Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology最新文献

{"title":"The velvet protein CsVeA regulates asexual and sexual development, stress response, and virulence in the rubber anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum siamense","authors":"Jing Gao,&nbsp;Min Li,&nbsp;Sheng Li,&nbsp;Qiuyu Mu,&nbsp;Xiaoyu Li,&nbsp;Zhiqiang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103169","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103169","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>VeA is a key velvet protein in filamentous fungi, regulating sexual and asexual development as well as secondary metabolism. To investigate the biological function of the velvet protein CsVeA in <em>Colletotrichum siamense</em>, the causal agent of rubber anthracnose, gene deletion mutants of <em>CsveA</em> were generated. Deletion of <em>CsveA</em> resulted in significant pleiotropic defects, including reduced vegetative growth, compromised cell wall integrity (evidenced by increased SDS sensitivity and elevated chitin content), and impaired oxidative stress tolerance. Furthermore, the Δ<em>CsveA</em> mutant displayed delayed conidiation and a complete loss of sexual reproduction, underscoring its essential role in both asexual and sexual developmental pathways. Crucially, these developmental and stress-response deficiencies correlated with markedly attenuated virulence on rubber tree leaves, establishing CsVeA as a critical pathogenicity factor. Subsequent assays demonstrated that CsVeA exerts its regulatory functions by forming a protein complex with CsVelB. This interaction is central to the regulatory network, as phenotypic analysis of the <em>CsveA</em>/<em>CsvelB</em> double-knockout mutant closely mirrored the single <em>CsveA</em> mutant, suggesting that CsVeA acts as the dominant functional component within this complex. Collectively, these findings establish CsVeA as a critical regulator that integrates cell wall integrity, oxidative stress responses, and developmental programs to govern the full virulence of <em>C. siamense</em>, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 103169"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147386023","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":"Comprehending new insights on variability, pathogenesis and pathogenicity factors of Macrophomina phaseolina and host plant defence mechanisms","authors":"V. Ramamoorthy ,&nbsp;B. Meena ,&nbsp;A. Vijayasamundeeswari ,&nbsp;R. Oviya ,&nbsp;P. Anbazhagan ,&nbsp;K.S. Vijai Selvaraj ,&nbsp;A. Bharathi ,&nbsp;V. Shanmugaiah","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103167","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103167","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Macrophomina phaseolina</em> infects mainly roots and stems of several crops as well as leaves, pods and seeds of some crops. Microsclerotia produced by it play an important role in its survival and pathogenesis. It enters root epidermis, crosses cortical tissue, and reaches xylem, where it forms mycelia and sclerotia, resulting in the blockage of water and nutrient movement, which leads to yellowing, withering and death of the plant. Despite the fact that <em>Macrophomina</em> was previously considered a monotypic genus with <em>M. phaseolina</em> as the only species, recent studies have identified a number of other species, such as <em>M. pseudophaseolina, M. euphorbiicola, M. vaccinii</em> and <em>M. tecta</em>, indicating that <em>Macrophomina</em> is a polytypic genus. Sclerotial viability is affected by high soil moisture and low soil temperature. As the disease is favored by hot and dry weather conditions, climate change, which leads to water stress, and global warming, which leads to rising temperatures, are exacerbating the disease and spreading it worldwide, including temperate countries. Water stress during the flowering period of crops is typically the most favourable condition for disease outbreaks. Although it is referred to as a hemibiotroph in some literature, it is called a necrotroph because it enters a living cell first, but kills the surrounding cells and continues to grow, reproduce and multiply within the dead cell. As its genome contains a higher number of different pathogenicity genes, especially an array of genes/gene clusters encoding cell wall-degrading enzymes, effector proteins, peptidases, phytotoxins, transporters, etc., it is more virulent and pathogenic than other necrotrophic fungi. Among the phytohormones, jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET), but not salicylic acid (SA), are mainly involved in activating various host defense mechanisms against the colonization of <em>M. phaseolina</em> in the root system. Screening genotypes for resistance to <em>M. phaseolina</em> would be an effective approach for its management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 103167"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147386468","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":"Spatial Modeling of the virus transmission network in Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) fields in Antioquia, Colombia","authors":"Mónica Higuita ,&nbsp;Christian Jiménez-Arias ,&nbsp;Juliana Sánchez-Yalí ,&nbsp;Alejandra Pérez ,&nbsp;Maria Clara Zuluaga ,&nbsp;Pablo A. Gutiérrez","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cape gooseberry (<em>Physalis peruviana</em> L.) is a popular exotic fruit from South America that has gained international recognition for its unique flavor and health benefits. Cape gooseberry is the major exotic fruit exported in Colombia. Unfortunately, the emergence of viral diseases, driven by the unchecked expansion of cultivated land and the absence of centralized disease management programs, poses a latent threat to productivity. In addition, several viruses known to infect <em>P. peruviana</em> can also infect other solanaceous crops widely cultivated in Colombia, such as tomato (<em>S. lycopersicum</em>), potato (<em>S. tuberosum</em> and <em>S. phureja</em>), bell pepper (<em>Capsicum annuum</em>), Naranjilla (<em>S. quitoense</em>), and Tamarillo (<em>S. betaceum</em>). To effectively manage viral diseases in plants, it is essential to use a combined approach that integrates good agricultural practices with detailed knowledge of the virus's biology, its interactions with target hosts, and an understanding of the spatial dynamics of viral spread. Here, we introduce a stochastic model that combines RNA-seq data, published viral sequences, and environmental factors to simulate virus spread across <em>P. peruviana</em> fields in the province of Antioquia, Colombia. The model identifies high-risk transmission zones, evaluates the impact of alternative hosts, and suggests sites for the establishment of nurseries and seed-production zones.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 103172"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147386073","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":"Molecular strategies of fungal pathogens in the plant apoplast: Mechanisms of host recognition, immune evasion, and niche adaptation","authors":"Biju Vadakkemukadiyil Chellappan","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103176","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103176","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Advances in molecular biology and multi-omics technologies have redefined the plant apoplast as a dynamic frontline in plant–fungal pathogen interactions. This extracellular matrix, comprising the cell wall and intercellular spaces, serves as both a critical barrier and a biochemical arena where host immunity, nutrient availability, and microbial ecology intersect. Fungal pathogens deploy a complex arsenal of molecular strategies to overcome this hostile environment, including secretion of cell wall–degrading enzymes, immune-suppressing effectors, and enzymes that mitigate oxidative stress. They actively modulate apoplastic pH, compete for scarce nutrients through specialized transporters, and manipulate the resident microbiome to facilitate colonization. Concurrently, plants activate rapid immune responses via pattern recognition receptors detecting conserved microbial signatures, produce reactive oxygen species, antimicrobial proteins, and secondary metabolites, and deploy extracellular vesicles to silence fungal virulence genes. This review integrates current understanding of these multifaceted molecular dialogues within the apoplast, emphasizing the intricate balance of attack and defense that shapes disease outcomes. It further highlights emerging frontiers, including the role of extracellular vesicles, microbiome interactions, and advanced spatial and single-cell technologies poised to unravel the spatial-temporal complexity of apoplastic interactions. Understanding these processes offers promising avenues for developing integrated plant protection strategies against fungal diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 103176"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147386467","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":"Development of CRISPR/Cas9 construct for targeted mutagenesis of callose synthase 7 gene in Indonesia's Mandarin citrus genotypes toward managing huanglongbing disease","authors":"Kristianto Nugroho ,&nbsp;Mia Kosmiatin ,&nbsp;Tri Joko Santoso ,&nbsp;Agus Purwito ,&nbsp;Dewi Sukma ,&nbsp;Ali Husni ,&nbsp;Chaireni Martasari ,&nbsp;Alina Akhdiya ,&nbsp;Hadi Mohammad Yusuf ,&nbsp;Atmitri Sisharmini ,&nbsp;Aniversari Apriana ,&nbsp;Reflinur Reflinur","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103136","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103136","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Huanglongbing (HLB) is a highly destructive disease threatening citrus plantation worlwide. It is associated with the presence of ‘<em>Candidatus</em> Liberibacter asiaticus’. The bacteria infected the citrus phloem tissue, leading to the accumulation of callose synthesised by the <em>callose synthase 7</em> (<em>CalS7)</em> gene activity. While callose accumulation aims to block bacterial movement, it also ultimately causes phloem plugging and necrosis, disrupting the transport of photosynthate and severely reducing yield. To tackle this issue, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing offers a groundbreaking solution by knocking out the <em>CalS7</em> gene, to improve the resistance of citrus plants to HLB infection and mitigate phloem damage. This study focuses on designing and constructing a CRISPR/Cas9 cassette using pDIRECT_21A for targeted mutagenesis of the <em>CalS7</em> gene in Indonesia's mandarin citrus genotypes. This construct was then transformed into cotyledonary nodes via <em>Agrobacterium tumefaciens</em>, and the resulting mutations were confirmed through Sanger sequencing. The genetic transformation has also been successfully conducted via <em>A. tumefaciens</em> and produced a total of seven positive transformant shoots that have been confirmed by the PCR method using <em>Cas9</em>-specific gene primers. The Sanger sequencing revealed the internal off-target mutation as the non-synonymous SNPs which were identified within the <em>CalS7</em> gene but outside the guide RNA (gRNA) sequence for all the transformant citrus shoots. Further studies should be addressed to analyze the <em>CalS7</em> gene expression in these transformed plants and assessing their resistance and phenotypic changes, which could significantly enhance citrus crop development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 103136"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147386025","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":"Biogenic silver-selenium nanocomposites as an effective and sustainable alternative for controlling citrus canker","authors":"Iqra Ilyas ,&nbsp;Hammad Ul Hassan ,&nbsp;Naveed Iqbal Raja ,&nbsp;Zia-Ur-Rehman Mashwani ,&nbsp;Hossam S. El-Beltagi ,&nbsp;Muhammad Sheeraz Ahmad ,&nbsp;Huma Qureshi ,&nbsp;Tauseef Anwar ,&nbsp;Muhammad Iqbal ,&nbsp;Khalid H. Alamer ,&nbsp;Nazih Y. Rebouh ,&nbsp;Bakhrom Jobborov ,&nbsp;Mohammed O. Alshaharni ,&nbsp;Shamil Mahmudov","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103134","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103134","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Citrus canker, caused by <em>Xanthomonas citri</em> subsp. <em>citri</em>, remains a major challenge to citrus production and highlights the need for alternatives to conventional bactericides. In this study, silver–selenium nanocomposites (Ag–Se NCs) were synthesized using garlic (<em>Allium sativum</em> L.) extract and characterized by Ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis) (plasmon peak ∼400 nm), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) (mean particle size ∼73.7 nm), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)/Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirming elemental composition and phytochemical capping. Greenhouse evaluations using seven treatments (n = 20 plants each) showed that Ag–Se NCs reduced citrus canker severity significantly. At 200 mg L⁻¹, Ag–Se NCs lowered the infection index from 19% in the pathogen control to ∼1% and decreased the area under the disease progress curve by more than 90%. Treated plants exhibited improved physiological performance, including ∼80% higher total chlorophyll and a ∼30% increase in membrane stability compared with infected controls. Biochemical assessments indicated increases in proline, phenolics, and flavonoids (90–185%), and fruit-quality traits including juice content and ascorbic acid were restored to near-healthy levels. These results demonstrate that garlic-mediated Ag–Se NCs can mitigate disease symptoms and support physiological and fruit-quality recovery under greenhouse conditions. Further studies incorporating mechanistic analyses, broader dose responses, and field validation are recommended to confirm their suitability for integrated citrus canker