Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology最新文献

{"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 ,&nbsp;Sanjay K. Singh ,&nbsp;Jai Prakash ,&nbsp;Chavlesh Kumar ,&nbsp;Gyan P. Mishra ,&nbsp;Aundy Kumar ,&nbsp;Amitha Mithra Sevanthi ,&nbsp;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}

{"title":"Rhizospheric ginsenosides released from roots infected with root rot improve infectivity of pathogenic Fusarium fungi in ginseng","authors":"Xinru Wang ,&nbsp;Yun Peng ,&nbsp;Yumeng Song,&nbsp;Juan Hua,&nbsp;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 Rb₁, Rd, Rg₂, Rg₁, 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 Rb₁ 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 Rb₁, Rd, Rg₁, Rg₂, and Re all promoted the spore germination of <em>F</em>. <em>oxysporum</em> ga-11, and the ginsenosides Rd and Rg₁ 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, Rg₁, Rg₂, 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}

{"title":"Harnessing biologically synthesized nanomaterials for their antimicrobial potential in crop protection","authors":"Yachana Jha ,&nbsp;Heba I. Mohamed ,&nbsp;Haiam O. Elkatry ,&nbsp;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}

{"title":"CuO-ZnO nanocomposites mitigate root-knot nematode stress in Vigna radiata by enhancing physiological and antioxidant defense responses","authors":"Mohammad Danish ,&nbsp;Mohammad Shahid ,&nbsp;Mohammad Abul Farah ,&nbsp;Khalid Mashay Al-Anazi ,&nbsp;Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed ,&nbsp;Heba I. Mohamed ,&nbsp;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}

{"title":"Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Lasiodiplodia brasiliensis associated with dieback and canker in cupuaçu trees (Theobroma grandiflorum) in Brazil","authors":"José Fábio Ferreira de Souza ,&nbsp;Kevison Romulo da Silva França ,&nbsp;Mayra Machado de Medeiros Ferro ,&nbsp;Jaqueline Figueredo de Oliveira Costa ,&nbsp;Iraildes Pereira Assunção ,&nbsp;Gaus Silvestre de Andrade Lima ,&nbsp;Francisco de Alcântara Neto ,&nbsp;Kedma da Silva Matos ,&nbsp;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 ,&nbsp;Manonmani Swaminathan ,&nbsp;Ramalingam Suresh ,&nbsp;Chellappan Gopalakrishnan ,&nbsp;Muthurajan Raveendran ,&nbsp;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}

