All Soil & Plant Science articles
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NewsSimultaneous knockout of multiple eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E genes confers durable and broad-spectrum resistance to potyviruses in tobacco
Resistant tobacco varieties carrying the va locus significantly reduced Potato virus Y (PVY) incidence and yield loss, according to a new study. However, prolonged cultivation of va-resistant varieties has led to the emergence of resistance-breaking (RB) PVY isolates.
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NewsScientists reveal gene pairs conferring resistance to wheat diseases
A research team led by Prof. Liu Zhiyong at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has identified two novel genetic mechanisms for disease resistance in wheat, offering promising strategies to enhance resilience against powdery mildew and stripe rust. The discoveries were published in ...
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NewsUrgent need to quantify role of fungal toxins in rising liver cancer rates in Ghana
There’s an urgent need to quantify the role of aflatoxins, found on agricultural crops, such as maize and peanuts, in the escalating rates of liver cancer in Ghana, as well as elsewhere in Africa and Asia, concludes a commentary.
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NewsResearchers pinpoint fungal hotspots of ‘dark taxa’ across Earth’s underground ecosystems
A new study finds that 83% of ectomycorrhizal fungi are known only by their DNA sequences that can’t be linked to named or described species, posing problems for conservation.
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NewsGene pyramiding protects peppers from devastating viral diseases
Researchers demonstrates how combining two different resistance genes can make pepper plants remarkably more resilient against even the most virulent begomovirus combinations.
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NewsDrone-based tech deployed to detect subtle signs of rice blast disease
Scientists have developed a novel vegetation index—the Rice Blast Index (RBI)—using drone-based hyperspectral remote sensing technology, to rapidly and non-invasively detect subtle signs of rice blast disease and achieve precise field management.
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NewsNew study reveals global warming accelerates antibiotic resistance in soils
A new international study has revealed that climate change is accelerating the rate of development and global abundances of antibiotic resistance bacteria in soils.
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NewsNanoparticle smart spray helps crops block infection before it starts
As climate change fuels the spread of plant diseases worldwide, a new nanoparticle smart spray could help crops defend themselves by blocking harmful bacteria from entering through tiny pores in their leaves.
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News‘What’s wrong with my lawn?’ Research points toward possible answer
A new article provides critical knowledge about large patch, a disease that can compromise the health, aesthetics and usability of turfgrass. It provides comprehensive information covering the disease’s pathology, progression and management.
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NewsFungal resistance in wheat: preserving biodiversity for food security
Researchers have found traditional wheat varieties from Asia that harbor several genes that confer resistance against yellow rust. They may serve as a durable source of yellow rust resistance in commercial varieties in the future.
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NewsMicrobes revealed as missing link in potato cyst nematode cycle
Potatoes produce a molecule that is converted by microbes and causes potato parasites to hatch. The discovery of this three-way relationship not only adds a new perspective to how plants interact with their environment, it also opens a path to countermeasures.
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NewsScientists deploy multi-scale features and attention mechanisms to optimize apple disease identification
A new machine learning algorithm-based disease recognition model elevated the accuracy of apple leaf disease identification to 96.76%, significantly outperforming mainstream models. It allows farmers to swiftly implement targeted treatments via mobile apps.
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NewsStudent discovers long-awaited mystery fungus sought by LSD’s inventor
A student has found a long sought-after fungus that produces effects similar to the semisynthetic drug LSD, which is used to treat conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction.
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NewsEndophytic fungi from halophyte plant found to boost maize growth and salt tolerance
A new study demonstrates the promising role of endophytic fungi from halophytes in enhancing the salt tolerance and growth of maize under saline conditions.
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NewsCotton virus circulated undetected in US fields for nearly 20 years, study finds
A virus responsible for damaging cotton crops has been lurking in U.S. fields for nearly 20 years – undetected. Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV), thought to be a recent arrival, was infecting plants in cotton-growing states as early as 2006.
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NewsTrees vs. disease: Tree cover reduces mosquito-borne health risk
A new study shows that in Costa Rica, even modest patches of tree cover can reduce the presence of invasive mosquito species known to transmit diseases like dengue fever.
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NewsBacterial species join forces to boost production in soybean - without disrupting soil microbiome
Combining a bacterial isolate with rhizobia can boost soybean production without disrupting the natural soil microbiome, a new study reveals.
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NewsStudy reveals shift to mycorrhizal fungi for nutrient acquisition under carbon limitation
Scientists investigated the responses of roots and mycorrhiza to C limitation in mature ectomycorrhizas trees, Pinus taeda, offering new insights into mycorrhizal association with host roots.
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NewsCucumber green mottle mosaic virus breakthrough: uncovering novel antiviral strategy by hijacking host proteins
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in their study of the Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV). CGMMV utilizes the host cytosolic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) to catalyze the formation of BMCs via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS).
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NewsRising temperatures lead to unexpectedly rapid carbon release from soils
Scientists investigate the sensitivity of soil carbon, which is directly related to the release of CO2 from soils, under a changing climate, such as rising temperatures and/or variations in the hydrological cycle.