Search Results (203)

Phytophthora species are among the most destructive plant pathogens worldwide, causing severe losses in agricultural, forest, and natural ecosystems. In recent years, the management of Phytophthora diseases has increasingly shifted toward eco-sustainable strategies, with growing interest in plant-derived extracts, particularly essential oils, as low-risk alternatives to synthetic fungicides. In this study, a structured review was combined with new in vitro assays to assess the antifungal activity of essential oils from Thymus vulgaris (TV-EO) and T. serpyllum (TS-EO) against P. cinnamomi, P. drechsleri, P. cactorum, P. citrophthora, P. nicotianae, P. palmivora, and P. infestans. Literature searches were conducted in April 2025 using the Web of Science and Scopus databases, following PRISMA guidelines, with the search term “Thymus” or “Thyme” and “Phytophthora”. Twenty studies included in the review demonstrated that the activity of Thymus essential oils against Phytophthora species was highly variable and shaped by chemotype, Thymus species, pathogen, and experimental setup. Additional in vitro assays further confirmed a clear dose-dependent inhibitory effect for both TV-EO and TS-EO. TS-EO consistently exhibited stronger activity than TV-EO, likely reflecting its carvacrol-rich chemotype, while thymol-based TV-EO showed lower but still significant inhibition depending on the pathogen species. Overall, these results highlight the potential of Thymus essential oils as eco-friendly tools for the management of Phytophthora diseases. However, the strong dependence on chemotype, pathogen species, and assay conditions underscores the need for standardized testing, detailed chemical characterization, and in vivo validation. Full article

Potato late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is the most devastating disease affecting potatoes, leading to substantial annual yield losses. This study investigated the potential of three bacterial strains for the biological control of this disease under both in vitro and greenhouse conditions. In vitro, in a dual-culture test, Bacillus atrophaeus strain BaAZ2 demonstrated an antagonistic effect against P. infestans stronger than the Stenotrophomonas rhizophila strain SrAZ1 and Bacillus halotolerans strain BhAZ6. In planta, treatment with strain BaAZ2 led to a significant reduction in hydrogen peroxide accumulation in potato leaf tissue. Total phenolic content, and the activity of defense-related enzymes (polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase) as well as antioxidant enzymes (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase) were significantly elevated in response to BaAZ2 treatment. Furthermore, the expression levels of stress and defense-related genes StuPR, StuMAPK4, StuWRKY1, StuPPO9, and StuPAL increased in strain BaAZ2-treated plants, while SrAZ1 showed moderate activity and BhAZ6 displayed comparatively limited responses. These findings highlight the strain-specific nature of bacterial biocontrol efficacy and emphasize the importance of evaluating individual isolates before their potential application in sustainable late blight management. Full article

Phytophthora infestans is the causal agent of late blight, one of the most destructive diseases of potato and tomato worldwide. Although qPCR-based methods are widely used to estimate pathogen biomass in infected tissues, methods for specifically assessing sporangial proliferation remain limited. In this study, we developed an RT-qPCR-based assay using PITG_13011, which encodes a predicted major facilitator superfamily transporter, as a sporangia-associated molecular marker in P. infestans. Among five candidate genes selected from transcriptomic data, PITG_13011 showed the strongest association with sporangia-associated samples in our validation assays. PITG_13011 transcripts were detectable from cDNA and genomic DNA derived from as few as 100 sporangia, and transcript abundance showed a strong positive correlation with sporangial number under controlled experimental conditions. In detached leaf inoculation assays, PITG_13011 transcript levels were associated with differences in sporangia-associated proliferation during infection. These results indicate that PITG_13011-based RT-qPCR can serve as a complementary molecular approach for estimating sporangia-associated proliferation of P. infestans in laboratory experiments. This method will be useful when sporangial production, rather than total pathogen biomass alone, is the parameter of interest. Full article