{"title":"Anthracnose of grapevines in Sri Lanka: Pathogen identification, epidemiological insights, and in vitro evaluation of bioactive extracts","authors":"Deluxeani Sureshkumar ,&nbsp;Christy Jeyaseelan Emmanuel ,&nbsp;Devika M. De Costa","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102771","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102771","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anthracnose disease of grapevines, historically attributed to <em>Elsinoë ampelina</em>, has emerged as a significant concern in the Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka. This study aimed to characterize the disease's etiology, epidemiology, and potential for biological control. Field assessments over two cultivation seasons (2022–2023) revealed a consistent pattern of disease progression, with peak incidence and severity occurring between 40 and 60 days post-pruning. Rainfall positively correlated with disease metrics, while wind speed showed a suppressive effect. Morphological and cultural characterization of 54 fungal isolates, coupled with multilocus phylogenetic analysis (ITS, actin, and histone H3), confirmed the presence of two distinct <em>Colletotrichum</em> morphotypes within the <em>C. gloeosporioides</em> species complex, potentially representing a novel lineage. Pathogenicity assays verified the virulence of representative isolates on grape leaves and fruits under both <em>in vitro</em> and in planta conditions. Furthermore, spore germination and lesion development were significantly inhibited by cell-free suspensions from <em>Pseudomonas fluorescens</em>, <em>Bacillus megaterium</em>, and ethanol extracts of <em>Azadirachta indica</em>, <em>Lantana camara</em>, <em>Vitex negundo</em>, <em>Stoechospermum marginatum</em>, and <em>Padina boryana</em>. These findings establish a members of new lineage of <em>C. gloeosporioides</em> complex as the primary causal agent of grape anthracnose in the region and highlight the promise of integrating biocontrol agents and botanical extracts into sustainable disease management programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102771"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144205304","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":"Selection of BcTRE1 as an effective RNAi target for dsRNA-Based control of Botrytis cinerea","authors":"Weibo Jin,&nbsp;Xiaoyi Zhang,&nbsp;Fangli Wu,&nbsp;Pengwei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102773","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102773","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>RNA interference (RNAi) is emerging as a promising approach for plant disease management. In this study, we screened five virulence-related genes of <em>Botrytis cinerea</em> to identify the most effective target for controlling <em>B. cinerea</em> through RNAi pathway. The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) was synthesized in <em>Escherichia coli</em> and evaluated for their efficacy in suppressing spore germination, mycelial growth, and virulence in infected plants. Our results demonstrated that BcTRE1-targeting dsRNA (BcTRE1-dsRNA) exhibited the highest inhibitory activity, significantly reducing fungal growth and lesion formation compared to the other tested dsRNAs. Gene expression analysis confirmed that BcTRE1-dsRNA effectively silenced BcTRE1 expression within 7 days post-treatment, aligning with the transient protection window observed for naked dsRNA applications. To extend this protective period, we incorporated layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocarriers for dsRNA delivery, which successfully prolonged the inhibitory effect, reducing lesion formation even at 11 days post-treatment. These findings identify BcTRE1 as a key RNAi target and highlight the potential of dsRNA-LDH formulations for sustainable fungal disease management in crops.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102773"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144205305","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":"Discovery of novel pathogens causing black spots on Torreya grandis cv. Merrillii nut and fungicide effectiveness during post-ripening","authors":"Sisi Lai ,&nbsp;Caoliang Jin ,&nbsp;Haojie Ye ,&nbsp;Ling Li ,&nbsp;Yuhui Chen ,&nbsp;Mohamed A. Farag ,&nbsp;Tao Liu ,&nbsp;Zuying Zhang ,&nbsp;Jiasheng Wu ,&nbsp;Lili Song ,&nbsp;Yuanyuan Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102775","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102775","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Torreya grandis,</em> a highly nutritious nut endemic to South China, undergoes a critical postharvest stage for nutrient conversion, aroma synthesis, and removal of astringency. Black spots disease is a common and serious post-harvest disease that severely affects nut quality, with black spots appearing on the hard shell and internal seed coat, accompanied by a peculiar odour. In this study, pathogens mediating for infection were annotated alongside profiling of volatiles via gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) in the infected nuts. Additionally, the effectiveness of tetramycin against black spots disease was evaluated. <em>Lasiodiplodia theobromae</em> TGBHS1 was identified as the primary causal pathogen for black spots using morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, the aroma compounds of TGBHS1 infected nuts notably increased compared to the control group, including alcohols, aldehydes, esters, and ketones, especially with the unpleasant smell compounds terpinen-4-ol and Bicyclo [3.1.1]hept-3-en-2-one, 4,6,6-trimethyl-, (1<em>S</em>). Optimal conditions for mycelial growth of TGBHS1 were at 30 °C and pH 5.0, with sucrose serving as the preferred carbon source. Among the tested concentrations of tetramycin, 3.0 × 10⁻³ g L⁻¹ was found to be highly effective in mitigating black spots incidence prior to the postharvest stage. Such findings offer brand-new understanding on pathogen management and postharvest optimization in <em>T. grandis</em> nut leading to improved quality and safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102775"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144189660","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":"Driving sustainability in fruit-based cropping Systems: Intercropping impacts on growth, soil health, microbial dynamics and yield stability","authors":"Himanshu Mehta ,&nbsp;Pramod Kumar ,&nbsp;Vinay Banyal ,&nbsp;Nisha Sharma ,&nbsp;Naveen Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Monoculture practices in fruit orchards have resulted in critical issues such as soil degradation, nutrient depletion, biodiversity loss and reduced system resilience. Intercropping cereals and legumes within fruit-based systems presents a sustainable solution, enhancing both agroecosystem functionality and productivity. This integrative review compiles and synthesizes studies from 2000 to 2025 to evaluate the agronomic and ecological impacts of intercropping in fruit-based systems. This review critically examines the impact of intercropping on vegetative growth, reproductive performance, fruit yield and quality, soil physico-chemical properties, nutrient dynamics, microbial diversity, enzymatic activities and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal associations in fruit orchards. While focusing on cereal-legume intercropping, the review also compiles relevant studies involving other intercrops such as grasses, vegetables and medicinal plants to provide a comprehensive understanding of diverse intercropping models. Evidence demonstrates that intercropping enhances soil organic carbon sequestration, biological nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, potassium mobilization and improves exchangeable calcium and magnesium pools. Enhanced rhizosphere interactions stimulate soil microbial biomass, including beneficial bacteria, fungi and AM fungi, which contribute to nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. Improved leaf nutrient indices, particularly for N, P, K and micronutrients, have been consistently observed under legume intercropping. These physiological enhancements translate into increased canopy volume, trunk girth, fruit set, fruit biochemical traits (total soluble solids, sugar-acid ratio, anthocyanins), and overall yield efficiency. Furthermore, intercropping systems significantly elevate key soil enzymatic activities such as dehydrogenase, phosphatase and cellulase, indicating superior soil biological functioning. While numerous benefits are documented, studies in perennial fruit crops remain limited compared to field crops, highlighting a significant research gap. This review identifies suitable crop combinations, underlying mechanisms and future research directions aimed at optimizing intercropping practices for soil health, orchard sustainability and climate resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"139 ","pages":"Article 102774"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144221618","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}