Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology最新文献

{"title":"Differential molecular and fatty acid profiles unlock the resistance mechanism of Indian mustard against Alternaria blight","authors":"Anurag Mishra ,&nbsp;Nawaz Ahmad Khan ,&nbsp;Ashutosh Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103084","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103084","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Indian mustard (<em>Brassica juncea</em>) is one of the most important oilseed crops in India. Among various biotic stresses, Alternaria blight caused by <em>Alternaria brassicicola</em> severely affects crop production, leading to yield losses of more than 50 %. However, to date, no resistant genotype has been identified, and the underlying resistance mechanisms remains unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify resistant genotypes for Alternaria blight and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their resistance. Total of 282 genotypes of Indian mustard were screened for Alternaria blight in two seasons under natural conditions and ten consistently performing genotypes were identified. These ten genotypes: two moderately resistant, one moderately susceptible, three susceptible, and four highly susceptible were screened by using artificial inoculation of <em>Alternaria brassicicola</em> and T-59 (moderate resistance) and NDRE-7 (susceptible) were identified. Antioxidant enzymes assays revealed that <em>A</em>. <em>brassicicola</em> infection increased Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavanger activity. However, moderate resistant genotype showed significantly more antioxidant activity compared to susceptible genotype. Differential gene expression analysis showed that key genes involved in salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and ethylene biosynthesis were significantly upregulated in T-59, contributing to resistance against Alternaria blight. Fatty acid profiling revealed a significant increase in unsaturated fatty acids in T-59 under Alternaria blight stress compared to NDRE-7. Overall, Alternaria blight infection increased unsaturated fatty acids in the plasma membrane, which acted as a signal to activate ROS scavenger enzymes and downstream defence hormone pathways, thereby conferring resistance in T-59.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 103084"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147420500","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":"Exploring the biocontrol potential of epiphytic yeasts from fabaceae against Colletotrichum scovillei causing chilli anthracnose","authors":"Rochelle C. Olana ,&nbsp;Sukanya Haituk ,&nbsp;Anuruddha Karunarathna ,&nbsp;Christian Joseph R. Cumagun ,&nbsp;Ratchadawan Cheewangkoon ,&nbsp;Dulanjalee Lakmali Harishchandra","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103114","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103114","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The significant threat of chilli anthracnose to worldwide chilli production is compounded by environmental and health concerns surrounding chemical control methods. Microbial biocontrol, such as antagonistic yeast, is a sustainable alternative because of its economic and ecological soundness. In this study, epiphytic yeasts isolated from Fabaceae were evaluated against <em>Colletotrichum scovillei</em> CDEP 229 using <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> interaction assays. Dual culture plate assay revealed that several yeast isolates suppressed the mycelial growth of <em>C. scovillei</em> with inhibition rates up to 50 %. The best-performing yeast strains, <em>Papiliotrema flavescens</em> CDEP 232, <em>Torulaspora pretoriensis</em> CDEP 231<em>,</em> and <em>Aureobasidium thailandense</em> CDEP 230, acted against <em>C. scovillei</em> through competition for nutrients and inhibition of spore germination via volatile compounds and extracellular lytic enzymes (chitinase, β-glucanase, and protease). In the adhesion assay, <em>P. flavescens</em> and <em>T. pretoriensis</em> exhibited strong attachment to <em>C. scovillei</em> hyphae coupled with chitinolytic activities, suggesting mycoparasitic potential and competitive advantage for nutrient acquisition. <em>In vivo</em> experiment revealed that yeast antagonists delayed the progression of chilli anthracnose, and protective treatments were more effective than eradicative treatments. <em>P. flavescens</em> exhibited the highest disease reduction among the yeast antagonists tested, achieving 70 % efficacy following the fungicide treatment (95 %). These results highlight antagonistic yeasts as a promising eco-friendly approach for chilli anthracnose management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 