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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Diversity of Plant Pathogens
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Diversity of Plant Pathogens

A Special Issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607) belonging to the section "Plant Microbe Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 4027

Editors

Prof. Dr. Jevtić Radivoje

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Maksima Gorkog 30, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: cereals diseases; genetic resources; breeding for resistance; phenotyping
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Vesna Župunski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: phytopathology; mycotoxins; molecular plant pathology; molecular mycology; cereals
Dr. Emil Rekanovic̈

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Laboratory of Applied Phytopathology, Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: plant protection; plant pathology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant pathogens represent a diverse group of organisms—including fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and oomycetes—that pose significant threats to global agriculture, natural ecosystems, and food security. Their diversity is reflected not only in taxonomy and life cycles but also in infection strategies, host ranges, and evolutionary dynamics. Understanding this diversity is essential for developing sustainable management practices, predicting emerging disease threats, and safeguarding crop production under changing climatic conditions.

This Special Issue welcomes original research articles and reviews that address plant pathogen diversity from multiple perspectives. Topics of interest include pathogen identification, molecular mechanisms underlying host–pathogen interactions, epidemiology, and sustainable disease management. By integrating fundamental research with applied approaches, the collected works aim to foster a deeper understanding of pathogen biology while providing practical insights for agriculture and ecosystem health.

We hope that this Special Issue will serve as both a valuable reference and a catalyst for future research, encouraging continued collaboration across disciplines to address the ongoing challenges posed by plant pathogens worldwide. This Special Issue will bring together studies that explore the biology, ecology, and evolution of plant pathogens, highlighting both fundamental insights and applied strategies that advance our ability to monitor, manage, and mitigate their impacts.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Jevtić Radivoje
Guest Editor

Dr. Vesna Župunski
Dr. Emil Rekanovic̈
Guest Editor Assistants

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms 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

