Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases

A structurally unique effector shared between Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum is involved in cotton defoliation and virulence on other hosts

Rhizoctonia theobromae isolates causing Vascular-Streak Dieback of Cocoa and Cassava Witches' Broom Disease are likely host-specific, regionally divergent and homothallic

The study investigates Rhizoctonia theobromae isolates from cocoa and cassava diseases, finding host specificity, regional divergence, and homothallism.

Sorting F. graminearum core effector candidates shows multiple fungal proteins that target the wheat cell nucleus during Fusarium Head Blight

This study identifies F. graminearum effector proteins that target wheat nuclear beta-amylase 2 using in silico and in vivo methods, showing a potential strategy for broad-spectrum resistance.

Gene loss dynamics and T3PKS conservation shape the evolution and pathogenicity of Rosellinia necatrix

Genomic insights into Ceratobasidium sp. associated with vascular streak dieback of woody ornamentals in the United States using a metagenomic sequencing approach

The paper uses metagenomic sequencing to analyze 106 symptomatic samples from woody ornamentals in the U.S., identifying 17 high-quality draft genomes of Ceratobasidium sp. associated with vascular streak dieback, revealing genetic differences from related pathogens.

The virulence gene ToxB is both amplified and disrupted by transposons in the wheat pathogen Pyrenophora tritici-repentis

This study identifies transposons as drivers of ToxB gene amplification and disruption in the wheat pathogen Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, explaining its virulence dosage effect.

A conserved fungal transcription factor domain drives protein-protein interactions and necrotrophic effector-mediated virulence in Parastagonospora nodorum

This study investigates the functional domains of the transcription factor PnPf2 in Parastagonospora nodorum, revealing the MHR's role in protein-protein interactions and virulence.

Early occurrence of Teratoramularia rumicicola in Japan: re-identification of historic strain GR1 and its pathogenic effects on Rumex species

This study re-identifies a historic fungal strain as Teratoramularia rumicicola and confirms its pathogenic effects on Rumex species, revealing its early occurrence in Japan.

Uncovering Fusarium species diversity, distribution and pathogenicity associated with cotton-corn rotation fields in recently expanded cotton-growing areas of the Northern High Plains of Texas

This study identifies Fusarium species diversity and pathogenicity in cotton-corn rotation fields in Texas, finding F. solani as the most common species and highlighting potential cross-infection risks between crops.

Distribution and Shared Pathogenicity of Small-Spored Alternaria on Solanaceous Crops in Europe

This study investigates the distribution and pathogenicity of two small-spored Alternaria species in solanaceous crops, finding they are ecologically overlapping and equally pathogenic.

Bioherbicidal activity and host range of Teratoramularia rumicicola strain TR4 isolated from Rumex crispus in Japan

This study identifies a fungal pathogen, Teratoramularia rumicicola strain TR4, that selectively targets Rumex weeds without affecting forage crops, suggesting its potential as a bioherbicide.

Genetic factors driving multi-host infection in a core member of the root mycobiota

The paper identifies a fungal gene encoding a β-1,3-glucanase as a key genetic factor driving multi-host infection in Plectosphaerella cucumerina.

PCR-based specific detection of multiple Nigrospora species causing a banana leaf spot disease

This study develops a PCR-based method to specifically detect multiple Nigrospora species causing banana leaf spot disease, showing high specificity and sensitivity across diverse isolates.

Differential impacts of drought and esca expression on Ascomycota fungi in the trunks and young organs of mature grapevines

This study examines how drought and esca disease affect Ascomycota fungal communities in grapevines, finding distinct impacts on trunk and young organs.

Pathogenic Fusarium verticillioides and Ophiostoma clavatum Associated with Ips acuminatus in Ukraine

This study identifies Ophiostoma clavatum and Fusarium verticillioides associated with Ips acuminatus in Ukraine and evaluates their pathogenicity on pine seedlings.

