All Soil & Plant Science articles – Page 5
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NewsPumpkin disease not evolving - which could make a difference for management
The bacterium, Xanthomonas cucurbitae, is so successful that it has had no reason to evolve through time or space, according to new research characterizing the pathogen’s genetic diversity across the Midwest.
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NewsResearchers develop new way for beneficial microbes to survive extreme conditions and space exploration
The team’s formulations allow microbial therapeutics to maintain their potency and function over time despite extreme temperatures, harsh manufacturing processes, and radiation exposure.
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NewsImaging techniques reveal detail of soybean nodule structures for improved nitrogen fixation efficiency
Researchers have used synchrotron-based X-ray microcomputed tomography to non-invasively obtain high-quality 3D images of fresh soybean root nodules, quantifying the volumes of the central infected zone and vascular bundles.
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NewsCertain bacteria or fungi can combat a plant pathogen that attacks common vetch
A new study reveals that treating common vetch with certain bacteria or fungi that promote plant growth may be effective for combating anthracnose, a severe disease caused by the Colletotrichum spinaciae plant pathogen.
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NewsDecoding disease defenses: miRNAs and the battle against apple pathogens
A new study illuminates the genetic dynamics in tissue-specific interactions between apple trees and Valsa mali, a fungus causing severe disease.
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FeaturesPGPR Strategies for Climate-Resilient Agriculture
In the face of environmental degradation and climate change, farmers are increasingly challenged to sustain productivity and ensure food security.
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NewsDesert-loving fungi and lichens pose deadly threat to 5,000-year-old rock art
A study has revealed that the petroglyphs of the Negev desert are home to a community of uncommon specialist fungi and lichens. Unfortunately, these species may pose a serious threat to the rock art in the long term.
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NewsRetreating glaciers: fungi enhance carbon storage in young Arctic soils
Melting Arctic glaciers are in rapid recession, and microscopic pioneers colonize the new exposed landscapes. A new study has revealed that yeasts play an important role in soil formation in the Arctic.
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NewsMicroscopic fungi enhance soil carbon storage in new landscapes created by shrinking Arctic glaciers
Melting Arctic glaciers are in rapid recession, and microscopic organisms colonise the newly exposed landscapes. A new study reveals that yeasts play an important role in soil formation in the Arctic after glaciers have melted away.
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NewsPotato blight pathogen probably originated in the Andes before spreading worldwide
A new study challenges the common theory that the devastating potato blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans originated in Mexico. Researchers meticulously reconstructed its global migration history and found it likely originated in the South American Andes before spreading globally. Source: Gareth James Famine memorial, Dublin. The potato blight pathogen ...
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NewsFertilizer strategies can shape microbial communities in the rhizosphere
Fertilizer strategies can play a key role in the diversity of microbial communities in the crop rhizosphere, according to a new study.
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NewsScientists discover genetic ‘off switch’ in legume plants that limits biological ability to source nutrients
The discovery of a new genetic regulator in legumes could be key to understanding how to increase the crop’s capacity to convert nitrogen from the air and improve soil quality.
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NewsMultidrug-resistant fungi found in commercial soil, compost and flower bulbs
A study has found high levels of multidrug-resistant fungi in commercially available compost, soil and flower bulbs. Named a critical public health threat by WHO, Aspergillus fumigatus is potentially deadly to immunocompromised people.
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NewsUnearthing the plant’s arsenal against pathogenic fungi
A new study has shed light on the intricate mechanisms of nonhost resistance (NHR) in plants, a critical defense against a broad spectrum of pathogens.
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NewsMashed up purple marine bacteria make an excellent eco-friendly fertilizer
New research published in npj Sustainable Agriculture reports that biomass made from the purple photosynthetic marine bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum is an excellent nitrogen fertilizer. Source: RIKEN Japanese mustard spinach grown in two inorganic nitrogen fertilizers (C1 and C2), and the biomass fertilizer at 1, 2, and 4 times ...
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NewsPaper-based biosensor offers fast, easy detection of fecal contamination on produce farms
Researchers are introducing a new biosensor technology to farms inspired by advances during the pandemic. The system delivered 100% accurate results within an hour of in-field sample collection on a commercial fresh produce farm.
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NewsCold climate wheat varieties could provide answers to blast threat
New research unexpectedly reveals that wheat varieties with resistance to another pathogen, powdery mildew, also confer protection against wheat blast.
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NewsNew approach to measuring ‘healthy microbiomes’ in nature and the gut
Focusing on four common diseases – diabetes, heart disease, depression and bowel cancer – new research provides insights into the importance of a healthy microbiome balance in the human gut and in the environment.
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NewsOverlooked pathway could be game-changer for ecosystem climate services
The potential for permanent carbon storage in ecosystems that use the oxalate-carbonate pathway (OCP) could be greater than previously estimated, according to a new study.
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NewsWild chimpanzees seek out medicinal plants to treat illness and injuries
The study combined behavioral observations of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) with pharmacological testing of the potentially medicinal plants they eat.
