Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases

Rapid replacement of established by exotic genetic lineages of the fungal maize pathogen Exserohilum turcicum in the Swiss Rhine valley

The paper tracks the replacement of native E. turcicum lineages by exotic tropical lineages in the Swiss Rhine Valley using metagenomic surveys and pooling strategies, showing a shift in population structure over time.

Comparative transcriptomics reveal contrasting fungal strategies in a plant pathogen versus an endophyte during initial host colonization

This study compares transcriptomes of two fungi during conidial germination, showing F. graminearum upregulates genes for CAZymes and effectors, while M. anisopliae upregulates indole-3-acetic acid synthesis genes, reflecting their pathogenic and endophytic lifestyles.

A recombinant hybrid provides insights into gene regulation, pathogenesis and tumorigenesis of phytopathogenic smut fungi

This study uses a recombinant hybrid of two smut fungi to identify gene regulation and virulence factors contributing to pathogenic differences.

Barley disease screening: a multiplex digital droplet PCR approach for the detection of Ramularia collo-cygni, Rhynchosporium graminicola and Pyrenophora teres

This paper develops two digital droplet PCR assays to detect and differentiate three barley pathogens from seeds, achieving sensitive and specific detection at low concentrations.

Revisiting the evolution and function of NIP2 parologs in the Rhynchosporium spp. complex

This study examines the evolution and function of NIP2 paralogs in Rhynchosporium commune, showing their genomic distribution, expression during infection, and potential virulence roles.

Cell cycle controls pathogenic processes and mycotoxin production in Fusarium graminearum

This study shows that disrupting the cell cycle in Fusarium graminearum reduces virulence and pathogenicity by impairing the production of virulence factors.

Gap-free genomes and transcriptomes uncover race-specific effectors in watermelon wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum

The paper presents gap-free genomes of three Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum races, identifies race-specific effectors, and demonstrates one as a critical virulence factor.

Reference-free identification and pangenome analysis of accessory chromosomes in a major fungal plant pathogen

The paper constructs a pangenome variation graph for Fusarium oxysporum to study accessory chromosomes, identifying their variability and evolutionary dynamics.

Transcriptional plasticity of fast core chromosomes governs establishment of a fungal pathogen on evolutionarily distant plant lineages

This study identifies fast core chromosomes in Fusarium oxysporum as critical for pathogenicity across diverse plant hosts, showing conserved transcriptional activation of core effector clusters during infection.

Huge genetic diversity of Schizothecium tetrasporum (Wint.). N. Lundq.: delimitation of 18 species distributed into three complexes through genome sequencing

The paper uses genome sequencing to delimit 18 species within the Schizothecium tetrasporum morpho-species, identifying three complexes based on genetic and breeding system differences.

Chromosome-level genome assemblies for the latent pine pathogen, Diplodia sapinea, reveal two rapidly evolving accessory chromosomes

This study presents chromosome-level genome assemblies of Diplodia sapinea, identifying two accessory chromosomes that show rapid evolution and potential horizontal transfer.

Understanding wood decay diseases in western redcedar through development of ITS-sequencing and qPCR assays

The paper develops ITS-sequencing and qPCR assays to detect and quantify wood-decay fungi in western redcedar, showing high infection and disease incidence rates.

Bulk sample testing by real-time PCR for detecting Diaporthe destruens-infected seedlings of sweet potatoes

This study applies real-time PCR to bulk sample testing for detecting Diaporthe destruens-infected sweet potato seedlings, determining optimal sample sizes based on detection probability.

Evaluation of real-time PCR performance for detecting Diaporthe destruens in sweet potatoes

This study evaluates a real-time PCR method for detecting Diaporthe destruens in sweet potatoes, finding it effective with AUC values between 0.704 and 0.920.

Phylogenetic analysis of pathogenic and non-pathogenic Trichoderma isolates from plants, soil and commercial bio products Short titel: Phylogenetic analysis of pathogenic and non-pathogenic Trichoderma isolates

This study investigates the pathogenicity and phylogenetic relationships of Trichoderma isolates from diverse sources, finding that multiple species can cause maize ear rot and that pathogenicity varies within species.

