{"title":"First report of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australasiaticum’ strain associated with phyllody and virescence of Allmania nodiflora","authors":"Natesan Boopathi, Gandhi Karthikeyan, R.K. Mohana Pradeep, Kathiresan Sivagnananpazham","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102777","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102777","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Suspected phytoplasma symptoms of virescence and phyllody were noticed on <em>Allmania nodiflora</em> (node flower) plants in a groundnut ecosystem located at Salem, Tamil Nadu, India during February 2025. To investigate the possible presence of phytoplasmas, total DNA was extracted from symptomatic and asymptomatic plant tissues and further subjected to nested PCR assays with phytoplasma universal primers which produced an amplicon of 1.2 kbp. The <em>sec</em>A gene was also amplified by using semi-nested PCR assay which generated an amplicon of ∼480 bp. The sequence analysis revealed that the 16S rRNA and <em>sec</em>A gene sequences shared 99–100 % identity with strains of ‘<em>Candidatus</em> Phytoplasma australasiaticum’ (16SrII-D) subgroup. This study presents the first host report of ‘<em>Ca.</em> P. australasiaticum’ infecting <em>A. nodiflora</em> plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102777"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144253721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fathy E. El-Gebaly , Wenzi Ckurshumova , Jun Liu , Michael Fefer , Evan C. Krysmanski , Robin K. Cameron
{"title":"Development of a rapid screen to identify formulations that enhance plant resistance to viral infection","authors":"Fathy E. El-Gebaly , Wenzi Ckurshumova , Jun Liu , Michael Fefer , Evan C. Krysmanski , Robin K. Cameron","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102783","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102783","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A screening method was developed to identify formulations that enhance plant resistance to viral infection. A modified Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) genome with green fluorescent protein (TRV-GFP) was delivered into <em>Nicotiana benthamiana</em> cells using <em>Agrobacterium tumefaciens</em>. Subjective scales based on TRV-GFP fluorescence in inoculated and systemic leaves were created and validated by examining TRV coat protein expression using RT-PCR. This rapid 7-day <em>Agrobacterium</em>-TRV-GFP/<em>N. benthamiana</em> screen was used to test many formulations containing sodium magnesium chlorophyllin (Mg-chl) with various surfactants. Treatment with Mg-chl formulation 1 and 2 resulted in significant reductions in TRV-GFP levels in <em>N. benthamiana</em> inoculated and systemic leaves compared to mock-treated plants, without causing phytotoxic effects. Given that Mg-chl is activated by light to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> levels were examined and shown to increase in Mg-chl-treated leaves. Elevated H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> levels may have initiated Salicylic acid (SA)- and Jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated resistance pathways as supported by expression of <em>N.benthamiana Pathogenesis-Related1</em> (<em>NbPR1</em>) and <em>N.benthamiana Myelocytomatosis</em> transcription factor (<em>NbMYC2)</em> in formulation-treated leaves. Treatment with formulations 1 and 2 also provided resistance in <em>Nicotiana tabacum</em> leaves to Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). Given that the JA pathway gene <em>NbMYC2</em> was expressed in response to Mg-chl treatment, resistance to necrotrophic pathogens or insects may also be enhanced. Treatment with Mg-chl formulation 1 and 2 conferred resistance to TRV-GFP in <em>N. benthamiana</em> and TMV in <em>N. tabacum</em> without causing phytotoxic effects, indicating these formulations are ideal candidates for commercialization as plant immunity stimulators.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102783"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144231582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sophie Richter , Monika Höfer , Henryk Flachowsky , Anne Bohr , Sascha Buchleither , Thomas Debener , Andreas Peil , Thomas Wöhner
{"title":"Genome-wide association studies identify genetic loci for apple blotch symptom development","authors":"Sophie Richter , Monika Höfer , Henryk Flachowsky , Anne Bohr , Sascha Buchleither , Thomas Debener , Andreas Peil , Thomas Wöhner","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102785","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102785","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Apple blotch disease caused by <em>Diplocarpon coronariae</em> poses a significant threat to apple production, particularly in low-input production systems. The fungus spreads on leaves, resulting in symptoms such as chlorosis, necrosis, premature defoliation and fruit spots, which severely reduce the yield when infestation occurs in early summer. Apple cultivars are susceptible to apple blotch; however, differences in susceptibility have been identified, as symptom development differs in a temporal manner. Apple blotch symptom progression data from laboratory experiments of 555 apple cultivars was used to conduct a genome-wide association study for the identification of regions in the apple genome associated to symptom delay. This study identified SNP markers associated with a delay in symptom development, with strong significant associations on chromosome 12, as well as on chromosomes 3, 13, and 16. The high heritability of the analyzed traits and the association of the genetic markers with several phenotypic traits highlight the potential for marker-assisted selection for this disease. These results support the development of sustainable breeding strategies for disease-resistant apple cultivars.