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Plant–Microbe–Environment Interactions Under Current Climate Constraints: Unravelling Mechanisms of Pathogen...
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Plant–Microbe–Environment Interactions Under Current Climate Constraints: Unravelling Mechanisms of Pathogen Action and Host Defense in Agroforestry Systems

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 3275

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Arcangela Frascella

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Guest Editor
Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP), SS Sesto Fiorentino, National Research Council (CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
Interests: fungal biology; biocontrol; fungal genetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alessandra Benigno

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Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Forestry Science and Technology (DAGRI), Plant Pathology and Entomology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Interests: tree pathology; ecology of invasive species; fungal endophytes; oomycetes; plant protection; biocontrol
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The plant–microbe–environment relationship is complex and dynamic. Plant and soil microbiomes work together to mediate and influence the various exchanges that contribute to plant health and productivity.

In this scenario, environmental changes play a crucial role in influencing the spread of native and non-native invasive pathogens, as well as their impact on ecosystem dynamics. The study of the adaptation of the microbial community and the response of host plants to current climate warming is still little known and requires further investigation.

A proper understanding of the tripartite plant–microbe–environment interaction, the disease processes, the determinants of pathogenicity and the underlying molecular mechanisms is crucial for effective disease control in forestry and agriculture. This Special Issue aims to collect manuscripts offering a broader knowledge on infection strategies and pathogenicity of plant pathogens. Manuscripts on sustainable agriculture and new forest management strategies are also welcome.

Dr. Arcangela Frascella
Dr. Alessandra Benigno
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microorganism–plant interactions
  • plant disease
  • biodiversity
  • secondary metabolites
  • biocontrol
  • invasive pathogens
  • oomycetes
  • climate change

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 4986 KiB  
Article
The Unseen Impacts of Human Footprints: How Land Use Reshapes Actinobacterial Communities in the Brazilian Cerrado
by Fernando Gouveia Cavalcante, Leonardo Lima Bandeira, Christiana Mara de Assis Faria, Ariel de Figueiredo Nogueira Mesquita, João Moreira de Matos Neto, Claudia Miranda Martins and Suzana Claudia Silveira Martins
Biology 2025, 14(4), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14040390 - 9 Apr 2025
Viewed by 367
Abstract
Evaluating microbial community changes in soils allows the understanding of ecoevolutionary dynamics, providing information on microbiome responses to anthropological interferences, reduced biodiversity, and climatic changes. The actinobacteria phylum plays crucial roles from an ecological point of view and is the focus of the [...] Read more.
Evaluating microbial community changes in soils allows the understanding of ecoevolutionary dynamics, providing information on microbiome responses to anthropological interferences, reduced biodiversity, and climatic changes. The actinobacteria phylum plays crucial roles from an ecological point of view and is the focus of the present study, which tracked changes in the actinobacterial communities from Brazilian Cerrado soil in an environmental protection unit, based on different land uses. The evaluation of 16S rRNA and further taxonomical clustering of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) indicated Actinomycetales as the main order within all land uses, ranging from 45.4–70.1%, with Micrococales and Rubrobacterales being found only in agricultural soils. The evaluation of taxonomical classes revealed Actinobacteria as the main representative in all land uses (45.5–70.4%), with a paired coprevalence of Thermoleophilia (43.4%) in secondary soils, a taxon associated with phosphorus-deficient grounds. The unraveling of families and genera was most challenging due to the OTUs’ dispersion given the volume of data, coupled with a high percentage of unidentified genera (71.6–86.1%), mainly in conserved and preserved areas. The reduced biodiversity, reduced undescribed taxa, and enhanced potentially pathogenic strains in anthropogenic affected sites, which suffer more from climatic changes, denote the harm that human activity causes to microbiological diversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant–Microbe–Environment Interactions Under Current Climate Constraints: Unravelling Mechanisms of Pathogen Action and Host Defense in Agroforestry Systems)
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12 pages, 501 KiB  
Article
The Combination Effect of Purpureocillium lilacinum Strain (AUMC 10620) and Avermectin (B1a and B1b) on Control Citrus Nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans (Cobb) Under Laboratory and Field Conditions
by Amr M. El-Marzoky, Mohamed A. M. S. Ali, Ahmed S. M. Elnahal, Dalia A. Abuljadayel, Wafa A. H. Alkherb, Mahmoud Moustafa, Mohammed O. Alshaharni and Elsayed M. Abd El-Aal
Biology 2025, 14(1), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14010060 - 13 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 694
Abstract
This study investigates the nematicidal efficacy of Purpureocillium lilacinum strain (AUMC 10620) combined with avermectin (B1a and B1b) against the citrus nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans, both in vitro and in vivo. Laboratory experiments tested four concentrations of P. lilacinum (2.5, 5, 10, and [...] Read more.
This study investigates the nematicidal efficacy of Purpureocillium lilacinum strain (AUMC 10620) combined with avermectin (B1a and B1b) against the citrus nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans, both in vitro and in vivo. Laboratory experiments tested four concentrations of P. lilacinum (2.5, 5, 10, and 15 × 107 spores/mL) mixed with 250 ppm avermectin, assessing their effects on nematode juveniles (J2) and eggs. Results showed significant increases in juvenile mortality and egg hatching inhibition with the combined treatments compared to individual applications. The highest concentration (15 × 107 spores/mL + 250 ppm avermectin) achieved 100% juvenile mortality and 83.33% egg hatching inhibition after 72 h. Field trials confirmed the superior efficacy of the combined treatment, with P. lilacinum (15 × 107 spores/mL) and avermectin (1000 ppm) reducing nematode populations by 70.85% in mandarin trees and 70.77% in sweet orange trees after three weeks, compared to the 83.59% and 81.76% reduction, respectively, achieved by oxamyl. These findings suggest that mixtures of P. lilacinum and avermectin can serve as effective, eco-friendly alternatives for controlling nematodes in citrus orchards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant–Microbe–Environment Interactions Under Current Climate Constraints: Unravelling Mechanisms of Pathogen Action and Host Defense in Agroforestry Systems)
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Review

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15 pages, 2284 KiB  
Review
Insights into the Biotic Factors Shaping Ectomycorrhizal Associations
by Belkacem El Amrani
Biology 2024, 13(12), 1044; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121044 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1096
Abstract
Ectomycorrhizal (EM) associations are essential symbiotic relationships that contribute significantly to the health and functioning of forest ecosystems. This review examines the biotic factors that influence EM associations, focusing on plant and fungal diversity, host specificity, and microbial interactions. Firstly, the diversity of [...] Read more.
Ectomycorrhizal (EM) associations are essential symbiotic relationships that contribute significantly to the health and functioning of forest ecosystems. This review examines the biotic factors that influence EM associations, focusing on plant and fungal diversity, host specificity, and microbial interactions. Firstly, the diversity of host plants and ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) is discussed, highlighting how the richness of these organisms affects the formation and success of EM symbioses. Next, host specificity is explored, with a focus on the complex relationships between EMF and their host plants. Microbial interactions are examined in depth, with sections on both positive and negative influences of bacteria and different fungal groups on EM formation. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the biotic factors that shape EM associations, offering insights into the mechanisms that underpin these critical ecological interactions and their broader implications for ecosystem management and restoration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant–Microbe–Environment Interactions Under Current Climate Constraints: Unravelling Mechanisms of Pathogen Action and Host Defense in Agroforestry Systems)
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