Long-distance gene flow and recombination shape the evolutionary history of a maize pathogen

This study investigates the evolutionary history of the maize pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola, revealing geographic differentiation, long-distance gene flow, and recombination shaping its global genomic structure.

Cochliobolus miyabeanus species-specific identification using nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS)-encoding genes associated with virulence to rice

The paper identifies virulence-associated genes in Cochliobolus miyabeanus and develops a PCR method to distinguish it from related species.

Differences Among Fungal Microbiomes Associated with Tar Spot of Corn in Ecuador, Guatemala, and Indiana, USA

This study examines geographic variation in the fungal microbiome associated with tar spot of corn across three regions, finding inconsistent associations of fungal species with the disease.

Dispensable genome and segmental duplications drive the genome plasticity in Fusarium solani

The paper analyzes the genome of Fusarium solani strain SB1, revealing that dispensable genome regions and segmental duplications contribute to its genome plasticity and adaptive traits.

Population genomics of Macrophomina spp. reveals cryptic host specialization and evidence for meiotic recombination

The paper uses population genomics to analyze Macrophomina spp. isolates, revealing host specialization and meiotic recombination.

Genomic streamlining of seagrass-associated Colletotrichum sp. may be related to its adaptation to a marine monocot host

This study presents the genome of a seagrass-associated Colletotrichum sp. and finds it has a streamlined genome with fewer genes and gene families compared to related species, possibly linked to its marine ecological niche.

Emergence of sympatric host-specific lineages of the fungal plant pathogen Zymoseptoria passerinii in natural ecosystems

The paper identifies host-specific lineages of Zymoseptoria passerinii in wild and domesticated barley, showing divergence and sympatric emergence.

Population-level whole genome sequencing of Ascochyta rabiei identifies genomic loci associated with isolate aggressiveness

The paper uses whole-genome sequencing of 230 Ascochyta rabiei isolates to identify genetic loci associated with aggressiveness and finds that multiple genetic regions and epigenomic variations contribute to phenotypic variation.

Frequent genetic exchanges revealed by a pan-mitogenome graph of a fungal plant pathogen

This paper constructs a pan-mitogenome graph of nearly 500 Fusarium oxysporum mitogenomes to reveal frequent recombination and genetic variation, challenging the assumption of clonal reproduction.

Natural field diagnosis and molecular confirmation of fungal and bacterial watermelon pathogens in Bangladesh: A case study from Natore and Sylhet district

The paper identifies and confirms fungal and bacterial pathogens causing watermelon diseases in Bangladesh using molecular analysis and highlights their prevalence and environmental influences.

Ophiostomatalean fungi associated with Cyrtogenius luteus infested Pinus massoniana, including characterization of Masuyamyces qingyuanensis sp. nov. in China

The paper identifies and characterizes a new Ophiostomatalean fungal species associated with Cyrtogenius luteus infesting Pinus massoniana in China.

Ophiostomatalean fungi associated with bark beetles infesting Pinus koraiensis, including the description of Ceratocystiopsis fushunensis sp. nov. in China

The paper identifies 206 Ophiostomatales fungal strains from bark beetles in Fushun, describing a new species, Ceratocystiopsis fushunensis.

Identifying the Fusarium species involved in foot rot disease of faba beans in the UK using a combined molecular and microbiological approach

The paper identifies Fusarium species causing foot rot in UK faba beans using molecular and microbiological methods, finding F. oxysporum as the most prevalent pathogen.

Assessing the Incidence and Severity of Field Diseases in Marigold (Tagetes erecta) Cultivation: Results from Jashore District, Bangladesh

The paper surveys marigold diseases in Bangladesh, identifying key pathogens and their incidence and severity in field conditions.

Molecular Identification and Antimicrobial Potential of Endophytic Fungi Against Some Grapevine Pathogens

The paper identifies endophytic fungi from grapevines and evaluates their antimicrobial potential against plant pathogens using molecular and dual culture methods.