Dysbiosis, the disruption of plant-associated microbial communities, is increasingly recognized as a driver of impaired plant health. Notably, plant dysbiosis parallels disruptions of the human gut mi...

EPNs have broader metabolic modulation. Energy reserves (proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) and transaminases decreased; detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes increased; and digestive enzymes, immune....

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are highly successful economically important parasites but our knowledge about them derives almost exclusively from agricultural systems. This crop-centred perspective overlooks the evolutionary processes that shaped nematode parasitism and how host plants cope with these parasites long before agriculture emerged. Here, we review the PPN perspective on agriculture by integrating the natural phylogeography, ecology, reproductive biology, and coevolutionary history of PPNs. We discuss how various life-history traits facilitated the adaptation of PPNs to agricultural environments, enabling these parasites to become the devastating pests they are today. This evolutionary perspective provides new insights into PPN virulence, persistence, and spread. Furthermore, it may guide the development of more sustainable management strategies.

Rice root-knot nematode (RRKN, Meloidogyne graminicola) is a destructive nematodes threatening global rice production. Few RRKN-resistant resources have been reported and their natural variations remain largely unknown. Here, we identify RRKN susceptibility factor 1 (Rsf1), encoding a cysteine-rich protein, via Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS), multi-omics analysis, and functional validation. A natural variation in the TATA-box of OsRsf1 is observed, wherein RRKN-susceptible rice accessions contain haplotype (Hap) A while resistant accessions contain HapG. OsRsf1 with HapA is highly expressed and induced by RRKN infection, while HapG OsRsf1 shows low expression, conferring enhanced RRKN resistance. We further demonstrate that transcription factor Myb44 promotes OsRsf1 expression. Knockouts of OsRsf1 in rice and its ortholog AtRsf1 in Arabidopsis significantly enhanced nematode resistance, indicating that functional conservation. Mutations in OsRsf1 trigger a general defence respons

Botany One interviews Dr Edel Pérez-López, a researcher combining plant pathology, genomics and artificial intelligence to develop more resilient crops and sustainable disease management.

When cold and flu season comes around, we take steps like getting our flu shots and taking immune supplements to strengthen our bodies' defenses against pathogens. Plants face pathogenic threats, too. Plant pathogens can have devastating effects on crop yields, with up to 40% of global food crops lost annually, and such losses have severe implications for food security. But what if we could boost plant immune systems as we do our own and make them better able to withstand or fend off biological threats?

'My lab previously showed that nematodes, which are ubiquitous in soil and include many plant and animal parasites, produce these simple

Seeking Chief Editor of in silico Plants to provide strategic leadership, define the journal’s scientific vision, and oversee its editorial direction.

The mechanisms by which bacterial endosymbionts (bacteria living within fungal cells) enhance the fitness and virulence of fungal pathogens remain poo…

The first integrated AI platform for early pine wilt disease was introduced in China's eastern city of Nanjing on August 12.Pine wilt disease, often referred to as the "cancer of pine trees," rarely c...

Around 140,000 trees have been affected, leading to calls for a resumption of aerial pesticide spraying to control the damage.

YouTube video by David Pires

Science comedy show : n. m. arme de divulgation massive de contenus scientifiques. Le Science Comedy Show est une troupe de théâtre hétéroclite composée de scientifiques de disciplines variées qui jou...