103114"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924608","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":"First report of Fusarium oxysporum causing fruit spot disease on Prunus salicina in China and evaluation of effective fungicides for control","authors":"Houyin Zhou ,&nbsp;Kun Guo ,&nbsp;Jingzhi Yang ,&nbsp;Gul Umair ,&nbsp;Xianhui Yin ,&nbsp;Yue Ma ,&nbsp;Jun Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103041","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Asian plum (<em>Prunus salicina</em>) is widely cultivated in China for its nutritional and economic importance. In 2024, a previously unreported fruit spot disease was observed on plums in Guizhou Province, China; affected fruit developed depressed lesions that progressed to rot, resulting in substantial economic losses. The causal agent was identified as <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> based on morphology and a multilocus phylogenetic analysis of <em>TEF1-α</em>, <em>RPB2</em>, and <em>TUB2</em>. Pathogenicity assays that fulfilled Koch's postulates confirmed <em>F. oxysporum</em> as the etiological agent of the disease. Fungicide sensitivity of the <em>F. oxysporum</em> isolate was evaluated using the mycelial growth rate method across 13 active ingredients, and field efficacy trials were conducted with six fungicides. Prochloraz (45.0 % EW), tebuconazole (43.0 % SC), and azoxystrobin (25.0 % SC) strongly inhibited mycelial growth, with EC₅₀ values of 0.0570, 0.0810, and 0.0592 μg mL, respectively. In field trials, prochloraz (45.0 % EW) and tebuconazole (43.0 % SC) provided excellent control of plum fruit spot, with control efficacies of 80.31 % and 78.39 % at 7 days and 76.55 % and 73.50 % at 14 days after the final application, respectively. To the present knowledge, this is the first report of <em>F. oxysporum</em> causing fruit spot on plum in China, and the results identify effective chemical options for disease management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 103041"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145555210","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":"First report of leaf spot of box elder (Acer negundo) caused by Neopestalotiopsis scalabiensis in China","authors":"Yu-Hang Qiao,&nbsp;Min Li,&nbsp;Feng-Mao Chen,&nbsp;Huan Li","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103075","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103075","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Box elder (<em>Acer negundo</em> L.), native to North America, has been widely introduced in China for its ornamental and ecological value. In September 2020, severe leaf spot symptoms were observed on <em>A. negundo</em> in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, with up to 80 % disease incidence. Affected leaves displayed large, nearly circular or irregular off-white lesions, often containing black pycnidia-like structures and occasionally bordered by dark brown margins, which markedly reduced ornamental quality. To identify the causal agent, (i) fungal isolation: 12 fungal isolates with similar colony morphology were consistently obtained from diseased leaves, (ii) morphological examination: colonies were initially white, dense, and cottony, later forming concentric ring of aerial mycelia; the reverse was pale yellow to light brown; abundant black and globose conidial masses developed on the colony surface after 7–14 days culture; conidia were fusiform to clavate, straight or slightly curved, each conidium consisted of four septa, producing five cells, (iii) multi-gene phylogenetic analysis (ITS, <em>TEF1-α</em>, <em>TUB</em>): isolates NJZSN01-03 clustered together within the <em>Neopestalotiopsis scalabiensis</em> clade with strong bootstrap support (BP = 97 %), and (iv) pathogenicity assays: Koch's postulates were established by re-isolation and re-identification of <em>N. scalabiensis</em> isolates from the inoculated leaves; were conducted. The pathogen was confirmed as <em>Neopestalotiopsis scalabiensis</em>. To our knowledge, this is the first report of <em>N. scalabiensis</em> causing leaf spot of box elder in China. This finding provides baseline information for disease diagnosis and the development of management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 103075"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691338","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":"Multifaceted roles of Clonostachys rosea in nematode biocontrol: Mechanistic and Bibliometric perspectives","authors":"Vyamasani Shravani ,&nbsp;Priyadharshini Venkatesan ,&nbsp;Nishi Keshari ,&nbsp;Gowrisudha Ravichandran","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103070","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103070","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Clonostachys rosea</em>, a filamentous ascomycete, has