  • plant pathogens
  • host–pathogen interactions
  • disease management

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 9080 KB  
Article
Genetic Diversity of Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus in Serbia: First Detection of J-Type RNA5 and P25 Tetrad Associated with Resistance-Breaking Isolates
by Anja Milosavljević, Ivana Stanković, Danijela Ristić, Tatjana Popović Milovanović, Katarina Zečević, Jelena Đukanović and Nenad Trkulja
Microorganisms 2026, 14(9), 2030; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14092030 - 11 Sep 2026
Abstract
Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), the causal agent of rhizomania, is a major threat to sugar beet production worldwide. In Serbia, during a three-year monitoring period (2023–2025) conducted across 31 localities (72 fields) representing the main sugar beet production areas, BNYVV was [...] Read more.
Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), the causal agent of rhizomania, is a major threat to sugar beet production worldwide. In Serbia, during a three-year monitoring period (2023–2025) conducted across 31 localities (72 fields) representing the main sugar beet production areas, BNYVV was detected in 26.5% of analyzed samples. Of the 88 ELISA-positive samples, 60 originated from cultivars carrying the Rz1, whereas 28 were obtained from cultivars carrying the combined Rz1+Rz2 resistance genes. This study presents the first analysis of the genetic diversity and population structure of BNYVV in Serbia, based on P25 tetrad variability and RNA5 sequence analysis. Sequence analysis revealed five distinct P25 tetrad variants, with the ALHG tetrad being the most prevalent. Moreover, in one locality in the Bačka region, the VHHG variant, previously associated with Rz1-resistance-breaking isolates, was also detected. Phylogenetic analysis based on p25 sequences grouped all Serbian isolates within the P25-I cluster, corresponding to the A-type virus population, and showed close relationship with European isolates, particularly those from Italy. Importantly, RNA5 was detected in all selected isolates, representing the first report of RNA5 in Serbia. The results of the p26sequence analysis revealed high conservation among Serbian isolates, which clustered within the J-type in phylogenetic analysis. Overall, the results demonstrate that Serbian BNYVV populations are genetically diverse and include variants associated with Rz1-resistance breaking. These findings highlight the need for continuous molecular surveillance to monitor the emergence and spread of virulent strains and to support effective disease management strategies in sugar beet cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity of Plant Pathogens)
19 pages, 6602 KB  
Article
Changes in Serbian Yellow Rust Races Reveal Genotype-Specific Responses of Yield and Quality-Related Traits in Commercial Winter Wheat
by Radivoje Jevtić, Vesna Župunski, Dragan Živančev and Branka Orbović
Microorganisms 2026, 14(6), 1217; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14061217 - 27 May 2026
Viewed by 412
Abstract
Wheat yellow (stripe) rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) remains a major constraint to wheat production, yet relationships between infection level, yield, and quality-related traits are often inconsistent. This study evaluated how contrasting yellow rust races and infection intensities influence yield, [...] Read more.
Wheat yellow (stripe) rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) remains a major constraint to wheat production, yet relationships between infection level, yield, and quality-related traits are often inconsistent. This study evaluated how contrasting yellow rust races and infection intensities influence yield, test weight (TW), thousand kernel weight (TKW), and crude protein content in commercial winter wheat varieties. Field trials were conducted in 2016, 2021, and 2023, representing seasons that differed in yellow rust incidence and severity. The yellow rust race was changed in 2023 compared to the yellow rust race that was the same in 2016 and 2021. Associations between qualitative variables (variety and year) and quantitative variables (yield, TKW, TW, disease index (DI), and protein content) were analyzed using principal component analysis for mixed data and regression modeling. At low to moderate infection levels, TW showed a stronger negative linear association with yellow rust DI than TKW, suggesting that TW acts as an early indicator of source limitation. In contrast, TKW declined only when genotypes could no longer compensate for reduced assimilate supply, after which both traits responded similarly under severe physiological stress. Protein concentration increased under high infection levels, but its association with yield loss and DI was weak. Under high disease pressure, yield and quality-related responses were highly variable and genotype-specific at comparable DI levels, demonstrating that equivalent symptom expression does not necessarily translate into equivalent physiological disruption. These results show that yield and quality responses to yellow rust cannot be inferred from DI alone, highlighting the importance of physiological tolerance and source–sink efficiency in breeding and disease management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity of Plant Pathogens)
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22 pages, 2453 KB  
Article
Sclerotinia Species Causing Lettuce Drop Disease in Serbia
by Maja Živanović, Milica Mihajlović, Aleksandra Jovanović, Jovana Hrustić, Mira Vojvodić, Brankica Pešić and Aleksandra Bulajić
Microorganisms 2026, 14(1), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14010189 - 14 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1242
Abstract
Sclerotinia spp. are globally distributed, devastating plant pathogens with a broad host range, including lettuce, on which they cause lettuce drop disease. To investigate the geographical distribution of lettuce drop incidence and the population structure of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and S. minor in Serbia, [...] Read more.
Sclerotinia spp. are globally distributed, devastating plant pathogens with a broad host range, including lettuce, on which they cause lettuce drop disease. To investigate the geographical distribution of lettuce drop incidence and the population structure of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and S. minor in Serbia, 27 commercial lettuce fields across 12 administrative districts were surveyed. Sclerotinia spp. were confirmed at 10 localities, with S. sclerotiorum occurring more frequently. Co-occurrence of both species within the same field was recorded at only one location. Clear phenotypic and physiological differences were found between Sclerotinia species, as well as among isolates within each species. The two species differed in colony appearance, sclerotia production, virulence, growth rate, oxalic acid production, and tolerance to elevated osmotic pressure. Haplotype analysis of S. minor revealed the existence of 9 haplotypes arranged in a star-shaped network. These findings highlight the importance of considering both inter- and intraspecific variability of Sclerotinia species when evaluating their impact on crops, improving our understanding of Sclerotinia populations in lettuce, and supporting the development of effective management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity of Plant Pathogens)
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Review

Jump to: Research

33 pages, 5235 KB  
Review
Colletotrichum Species Associated with Alfalfa Anthracnose: An Overview and Historical Perspective
by Vojislav Trkulja, Tanja Vasić, Ranka Milašin, Nenad Trkulja, Slavica Matić, Milan Stević, Sanja Živković and Tatjana Popović Milovanović
Microorganisms 2026, 14(1), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14010261 - 22 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1725
Abstract
Alfalfa anthracnose is an economically significant disease that leads to substantial biomass losses due to stem rot, reduced stand longevity, and a decline in forage nutritional quality. The disease is caused by multiple species within the genus Colletotrichum, including the 14 described [...] Read more.
Alfalfa anthracnose is an economically significant disease that leads to substantial biomass losses due to stem rot, reduced stand longevity, and a decline in forage nutritional quality. The disease is caused by multiple species within the genus Colletotrichum, including the 14 described species: C. gloeosporioides, C. truncatum, C. lindemuthianum, C. destructivum, C. dematium, C. trifolii, C. medicaginis, C. graminicola, C. coccodes, C. sojae, C. spinaciae, C. lini, C. americae-borealis, and C. tofieldiae. A thorough understanding of key aspects of the pathogen’s biology, along with its epidemiology, infection cycle, and accurate disease diagnosis, is essential for the development of sustainable management strategies. Knowledge of these factors allows us to anticipate disease outbreaks, implement timely interventions, and design integrated control measures that reduce reliance on chemical fungicides while maintaining crop productivity and forage quality. Although anthracnose management has traditionally relied on synthetic fungicides, this review synthesizes alternative control strategies to clarify the current state of knowledge and to provide new insights into the development of effective and sustainable approaches for managing Colletotrichum species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity of Plant Pathogens)
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