenue to combat the Cucumber mosaic virus by directing the plant's natural defences. The RNA-based active agents have shown high efficacy in laboratory experiments, protecting 80-100% of treated plants from infection.
Researchers have developed ExPOSE, a method that allows for the visualization of plant cells with greater resolution, enabling studies on protein and RNA location, and cellular response. The technique uses protoplasts to overcome cell wall challenges, paving the way for a powerful new toolkit in plant biology.
A study by researchers at the University of Kentucky has found that plant immune responses and human neurological health share common biochemical pathways. This discovery highlights the importance of plant-based diets for essential vitamins and amino acids, and suggests a link between disruptions in amino acid metabolism and human health.
Researchers have identified a key protein responsible for nematode infection in soybeans, paving the way for the development of more resistant crops. By engineering 'decoy' proteins that trick nematodes into cleaving themselves, scientists aim to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and lower agriculture's environmental impact.