emerged as a promising biocontrol agent against plant-parasitic nematodes, representing a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical nematicides. This fungus employs multiple antagonistic mechanisms, including direct parasitism of nematode eggs and juveniles, secretion of hydrolytic enzymes such as subtilisin-like proteases and chitinases, and the biosynthesis of diverse nematicidal secondary metabolites, including nonribosomal peptides, epipolythiodioxopiperazines, terpenoids and fatty acid derivatives. Recent advances in genomic and transcriptomic analyses have identified key biosynthetic gene clusters and regulatory networks underlying these biocontrol traits, while <em>in silico</em> molecular docking studies have elucidated the interactions between fungal metabolites and nematode target proteins, providing mechanistic insights into their nematicidal activity. Empirical evidence from <em>in vitro</em>, greenhouse and field experiments demonstrates the efficacy of <em>C. rosea</em> in suppressing nematode populations, promoting plant growth and enhancing stress resilience. Despite these advances, commercial deployment remains constrained by challenges related to large-scale spore production, formulation stability, and strain-dependent performance across agroecological settings. To better contextualize these scientific developments and identify global research trends, a bibliometric analysis was conducted. This analysis revealed a steady increase in publications focusing on <em>C. rosea</em>, mapping the evolution of research themes, influential contributors, and emerging areas of application. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the molecular mechanisms and ecological functions underlying nematode antagonism by <em>C. rosea</em>, evaluates its practical potential in sustainable agriculture, and highlights future research priorities aimed at strain improvement, formulation optimization and field-scale implementation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 103070"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691341","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":"Immune and physiological modulation by endophytic fungi in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici-infected plants","authors":"Mohamed S. Attia ,&nbsp;Tarek M. Abdelghany ,&nbsp;Farqad Fathi Hasan ,&nbsp;Amer M. Abdelaziz","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103065","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103065","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) is a highly destructive vascular wilt pathogen that can result in significant yield losses globally due to its race-specific virulence and soil persistence. Complex virulence mechanisms, such as hydrolytic enzymes and Secreted In Xylem (SIX) effectors, which facilitate effective colonization and immune suppression, are what propel the infection process. Reduced photosynthetic efficiency and plant collapse result from physiological disturbances such as oxidative stress, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalance, and impaired water transport. The pathogen's adaptability and resistance to traditional control measures limit current management strategies. In this review, we discuss a promising and environmentally friendly method of controlling Fusarium wilt, a devastating vascular disease that affects many crops globally, is to use endophytic fungi, especially Plant Growth-Promoting Fungi (PGPF). Through direct mechanisms like mycoparasitism, antibiosis, and competition for nutrients and space, as well as indirect mechanisms like induced systemic resistance, hormonal modulation, and microbiome reshaping, these fungi invade plant tissues without harming them, improving growth, nutrient uptake, and resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. Many endophytic species have shown significant antifungal activity, antioxidant enhancement, and growth promotion in a variety of host plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 103065"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691402","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":"Pathogenesis-related secondary metabolites in leaves of oil palm seedlings infected with Ganoderma boninense revealed by GC-MS","authors":"Syd Ali Nusaibah ,&nbsp;Mohd Rashid Mohd Rakib","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103141","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103141","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Basal stem rot (BSR), caused by <em>Ganoderma boninense</em>, is the most destructive disease of oil palm (<em>Elaeis guineensis</em>) in Southeast Asia, severely threatening plantation productivity. A major challenge in BSR management is the prolonged asymptomatic phase, during which the pathogen colonizes host tissues