An Eligibility-Aware Pipeline for Robust ITS Diagnostics in Fungi: A Cacao Case Study with Generalizable Rules

The paper introduces an eligibility-aware pipeline to improve ITS diagnostics in fungi by addressing database incompleteness and primer performance issues, demonstrating its utility in cacao pathosystems.

Pan-genome analyses of 226 finger millet-infecting Magnaporthe oryzae strains from eastern Africa

This study analyzes 226 Magnaporthe oryzae strains infecting finger millet in eastern Africa, revealing genetic differentiation and effector gene variation linked to virulence.

Two morphologically distinct formae speciales in Neonectria magnoliae differ in their virulence on Magnolia family hosts Liriodendron tulipifera and Magnolia fraseri

The paper identifies two morphologically distinct formae speciales of Neonectria magnoliae with different virulence and macroconidia production traits on Magnolia family hosts.

Effect of fungicides and cultivar on cereals to T. afroharzianum ear infection in the field related to fungicide treatment and crop cultivar

This study evaluates the pathogenicity of T. afroharzianum in cereals under field conditions and assesses the effectiveness of fungicide treatments and cultivar resistance.

Etiology and epidemiology of branch dieback and fruit blight and necrosis of English walnut in France

This study identifies fungal species associated with branch dieback and fruit blight in French English walnut orchards and examines environmental and biological factors influencing disease prevalence.

Isolation and Characterization of Potential Pathogenic Fungi Associated with Watermelons in Southwest Mississippi

The paper identifies nine potential pathogenic fungi associated with watermelons in Southwest Mississippi using PCR and sequencing.

Functional Characterization of PCWDEs VdCut1 and VdPL16 Reveals Their Critical Roles in Verticillium dahliae Pathogenicity

This study identifies VdCut1 and VdPL16 as critical PCWDEs in Verticillium dahliae pathogenicity by showing their roles in hyphal growth, conidiation, and plant cell wall degradation.

Diversity of culturable endophytic fungi associated with avocado orchards under organic and conventional management

The paper compares endophytic fungal diversity in organic and conventional avocado orchards, finding higher richness and diversity in organic systems and highlighting local factors' greater influence than management type.

Genomic insights into the virulence repertoire and hemibiotrophic lifestyle of the grapevine black rot pathogen Phyllosticta ampelicida

The paper presents the genome of Phyllosticta ampelicida, revealing its virulence factors and hemibiotrophic lifestyle, and identifies gene family expansions and contractions.

Genomic factors limiting the diversity of Saccharomycotina plant pathogens

The paper identifies genomic factors limiting Saccharomycotina fungi's ability to infect plants, finding they lack metabolic enzymes used by other phytopathogens.

New insight on DNA isolation from single automated recovered Ceratocystis platani conidia

The paper applies single-cell technology to isolate and analyze DNA from Ceratocystis platani conidia, demonstrating its utility for studying plant vascular pathogens.

Tracing spontaneously occurring mutations in Fusarium graminearum laboratory strains resulting in reduced virulence on wheat

The paper identifies mutations in Fusarium graminearum laboratory strains that reduce virulence on wheat, highlighting the need to monitor lab strains for unintended genetic changes.

The telomere-to-telomere genome and lifestyle transcriptome profiling of Discula destructiva Redlin provide modern molecular and genomic context to a historical epidemic

This paper presents the first telomere-to-telomere genome of Discula destructiva and identifies virulence-associated genes linked to sporulation and pathogenicity.

Starship giant transposons dominate plastic genomic regions in a fungal plant pathogen and drive virulence evolution

This study identifies Starship transposons as abundant and virulence-associated elements in Verticillium dahliae, showing their role in horizontal gene transfer and virulence evolution.

Virulence of Fusarium oxysporum strains causing corneal or plant disease is associated with their accessory chromosomes

This study compares two Fusarium oxysporum strains causing human and plant diseases, finding differences in virulence and accessory chromosomes associated with host adaptation.