management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 103134"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147386076","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":"Small interference RNA (siRNA)-mediated down-regulation of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit (CRP) results in reduced pathogenicity in Fusarium graminearum and Magnaporthe oryzae","authors":"Massarat Fatima,&nbsp;Katkuri Balakrishna,&nbsp;Ragiba Makandar","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103147","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103147","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling pathway is a major signal transduction pathway with multiple roles in most filamentous fungi. Utilizing RNA interference (RNAi) approach, which involves double-stranded (dsRNA) or small interference RNAs (siRNAs) for targeted gene silencing, an attempt was made to test whether <em>CRP</em> (cAMP protein kinase regulatory protein), a key cAMP pathway gene in fungal development and virulence, is also required for pathogenesis of <em>F. graminearum</em>. By supplementing axenic fungal conidia <em>(in-vitro</em>) as well as spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) in the leaves of wheat and Arabidopsis (<em>in-planta</em>), the targeted silencing of <em>CRP</em> gene was performed. Our findings revealed statistically significant reduction in colony growth and fungal biomass in <em>CRP</em>-siRNA treated-<em>F. graminearum</em> at 5 and 7 days post treatment. The <em>CRP</em>-siRNA treatment of <em>F. graminearum</em> conidia at 35 nM concentration resulted in 50% growth inhibition showing abnormal conidia morphology with visible conglobate structures at hyphal tips and poor conidial germination in <em>in-vitro</em> studies. To validate the findings, another hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen, <em>Magnaporthe oryzae</em> was also treated with <em>CRP-</em>siRNAs in culture (<em>in-vitro</em>) as well as by SIGS approach on rice leaves (<em>in-planta)</em> prior to challenge with the pathogen. Similar results were obtained in both the pathosystems, confirming the conservancy of <em>CRP</em> gene across different fungal species along with its role in fungal virulence. Real time-quantitative (RT-q) PCRs showed significant down-regulation of <em>CRP</em> gene in both <em>in-vitro</em> and <em>in-planta</em> studies compared to the untreated control or unrelated siRNA treatment in both the pathogens, indicating the <em>CRP</em> gene's involvement in fungal pathogenicity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 103147"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147386288","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":"Genomic insights into endophytic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BBE16 and Bacillus velezensis BBE18 reveal their biocontrol potential against Fusarium wilt in banana","authors":"Rajkumar Sudharsan ,&nbsp;Chinnan Kannan ,&nbsp;Arutselvan Vanitha ,&nbsp;Annadurai Praveen ,&nbsp;Pulapet Sowmya ,&nbsp;Jaganathan Gowri Shankar ,&nbsp;Markkandan Kesavan ,&nbsp;Rajapandiyan Krishnamoorthy ,&nbsp;Mohammad A. Alshuniaber ,&nbsp;Magdi A. Osman ,&nbsp;Mansour K. Gatasheh ,&nbsp;Rasheed A. Abdulraheem","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103144","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103144","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Fusarium</em> wilt caused by <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> f. sp. <em>cubense</em> continues to threaten banana production worldwide. In this study, 20 bacterial endophytes were isolated from two banana cultivars Red Decca and Ney Poovan, respectively. Among them two isolates BBE16 and BBE18 consistently showed strong suppression of <em>F. oxysporum</em> f. sp. <em>cubense in vitro</em> and under greenhouse conditions. Both isolates not only reduced disease severity but also improved plant growth by increasing leaf number, root development, and pseudo stem traits. They further demonstrated tolerance to drought and salinity stress and expressed a broad set of plant growth-promoting traits including nutrient solubilization, ammonia release and hydrogen cyanide production. Genome sequencing identified BBE16 as <em>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</em> and BBE18 as <em>Bacillus velezensis</em>. Their genomes revealed key functional genes related to phosphate solubilization, nitrogen metabolism, indole-3-acetic acid synthesis, siderophore production, and zinc mobilization. Both isolates also carried diverse biosynthetic gene clusters for well-known antimicrobial metabolites such as surfactin, fengycin, bacillaene, difficidin and bacillibactin along with unique clusters that may encode novel bioactive compounds. Additional genome features, including carbohydrate-active enzymes, microbe-associated molecular pattern-associated genes, and strain-specific genomic islands, support their adaptability and antagonistic potential. Taken together, these findings highlight <em>B. amyloliquefaciens</em> BBE16 and <em>B. velezensis</em> BBE18 as promising candidates for the development of sustainable biocontrol strategies against <em>Fusarium</em> wilt in banana.