Integrated Management of Plant Fungal Diseases

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungi in Agriculture and Biotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 2050

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Extension Service, Davis College of Agriculture, West Virginia University, 1194 Evansdale Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
Interests: plant disease diagnostics; epidemiology and management of plant fungal diseases; integrated plant disease management; biological control; chemical control; soilborne pathogens; fungicide resistance management

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Guest Editor
Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh
Interests: rhizosphere ecology; microbial bioremediation; genome editing; emerging pollutants; sustainable environmental technology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fungal pathogens are the major cause of plant diseases among the biotic agents and can be highly damaging under a conducive environment, significantly reducing yield and quality. Fungicides have been widely used to control plant diseases. However, the injudicious use of fungicide products can adversely affect human health and the environment, in addition to resistance development in fungal populations. Alternative options under integrated disease management (IDM) have gained popularity due to their proven role in providing sustainability in disease management and thus maximizing crop yield. Reduced fungicide use under the IDM strategy minimizes the potential of resistance development in fungal populations and complies with regulations pertaining to fungicide residue on produce for the export market. This Special Issue will include the latest critical findings on different aspects of IDM that support fungicide resistance management, sustainability, environmental protection, resilience to climate change, compliance with regulations, and economic benefits for growers.

Prof. Dr. Mahfuz Rahman
Prof. Dr. Tofazzal Islam
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. Journal of Fungi 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 2600 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

  • fungi
  • plant disease
  • integrated management
  • biology
  • epidemiology
  • biological control
  • chemical control
  • host resistance
  • fungicide resistance

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 11662 KiB  
Article
Antifungal Activity of Difenoconazole-Loaded Microcapsules against Curvularia lunata
by Xiaoyu Chang, Yuyan Wang, Abbas Zain, Haibing Yu and Weidong Huang
J. Fungi 2024, 10(8), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10080519 - 25 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Difenoconazole-loaded (CS-DIF) microcapsules were synthesized by encapsulating difenoconazole into biocompatible chitosan. The physical and chemical properties indicated that the encapsulation and chemical loading rates were 85.58% and 61.98%, respectively. The microcapsules exhibited prominent controlled-release and surface stability performance. The cumulative release rate was [...] Read more.
Difenoconazole-loaded (CS-DIF) microcapsules were synthesized by encapsulating difenoconazole into biocompatible chitosan. The physical and chemical properties indicated that the encapsulation and chemical loading rates were 85.58% and 61.98%, respectively. The microcapsules exhibited prominent controlled-release and surface stability performance. The cumulative release rate was only 33.6% in 168 h, and the contact angle decreased by 11.73° at 120 s compared with difenoconazole. The antifungal activity of the CS-DIF microcapsules against Curvularia lunata was confirmed through observations of colony growth, in vitro and in vivo inoculation, mycelium morphology, as well as DNA and protein leakage. The antioxidant enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase decreased by 65.1%, 84.9%, and 69.7%, respectively, when Curvularia lunata was treated with 200 μg/mL microcapsules, compared with the control in 24 h. The enzymatic activity of polyphenol oxidase decreased by 323.8%. The reactive oxygen species contents of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anions increased by 204.6% and 164%, respectively. Additionally, the soluble sugar and soluble protein contents decreased by 65.5% and 69.6%, respectively. These findings provided a novel approach to control the growth of C. lunata efficiently, laying a foundation for reducing the quantity and enhancing the efficiency of chemical pesticides. The CS-DIF microcapsules exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on fungus, effectively preventing and controlling leaf spot disease and showing potential for field applications. This study might be of great significance in ensuring plant protection strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Management of Plant Fungal Diseases)
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13 pages, 10363 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Fungicide Sensitivity of Phaeosphaeriopsis obtusispora That Causes Marginal Leaf Blight in Agave hybrid H.11648
by Weihuai Wu, Guihua Wang, Erli Li, Shibei Tan, Gang Xu, Xing Huang, Helong Chen, Yanqiong Liang, Rui Li, Jianfeng Qin and Kexian Yi
J. Fungi 2024, 10(7), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10070486 - 14 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Sisal is an important tropical cash crop in southern China. Unfortunately, it is threatened by various diseases. In 2022, a new disease tentatively named marginal leaf blight disease (MLBD) was first observed in sisal fields across Guangxi and Guangdong provinces, with an incidence [...] Read more.
Sisal is an important tropical cash crop in southern China. Unfortunately, it is threatened by various diseases. In 2022, a new disease tentatively named marginal leaf blight disease (MLBD) was first observed in sisal fields across Guangxi and Guangdong provinces, with an incidence rate ranging from 13% to 30%. In this work, to isolate and identify the pathogens causing MLBD, sisal leaves exhibiting the typical MLBD symptoms were collected, and nine strains were obtained. Pathogenicity tests, morphological observations, and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that two strains, namely 22GX1-3 and 22GD1-4, identified as Phaeosphaeriopsis obtusispora, were the causative pathogens of MLBD. Further investigations into the biological characteristics of P. obtusispora showed that its mycelia exhibited optimal growth on PDA medium, with the most favourable temperature and pH being 25 °C and 7.0, respectively. The mycelia could grow in temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 32 °C but ceased at 35 °C. Lactose and yeast extract powder were also identified as the optimal carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Additionally, the effectiveness of various control agents was assessed on a single strain, 22GX1-3. Among the twelve fungicides tested, difenoconazole was proven the most effective, with an EC50 value of 0.5045 µg/mL. To our knowledge, this is the first report for sisal MLBD caused by P. obtusispora. Our results provide crucial pieces of information for the development of effective management strategies to control sisal MLBD caused by P. obtusispora. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Management of Plant Fungal Diseases)
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Review

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24 pages, 1195 KiB  
Review
Fungal Disease Tolerance with a Focus on Wheat: A Review
by Akerke Maulenbay and Aralbek Rsaliyev
J. Fungi 2024, 10(7), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10070482 - 13 Jul 2024
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Abstract
In this paper, an extensive review of the literature is provided examining the significance of tolerance to fungal diseases in wheat amidst the escalating global demand for wheat and threats from environmental shifts and pathogen movements. The current comprehensive reliance on agrochemicals for [...] Read more.
In this paper, an extensive review of the literature is provided examining the significance of tolerance to fungal diseases in wheat amidst the escalating global demand for wheat and threats from environmental shifts and pathogen movements. The current comprehensive reliance on agrochemicals for disease management poses risks to food safety and the environment, exacerbated by the emergence of fungicide resistance. While resistance traits in wheat can offer some protection, these traits do not guarantee the complete absence of losses during periods of vigorous or moderate disease development. Furthermore, the introduction of individual resistance genes into wheat monoculture exerts selection pressure on pathogen populations. These disadvantages can be addressed or at least mitigated with the cultivation of tolerant varieties of wheat. Research in this area has shown that certain wheat varieties, susceptible to severe infectious diseases, are still capable of achieving high yields. Through the analysis of the existing literature, this paper explores the manifestations and quantification of tolerance in wheat, discussing its implications for integrated disease management and breeding strategies. Additionally, this paper addresses the ecological and evolutionary aspects of tolerance in the pathogen–plant host system, emphasizing its potential to enhance wheat productivity and sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Management of Plant Fungal Diseases)
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