Detection, Diagnostics and Management Control Strategies of Plant Pathogens

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Protection, Diseases, Pests and Weeds".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 1536

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant pathogens are a major cause of significant economic losses in global food production, affecting a wide variety of crops. Early detection, accurate diagnostics, and effective control measures are critical to minimizing these losses and ensuring food security. Traditional methods of pathogen control, such as chemical treatments, have often led to undesirable consequences, including environmental contamination, health risks to agricultural workers, and negative impacts on non-target organisms such as beneficial insects, pollinators, and soil microbiota.

In recent years, there has been a shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches for managing plant pathogens. These include advanced diagnostic technologies, bio-based solutions, and integrated management strategies that minimize the use of synthetic chemicals. Molecular tools, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and CRISPR-based technologies have revolutionized pathogen detection, allowing for the early and precise identification of pathogens, even before the appearance of symptoms. In addition, novel biocontrol agents, including beneficial microorganisms and natural compounds, are being developed to target specific pathogens without harming the surrounding ecosystem.

This Special Issue aims to gather cutting-edge research on the detection, diagnostics, and control of plant pathogens. We welcome original scientific contributions that explore innovative technologies, molecular diagnostics, early detection methods, and sustainable pathogen control strategies. Studies focused on both laboratory and field applications are encouraged, with particular attention being paid to research that provides comprehensive and conclusive results.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Novel diagnostic tools and molecular methods for pathogen detection;
  • Integration of omics technologies (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) in pathogen identification;
  • Advances in rapid and early detection systems for plant diseases;
  • Development and application of biocontrol agents for pathogen suppression;
  • The role of microbial communities in pathogen resistance and disease control;
  • Sustainable and integrated pest management approaches;
  • Innovative technologies for monitoring pathogen spread and epidemiology.

We invite contributions that provide insights into these topics and propose solutions that enhance our understanding of plant–pathogen interactions and control mechanisms.

Prof. Dr. Rachid Lahlali
Dr. Moussa El Jarroudi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • plant diseases
  • pathogens
  • detection
  • diagnostic
  • biocontrol

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 5814 KiB  
Article
Whole-Genome Identification and Analysis of Carbohydrate Esterase Gene Family in Colletotrichum graminicola
by Wenting Zhu, Limin Wang, Honglian Li, Yan Shi, Jiaxin Chang, Senbo Wang, Xu Liu, Penghao Ma, Jinzhang Zhao, Yan Liu and Yafei Wang
Agriculture 2025, 15(7), 781; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15070781 - 3 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Colletotrichum graminicola can cause leaf spots and stalk rot in maize. The primary function of carbohydrate esterases (CEs) is to eliminate ester modifications from monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides, thereby facilitating the hydrolysis of sugars. We identified 128 CE genes through whole-genome analysis and [...] Read more.
Colletotrichum graminicola can cause leaf spots and stalk rot in maize. The primary function of carbohydrate esterases (CEs) is to eliminate ester modifications from monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides, thereby facilitating the hydrolysis of sugars. We identified 128 CE genes through whole-genome analysis and functional annotation of C. graminicola TZ–3 here. We further analyzed the physicochemical properties, subcellular localization, conserved motifs, gene structures, promoter regulatory elements of these 128 C. graminicola CE (CgCE) genes. Our results indicated that half of the CgCE proteins were located extracellularly. The CgCE proteins demonstrated diversity in both their structures and motifs. Furthermore, the CgCE gene family contained numerous conserved domains, suggesting potential functional diversity. Regulatory elements associated with various stresses and plant hormones were identified in this study. GO enrichment and expression pattern analysis indicated that the CgCE genes were involved in metabolic processes and might contribute to the establishment of fungal infections and lesion expansion. These results enhance our understanding of the CE family genes in C. graminicola and provide a foundation for further investigations into their roles in fungal pathogenesis. Full article
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15 pages, 3776 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Phytophthora and Pythium Species Associated with Root Rot of Olive Trees in Morocco
by Ikram Legrifi, Abderrahim Lazraq, Jamila Al Figuigui, Zineb Belabess, Moussa El Jarroudi and Rachid Lahlali
Agriculture 2025, 15(4), 435; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15040435 - 19 Feb 2025
Viewed by 528
Abstract
The olive tree is one of the most important fruit crops grown in Morocco, yet extensive decline associated with the root rot of this crop has been observed in many regions. This study aimed to identify and characterize the oomycetes associated with root [...] Read more.
The olive tree is one of the most important fruit crops grown in Morocco, yet extensive decline associated with the root rot of this crop has been observed in many regions. This study aimed to identify and characterize the oomycetes associated with root rot disease in olive trees. During the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons, symptomatic root tissues and soil samples were collected for isolation. Based on morphological traits and the sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, 10 oomycete species were identified, belonging to the Phytophthora and Pythium sensu lato (s.l.) genera. Seven species were assigned to Phytophthora, namely, P. palmivora, P. plurivora, P. acerina, P. oleae, P. cactorum, P. gonapodyides, and P. megasperma. The Pythium s.l. genus was represented by three species, including P. schmitthenneri, P. aphanidermatum, and P. irregulare. A pathogenicity assay was conducted by soil infestation to evaluate the effect of these pathogens on one-year-old olive saplings (var. Picholine Marocaine). Results revealed that all 10 species were pathogenic to olive saplings. Inoculated saplings exhibited symptoms, such as root rot, vascular discoloration, and wilting. The pathogens were successfully re-isolated from necrotic roots, thereby fulfilling Koch’s postulates. These findings highlight the complex etiology of root rot disease in olive trees, as multiple species can induce similar symptoms. This study represents the first detailed report of Phytophthora and Pythium s.l. species associated with olive root rot disease in Morocco. Full article
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