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 103144"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173009","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":"Biocontrol of tobacco bacterial wilt by Bacillus velezensis Y19: insights into chemotaxis, competition and antagonism","authors":"Yajie Hu ,&nbsp;Xiaolan Yang ,&nbsp;Huiping Wu ,&nbsp;Qunling Li ,&nbsp;Guangxiong Xiao ,&nbsp;Feng Wu ,&nbsp;Feng Li ,&nbsp;Zihua He ,&nbsp;Xiaoxing Lin ,&nbsp;Ting Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103140","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103140","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tobacco bacterial wilt, a devastating soil-borne disease caused by <em>Ralstonia solanacearum</em>, requires effective and environmentally friendly control strategies. This study characterizes <em>Bacillus velezensis</em> Y19 as a potent biocontrol agent and elucidates its multi-model mechanisms of action against the pathogen. Isolate Y19 exhibited direct antagonism toward <em>R. solanacearum</em> and displayed specific chemotaxis toward root exudates from infected tobacco plants. Metabolomic analysis identified six upregulated compounds in these exudates, with alanine, lysine, and 5-aminovalerate being the key chemoattractants for Y19. In nutrient competition assays, Y19 outcompeted <em>R. solanacearum</em> for glutamate, achieving a 21.98% suppression of pathogen growth in co-culture. Additionally, 5-aminovalerate enhanced the root colonization ability of Y19. MALDI-TOF MS analysis confirmed the production of the antimicrobial lipopeptides surfactin and fengycin by Y19. Pot experiments demonstrated that Y19 treatment significantly improved tobacco resistance to <em>R</em>. <em>solanacearum</em>. Collectively, these findings establish <em>B. velezensis</em> Y19 as a multifunctional biocontrol agent that acts via chemotaxis, colonization, nutritional competition, and antimicrobial metabolite production, highlighting its potential for a sustainable management of tobacco bacterial wilt.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 103140"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147386020","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":"Antifungal activity and mechanisms of honokiol against Fusarium fujikuroi, the Chinese yew leaf blight pathogen","authors":"Yuling Jiang ,&nbsp;Yao Charles Meto ,&nbsp;Amir Khan,&nbsp;Zhenxiang Guo,&nbsp;Anlong Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chinese yew (<em>Taxus chinensis</em>), a valuable medicinal and ornamental plant, experiences substantial reductions in yield and quality due to leaf blight disease caused by <em>Fusarium fujikuro</em>i. Seven phyto-compounds were screened for their fungicidal activity against <em>F. fujikuroi</em>, honokiol showed the most effective mycelial growth inhibition, with the lowest EC₅₀ value of 21.24 ± 1.33 μg/mL. Honokiol disrupted cell membrane integrity at 10.62 μg/mL, especially delicate mycelial tips and at 21.24 μg/mL, this effect was more noticeable. Honokiol disrupted cell membrane integrity, increasing permeability and leakage of nucleic acids and proteins, and indirectly compromised cell wall integrity via elevated chitinase and β-1, 3-glucanase activities. The conidia of <em>F. fujikuroi</em> exhibited a darkened color, septal disruption, and bursting, which reduced their viability when treated with honokiol. Also, detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) using DCFH-DA clearly indicated that honokiol at 10.62, 21.24, and 31.86 μg/mL induces the ROS level in the mycelia of <em>F. fujikuroi.</em> qRT-PCR analysis revealed dose-dependent changes in chitinase expression in <em>F. fujikuroi</em> after honokiol treatment. Honokiol significantly decreased the disease severity of leaf blight in Chinese yew induced by <em>F. fujikuroi.</em> Overall, honokiol offers a promising, environmentally friendly strategy for integrated management of Chinese yew leaf blight for sustainable agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 103170"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147386021","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}