internally for months before visible symptoms appear, limiting opportunities for early intervention. In this study, four-month-old oil palm seedlings were artificially inoculated with <em>G. boninense</em> (UPMGB20) using rubber wood block (RWB) inocula and maintained for six months after inoculation. Despite confirmed pathogen colonization, no visible symptoms were observed at sampling, enabling investigation of host metabolic responses during asymptomatic infection. Untargeted metabolite profiling using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 16 discriminant metabolites spanning organic nitrogen compounds, prenol lipids, fatty acyls, aromatic derivatives, and organoheterocyclic compounds. Nine metabolites were detected exclusively in infected seedlings, including N1-(4-hydroxybutyl)-N3-methylguanidine acetate and (Z)-9-tricosene, which showed strong associations with pathogen presence. Several metabolites, including phytol, coniferyl alcohol, α-tocopherol, squalene, and benzofuran derivatives, accumulated more than twofold in infected leaves, consistent with enhanced antioxidant activity, lignification-related metabolism, and lipid remodeling under pathogen-induced stress. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a clear metabolic distinction between infected and healthy seedlings, with PC1 explaining 59.7% of the total variance. Collectively, these findings indicate that asymptomatic <em>G. boninense</em> infection elicits systemic metabolic reprogramming in oil palm leaves and identify candidate metabolites that may inform the development of leaf-based biochemical indicators for early-stage BSR-associated stress. Further validation under field conditions will be required to assess their utility for integration into practical disease monitoring strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 103141"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188041","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":"Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase contribute to low-temperature resistance in Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne enterolobii by regulating trehalose metabolism","authors":"Peiyao Wei ,&nbsp;Mengxin Zhao ,&nbsp;Chen Liu ,&nbsp;Kan Zhuo ,&nbsp;Deliang Peng ,&nbsp;Feng Zhang ,&nbsp;Yingmei Li ,&nbsp;Song Pan","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103135","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2026.103135","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The nonreducing disaccharide trehalose is widespread among bacteria, fungi, plants, and invertebrates, where it is linked to abiotic stress resistance. In eukaryotes, two crucial genes, <em>trehalose-6-phosphate synthase</em> (<em>TPS</em>) and <em>trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase</em> (<em>TPP</em>), are responsible for trehalose synthesis. However, the biological functions of <em>TPS</em> and <em>TPP</em> remain unclear in the globally damaging root-knot nematodes <em>Meloidogyne incognita</em> and <em>Meloidogyne enterolobii</em>. In this study, low-temperature resistance of <em>M. incognita</em> and <em>M. enterolobii</em> second-stage juveniles (J2s) was enhanced after cold acclimation, accompanied by a significant rise in internal trehalose levels. <em>TPS</em> and <em>TPP</em> from <em>M. incognita</em> and <em>M. enterolobii</em> were identified, and the sequences and structures of the coding proteins were highly conserved in these two root-knot nematode species. <em>TPS</em> and <em>TPP</em> were induced for expression by cold stress in eggs and J2s. Their up-regulation in the early stage of low-temperature treatment caused a significant increase in TPS and TPP activities, leading to the rise of trehalose levels in J2s. Silencing of <em>TPS</em> or <em>TPP</em> alone, as well as their co-silencing, resulted in decreased trehalose levels and a decline in low-temperature resistance in <em>M. incognita</em> and <em>M. enterolobii</em>. Co-silencing of <em>TPS</em> and <em>TPP</em> exhibited stronger interference effects than silencing of <em>TPS</em> or <em>TPP</em> alone. This study demonstrates that <em>TPS</em> and <em>TPP</em> contribute to low-temperature resistance in <em>M. incognita</em> and <em>M. enterolobii</em> by regulating trehalose metabolism.