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102785"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144271297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fusarium Head Blight management with nanotechnology: Advances and future prospects","authors":"Marzieh Alikarami, Hossein Saremi","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102782","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102782","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is a devastating fungal disease affecting wheat, barley, and other cereals, leading to significant yield losses and grain contamination with mycotoxins, particularly deoxynivalenol (DON). This contamination poses severe risks to food safety, livestock health, and global trade. Conventional management strategies, such as fungicide applications, crop rotation, and the use of resistant cultivars, have shown limited effectiveness due to environmental constraints, pathogen adaptation, and regulatory restrictions. Nanotechnology has emerged as a groundbreaking approach for FHB management, offering innovative solutions through antimicrobial nanoparticles (NPs), nano-enabled fungicide delivery systems, host resistance induction, and mycotoxin detoxification. Metal-based NPs such as silver (AgNPs), copper (CuNPs), and zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) exhibit potent antifungal activity by disrupting fungal cell membranes, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), and interfering with critical metabolic pathways. Advanced nanocarrier-based delivery systems (including liposomes, polymeric NPs, nanoemulsions, and nanogels) enhance fungicide stability, bioavailability, and controlled release, thereby improving disease control efficacy, while minimizing off-target effects. In recent years, the development of smart and responsive nanocarriers, spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS), enzyme-functionalized NPs, and CRISPR/Cas systems have further expanded the scope of nano-enabled strategies, offering promising tools for precision and sustainable FHB control. Additionally, silica (SiO<sub>2</sub>) and chitosan-based nanomaterials function as elicitors of systemic acquired resistance (SAR), activating plant immune responses and reinforcing structural defenses against FHB infection. To mitigate mycotoxin contamination, graphene oxide (GO) and clay-based NPs effectively adsorb and neutralize DON, reducing its bioavailability and toxicity. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in balancing NP efficacy with environmental safety, necessitating biodegradable designs and field-optimized formulations. Field trials, multi-omics approaches, and interdisciplinary research are increasingly important to translate laboratory findings into practical agricultural solutions. Therefore, future research should prioritize the development of biodegradable, eco-compatible NPs, optimize their application under field conditions, and conduct comprehensive environmental risk assessments. The integration of nanotechnology into FHB management represents a transformative step toward sustainable and efficient disease control strategies, reducing reliance on chemical fungicides and enhancing global food security.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102782"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144231471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Ramya Sree , Sanjay K. Singh , Jai Prakash , Chavlesh Kumar , Gyan P. Mishra , Aundy Kumar , Amitha Mithra Sevanthi , R. Megha
{"title":"A multi-season analysis for GxE interactions and identification of resistant grape genotypes for powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator (Schw.) Burrill.) using AMMI, GGE and MTSI analysis","authors":"M. Ramya Sree , Sanjay K. Singh , Jai Prakash , Chavlesh Kumar , Gyan P. Mishra , Aundy Kumar , Amitha Mithra Sevanthi , R. Megha","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102781","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102781","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Powdery mildew (PM) caused by <em>Erysiphe necator</em> (Schw.) Burrill is one of the most important constraints in enhancing grapevine productivity. The study focused on identifying stable and highly resistant grapevine genotypes against PM across multiple environments, while assessing conditions favouring optimal trait expression. Forty-two genotypes were evaluated over three consecutive seasons (2021–2023) using disease severity index (DSI), morphological and biochemical analysis. Resistant genotypes, such as <em>Vitis parviflora</em>, Pusa Navrang and <em>V. jacquemontii</em> exhibited lower stomatal density, increased leaf thickness and enhanced antioxidant activities. Significant G × S interactions were employed using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction and genotype (AMMI) and genotype-environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis based on disease severity index data. The estimation of stability indices, <em>i.e.</em> WAASB is used for selecting highly resistant genotypes. The multi-trait stability index (MTSI) method in evaluating 18 traits highlighted <em>V. parviflora</em>, Chardonnay, 110 Richter, Pusa Navrang and Male hybrid as the most promising genotypes. These genotypes exhibited lower DSI and no notable changes in photosynthetic pigments in diseased leaves. High heritability of PAL, PPO and total phenols underscores their potential as key targets for selection. Similarly, high heritability of the DSI (81–93 %) confirms a strong genetic basis, with <em>V. parviflora</em>, 110 Richter, Pusa Navrang and Male Hybrid emerging as the most stable resistant genotypes. These genotypes were identified as stable performers under natural PM pressure and could serve as candidates for breeding programs, enabling the development of resistant grape cultivars and thus reducing the need for fungicide use in disease-prone regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102781"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144221615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xinru Wang , Yun Peng , Yumeng Song, Juan Hua, Shihong Luo
