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Biology
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Biological Control and Molecular Biology of Bacterial Plant Diseases
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Biological Control and Molecular Biology of Bacterial Plant Diseases

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2027 | Viewed by 3674

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lei Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: vegetables diseases; biological control; pathogenesis; functional genes; plant-bacterial interactions; secondary metabolites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xiaofeng Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Interests: bacteriology; bacterial cell cycle; bacterial physiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bacterial plant diseases represent a significant challenge to global agriculture, causing substantial losses in crop productivity and quality. Conventional chemical control methods, while effective, are often associated with unintended consequences, such as environmental contamination and the emergence of resistant pathogen strains. In response, there is a growing emphasis on developing sustainable and eco-friendly biological control strategies. This Special Issue is dedicated to advancing the field by compiling cutting-edge research on the biological control and molecular biology of bacterial plant diseases, fostering scientific dialogue and innovation.

The Special Issue will explore a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, the utilization of beneficial microorganisms like antagonistic bacteria and endophytes for disease management, molecular mechanisms underlying pathogen–host interactions, and the application of advanced genetic engineering tools such as RNA interference and CRISPR for disease control. Additionally, we will highlight the role of omics technologies—genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics—in identifying novel resistance genes and biological control agents. We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and concise communications that contribute to the understanding and advancement of these areas.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Lei Li
Dr. Xiaofeng Zhou
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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 semimonthly 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

  • bacterial plant diseases
  • biological control
  • plant pathogens
  • endophytes
  • genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic studies of antagonistic or pathogenic bacteria interactions
  • pathogenic mechanism

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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18 pages, 3286 KB  
Article
Microbial Differences in Rhizospheric and Ednophytic Microbiota in Healthy Chinese Yam Roots and Those Affected by Yam End Black Disease
by Yuwei Liu, Fanli Zeng, Zhimin Hao, Jia Li, Shipeng Han, Minggang Han, Chaoyang Feng, Jingao Dong and Yunzhuan He
Biology 2026, 15(4), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15040366 - 22 Feb 2026
Viewed by 536
Abstract
Yam end black disease (YEBD) is a devastating soil-borne disease that severely compromises the yield of Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.). Despite its agricultural importance, the etiological agents and molecular mechanisms underlying YEBD remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed an [...] Read more.
Yam end black disease (YEBD) is a devastating soil-borne disease that severely compromises the yield of Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.). Despite its agricultural importance, the etiological agents and molecular mechanisms underlying YEBD remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed an integrated multi-omics approach, combining transcriptomics and microbiome analysis, to dissect the host responses and microbial shifts associated with YEBD. De novo transcriptome assembly revealed significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes involved in polyamine metabolism and hormone signaling pathways. Microbiome profiling identified a substantial increase in nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in diseased samples, which correlated negatively with the beneficial fungus Cladosporium. Bacterial community analysis showed an increase in Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes and a decrease in Actinobacteria and Firmicutes in YEBD-affected roots. Notably, the rhizosphere microbiome was less affected than the endophytic community, suggesting that internal microbial dysbiosis plays a critical role in disease progression. These findings provide new insights into the interactions among yam, nematodes, and microbes, offering potential strategies for biocontrol and disease management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control and Molecular Biology of Bacterial Plant Diseases)
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Review

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21 pages, 980 KB  
Review
Diffusible Signal Factors and Xylella fastidiosa: A Crucial Mechanism Yet to Be Revealed
by Letizia Portaccio, Marzia Vergine, Mariarosaria De Pascali, Luigi De Bellis and Andrea Luvisi
Biology 2025, 14(3), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14030303 - 17 Mar 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2615
Abstract
Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is a xylem-limited Gram-negative phytopathogen responsible for severe plant diseases globally. Colonization and dissemination on host plants are regulated primarily by diffusible signal factors (DSFs) and quorum sensing (QS) molecules regulating biofilm formation, motility, and virulence factor synthesis. [...] Read more.
Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is a xylem-limited Gram-negative phytopathogen responsible for severe plant diseases globally. Colonization and dissemination on host plants are regulated primarily by diffusible signal factors (DSFs) and quorum sensing (QS) molecules regulating biofilm formation, motility, and virulence factor synthesis. DSFs play a critical role in the transition of bacteria from adhesion to dispersal phases, influencing plant infection and transmission by vector. Because of Xf’s host range (over 550 plant species), effective containment strategies are highly demanded. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanism of DSF-mediated signalling in Xf, especially concerning its role in pathogenicity and adaptation. Moreover, we shed light on innovative approaches to manage Xf, including quorum-quenching (QQ) strategies and transgenic plants targeted to disrupt QS pathways. Improved knowledge of DSF interactions with host plants and bacterial communities could provide an entry point for novel, sustainable disease control strategies to decrease Xf’s agricultural and ecological impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control and Molecular Biology of Bacterial Plant Diseases)
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