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 103135"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188038","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":"Whole genome profiling of nematicidal Bacillus thuringiensis strain T210 and toxicity analysis against Caenorhabditis elegans","authors":"Chellapandiyan Berryish Metha ,&nbsp;Gothandaraman Rajadurai ,&nbsp;Venkatasamy Balasubramani ,&nbsp;Rajasekaran Raghu ,&nbsp;Mannu Jayakanthan ,&nbsp;Eswaran Kokiladevi ,&nbsp;Marimuthu Murugan","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103080","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103080","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Using whole-genome sequencing, toxicity assays, and SDS-PAGE protein profiling, the molecular intricacies of T210, an indigenous <em>Bacillus thuringiensis</em> isolate, were investigated to elucidate its pesticidal properties. Bright-field microscopy revealed distinct crystalline protein inclusions during sporulation, which were further confirmed through scanning electron microscopy. Toxicity assays against four species of lepidopteran pests and the model nematode <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em> demonstrated a strikingly selective activity: no mortality in lepidopterans but 100 % mortality in <em>C. elegans</em> at 500 μg/mL (tested across 50–500 μg/mL). Probit analysis indicated an LC₅₀ of 323.79 μg/mL for T210, compared to 42.40 μg/mL for the reference nematicidal strain 4XX4 (YBT-1518). PCR screening and SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed the presence of the nematicidal toxin-encoding genes <em>cry14</em> and <em>cry21</em>. Whole genome sequencing further confirmed the presence of <em>cry14A</em> and <em>cry21C,</em> and several additional toxin genes <em>viz</em>., x<em>pp77-</em>like<em>, tpp35-like, tpp, tpp35-like, vpa, spp1Aa, mpp3-</em>like<em>, xpp77A,</em> and <em>mpp3-</em>like. In addition, multiple virulence-associated genes, such as <em>hemolysin</em> <em>XhlA, phospholipase C, sphingomyelinase, immune inhibitor A, cell wall hydrolases, chitinase</em>, and seven urease subunit-coding genes were identified in T210 and may act synergistically to enhance toxin activation or host penetration. Due to the presence of dual nematicidal toxin genes (<em>cry14</em> and <em>cry21</em>), the likelihood of resistance, if any, will be lower or delayed. These findings unravel the intricate nematicidal potential of T210 and establish a foundation for exploring its tailored applications in sustainable pest management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 103080"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145747302","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":"Exploiting hydrogen cyanide producing Rhizobacteria to combat Fusarium equiseti and improve sugar beet performance","authors":"Manal F. Abdelall ,&nbsp;Shimaa El-Gamal ,&nbsp;Walaa R. Abdelghany","doi":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103069","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.103069","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sugar beet production is threatened by soilborne pathogens such as <em>Fusarium equiseti</em>, which cause severe root rot and economic losses. Sustainable alternatives to chemical fungicides are highly needed. This study investigates hydrogen cyanide (HCN)-producing Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) isolated from Wadi El-Natrun, Egypt, and explores their dual role in both suppressing pathogens and enhancing sugar beet growth. The novelty lies in integrating the biocontrol potential of HCN-producing PGPR with their nutrient-mobilizing abilities and induced host resistance against <em>F. equiseti</em>. A total of 345 rhizobacterial isolates were recovered from rhizosphere soil. Twelve HCN-producing isolates were screened for plant growth-promoting traits, including phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid production, siderophore synthesis, and HCN generation. Antagonistic activity against <em>F. equiseti</em> was assessed through <em>in vitro</em> confrontation assays. Molecular identification was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Greenhouse experiments revealed that four isolates <em>Bacillus stercoris</em> (WHS254), <em>Bacillus sonorensis</em> (WHS224), <em>Pseudomonas fluvialis</em> (WHS40), and <em>Bacillus nitratireducens</em> (WHW102) exhibited strong antifungal activity and significantly reduced disease incidence, damping-off, and root rot severity. These isolates also enhanced root growth, sugar accumulation, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. The selected HCN-producing PGPR strains demonstrated synergistic effects in promoting sugar beet health and suppressing <em>F. equiseti</em>. Their ability to stimulate host defenses, enhance nutrient availability, and reduce disease severity highlights their potential as sustainable biocontrol agents. This work contributes new insights into the ecological role of biogenic HCN in plant protection and soil health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20046,"journal":{"name":"Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology","volume":"142 ","pages":"Article 103069"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840069","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}