{"title":"Rhizospheric ginsenosides released from roots infected with root rot improve infectivity of pathogenic Fusarium fungi in ginseng","authors":"Xinru Wang , Yun Peng , Yumeng Song, Juan Hua, Shihong Luo","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102780","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102780","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Root rot caused by infection with pathogenic fungi is a major disease of cultivated ginseng. In this study, we analyzed microbial diversity and found that the abundance of fungi of the genus <em>Fusarium</em> was the highest in the samples of ginseng with root rot from Tonghua, accounting for 29.84 ± 14.76 % of the total diversity. Eight strains of pathogenic <em>Fusarium</em> spp. fungi were isolated and identified, of which <em>F</em><em>.</em> <em>verticillioides</em> ga-10 exhibited the strongest infectivity. Ginsenosides Rb<sub>1</sub>, Rd, Rg<sub>2</sub>, Rg<sub>1</sub>, and Re were found using UPLC-MS/MS analyses to be abundant in the rhizospheric soil of ginseng suffering from root rot. Using a nutrient co-culture method, we demonstrated that the ginsenoside Rb<sub>1</sub> had a significant inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth of <em>F</em>. <em>vanettenii</em> ga-2 at 256 μg/mL. Using a non-nutritive co-culture method, we found that ginsenosides Rb<sub>1</sub>, Rd, Rg<sub>1</sub>, Rg<sub>2</sub>, and Re all promoted the spore germination of <em>F</em>. <em>oxysporum</em> ga-11, and the ginsenosides Rd and Rg<sub>1</sub> promoted spore germination in <em>F</em>. <em>solani</em> ga-3 and <em>F</em>. <em>vanettenii</em> ga-13, respectively. In addition, the ginsenosides Rd, Rg<sub>1</sub>, Rg<sub>2</sub>, and Re all promoted spore germination in the most virulent strain ga-10. Ginseng is therefore able to exhibit a certain defensive ability against pathogenic fungi through the release of ginsenosides, however, <em>Fusarium</em> spp. can adapt to and use these ginsenosides. This study provides evidence for ginsenosides as the indicative substances of pathogenic fungal infection in ginseng roots.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102780"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144221616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yachana Jha , Heba I. Mohamed , Haiam O. Elkatry , Abdelrahman R. Ahmed
{"title":"Harnessing biologically synthesized nanomaterials for their antimicrobial potential in crop protection","authors":"Yachana Jha , Heba I. Mohamed , Haiam O. Elkatry , Abdelrahman R. Ahmed","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102779","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102779","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global agriculture faces unprecedented challenges due to the increasing frequency of climate change, which is leading to continuously declining crop yields. Simultaneously, the growing world population is impacting food demand. Crop growth and yield are negatively affected by rising biotic stress in agriculture. Biotic stress stems from various organisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, insects, nematodes, and mites, that exploit the biological systems of host plants. A cost-effective, non-toxic, and eco-friendly means of obtaining nanoparticles (NPs) is through biological acquisition techniques. This paper not only offers a thorough explanation of biological agents such as plants, algae, bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and yeast, but also presents recent data on several strategies for obtaining nanoparticles. Compared to physical, chemical, and biological methods of producing nanoparticles, the biological approach provides significant advantages, such as non-toxicity and environmental friendliness, which support its extensive use in agricultural applications. The active nanomaterials used in crop protection include metallic nanoparticles like gold, silver oxide, zinc oxide, copper oxide, and titanium oxide. The unique properties of nanomaterials—like their high specific surface area, uniform particle size, and excellent biocompatibility—enhance the effectiveness and stability of agricultural chemicals, provide effective and selective methods for crop protection, and offer potential for further improvements. This review highlights the transformative potential of NPs in plant health and crop disease management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102779"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144241680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammad Danish , Mohammad Shahid , Mohammad Abul Farah , Khalid Mashay Al-Anazi , Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed , Heba I. Mohamed , Lukman Ahamad
{"title":"CuO-ZnO nanocomposites mitigate root-knot nematode stress in Vigna radiata by enhancing physiological and antioxidant defense responses","authors":"Mohammad Danish , Mohammad Shahid , Mohammad Abul Farah , Khalid Mashay Al-Anazi , Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed , Heba I. Mohamed , Lukman Ahamad","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102776","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102776","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><strong><em>Meloidogyne incognita</em></strong> is a major root-knot nematode causing severe crop damage globally. Chemical nematicides are widely used for its control, despite environmental and health concerns. In this study, the nano-pesticidal efficacy of CuO-ZnO nanocomposites synthesized from <em>Catharanthus roseus</em> (L.) leaf extract was evaluated against <em>M. incognita</em> infested greengram. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the nanocomposite revealed that the CuO and ZnO nanoparticles in CuO-ZnO nanocomposites exhibited crystallite sizes of approximately 23 and 25 nm, respectively. FTIR spectroscopy identified various aromatic and aliphatic chemicals, proteins, and metal-oxygen bonds. Scanning electron microscopy images showed spherical ZnO nanoparticles dispersed over polygonal CuO surfaces. <em>In vitro</em>, results demonstrated that CuO-ZnO nanocomposites at 50 ppm and 100 ppm caused 68 % and 85 % juvenile mortality and inhibited egg hatching by 71.5 % and 87.1 %, respectively. Pot experiments indicated that 100 ppm of CuO-ZnO nanocomposites significantly enhanced root length (192 %), biomass (226 %), chlorophyll (87.3 %), carotenoids (103 %), leaf nitrogen (82 %), protein (81 %), and pod yield (56.6 %) compared to nematode-infected controls. Additionally, nanocomposites improved gas exchange traits such as stomatal index, frequency, and aperture in treated plants. Antioxidant enzyme activities, including peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were considerably increases in treated plants when compared with nematode inoculated controls. Nematode parameters, including gall and egg mass numbers and root-knot index (RKI), were significantly reduced. In conclusion, CuO-ZnO nanocomposites effectively manage root-knot nematodes and improve plant health, offering a promising eco-friendly alternative to conventional nematicides.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102776"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144221617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
José Fábio Ferreira de Souza , Kevison Romulo da Silva França , Mayra Machado de Medeiros Ferro , Jaqueline Figueredo de Oliveira Costa , Iraildes Pereira Assunção , Gaus Silvestre de Andrade Lima , Francisco de Alcântara Neto , Kedma da Silva Matos , Maruzanete Pereira de Melo
{"title":"Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Lasiodiplodia brasiliensis associated with dieback and canker in cupuaçu trees (Theobroma grandiflorum) in Brazil","authors":"José Fábio Ferreira de Souza , Kevison Romulo da Silva França , Mayra Machado de Medeiros Ferro , Jaqueline Figueredo de Oliveira Costa , Iraildes Pereira Assunção , Gaus Silvestre de Andrade Lima , Francisco de Alcântara Neto , Kedma da Silva Matos , Maruzanete Pereira de Melo","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102759","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102759","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cupuaçu (<em>Theobroma grandiflorum</em>) is a tropical fruit tree native to Northern Brazil. For decades, dieback symptoms have been observed in cupuaçu trees, leading to significant reductions in productivity. Between 2019 and 2020, during phytosanitary surveys conducted in orchards across the states of Acre and Amazonas, fungal isolates belonging to the <em>Botryosphaeriaceae</em> family were collected from the wood tissues of symptomatic plants. Based on morphological and multigenic analyses (<em>TEF1-α</em>, ITS, and <em>TUB2</em>), the isolates were classified as <em>Lasiodiplodia theobromae</em> and <em>L. brasiliensis</em>. Disease incidence was estimated at 15 % among plants showing canker and dieback symptoms, from which 20 isolates were obtained. Seven representative isolates from three distinct geographic regions were selected for species identification and pathogenicity testing. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis revealed that four isolates clustered with the reference strain of <em>L. theobromae</em>, while three clustered with <em>L. brasiliensis</em>. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that both species were capable of inducing canker symptoms and dark lesions on wood tissues. This study is the first report of <em>L. theobromae</em> and <em>L. brasiliensis</em> causing dieback and canker on cupuaçu trees in Brazil.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102759"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144196065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"From infection to resistance: A comprehensive review on false smut (Ustilaginoidea virens) and its impact on rice","authors":"V. Preeti Kumari , Manonmani Swaminathan , Ramalingam Suresh , Chellappan Gopalakrishnan , Muthurajan Raveendran , Mannu Jayakanthan","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102758","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102758","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Ustilaginoidea virens</em>, the causative agent of rice false smut (RFS), has become a globally significant pathogen, infecting rice during the booting stage by targeting floral tissues and forming smut balls that reduce yield and grain quality. It also produces mycotoxins, posing health risks to humans and animals. Fungicide resistance and the pathogen's unique infection strategy complicate management, prompting intensified research into host-pathogen interactions and sustainable control measures. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the biology, infection dynamics, and host interactions of <em>U. virens</em>, focusing on its unconventional pathogenic mechanisms and the heightened vulnerability of rice floral tissues. It uniquely emphasizes host resistance's molecular and biochemical underpinnings, exploring how the pathogen modulates host pathways and how rice plants mount structural and chemical defenses. The review also discusses recent advances in genetic resistance, including QTL identification, resistance screening parameters, and the integration of resistance genes into breeding programs. By highlighting promising donor sources and outlining future research directions, this review serves as a critical resource for developing sustainable and targeted strategies to mitigate the RFS impact.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102758"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144205306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}