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) with high nutritional and pharmaceutical value. The marine protist Aurantiochytrium is a promising industrial DHA producer; however, its DHA biosynthesis via the PUFA synthase pathway co-produces ω-6 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), limiting DHA purity. Here, we introduced an ω-3 desaturase from Phytophthora infestans (Pin-O3D) into Aurantiochytrium sp. SD116. Functional validation in an Escherichia coli system co-expressing the native PUFA synthase confirmed that Pin-O3D converts DPA to DHA, shifting the DHA/DPA ratio from 1:1 to 2:1. Pin-O3D was then integrated into the fatty acid synthase (FAS) locus, simultaneously attenuating FAS activity and enabling heterologous gene expression. The engineered strain ΔFAS-Pin-O3D exhibited significantly (p < 0.0001 in t-test) increased DHA content (55.2% of total fatty acids) and DHA/DPA ratio (5.91) in shake flasks, with no negative impact on biomass or lipid accumulation. Fed-batch fermentation confirmed the scalability of this strategy, achieving a >20% increase in DHA/DPA ratio. This study demonstrates that combining heterologous ω-3 desaturase expression with FAS attenuation is an effective approach for optimizing PUFA profiles in Aurantiochytrium. Full article

Plants utilize cell surface pattern recognition receptors to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and activate pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) responses. Late blight, caused by the oomycete plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans, poses a major threat to global potato production. The oomycete PAMP, P. infestans cell wall ceramide D, triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in potato and Arabidopsis. It is specifically recognized by the lectin receptor-like kinase RESISTANT TO DFPM-INHIBITION OF ABSCISIC ACID SIGNALING 2 (RDA2) in Arabidopsis. Treatment with P. infestans ceramide D enhances potato resistance against P. infestans. However, the function of RDA2 homologs in potato remains uncharacterized. Herein, potato RDA2 genes were identified through sequence alignment analysis. Their expression levels were subsequently measured in a potato inbred line infected with P. infestans. Notably, transient expression of StRDA2A, but not its kinase-dead mutant StRDA2A^K543M, caused cell death and enhanced disease resistance in Nicotiana benthamiana. Additionally, two RXLR-type effector proteins significantly inhibited StRDA2A-induced cell death. The findings of this study suggest that potato receptor kinase RDA2 proteins confer disease resistance, which is attenuated by RXLR effectors secreted by P. infestans. Full article

The antimicrobial activity of multicomponent, magnetron-sputtered glass coatings was evaluated against phytopathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, Cladosporium fulvum, Alternaria solani) and the chromista Phytophthora infestans, with Aspergillus fumigatus included as a model opportunistic pathogen. Fourteen Cu-based multicomponent coatings were deposited on glass using multi-alloy targets composed of Sn, Zn, Al, Ni, Fe, Ti, Mn, Nb, or Co in two high-transmittance variants (≥85% and ≥88%). Antimicrobial activity was assessed in two assays: (A) spore survival after 24–72 h contact, and (B) hyphal growth over 7 days following coating exposure under light and dark conditions. Spore viability decreased after incubation on high-Cu coatings, which showed inhibition for most strains, particularly B. cinerea, F. oxysporum, and P. infestans. The effects on spore germination were independent of the direct transmittance value of the coated glass. Hyphal growth was generally less affected by a high Cu content for most strains. Hyphal growth of F. oxysporum, C. fulvum, A. solani and B. cinerea was reduced by up to 30% on selected multicomponent coatings. For most strains, hyphal growth showed no inhibition after light incubation on coatings. However, light-dependent effects were observed for A. solani, A. fumigatus and P. infestans, while B. cinerea and C. fulvum showed reduced sensitivity during the first two days. High-Cu coatings were most effective at inhibiting spore germination, whereas hyphal growth on multicomponent coatings may respond to different ions. Therefore, high-Cu, two-component coatings may be recommended for practical greenhouse applications. Full article

Phytophthora infestans, a devastating oomycete pathogen responsible for late blight in solanaceous crops, relies on cellulose synthase (CesA) complexes for cell wall biosynthesis and virulence. Unlike plant CesAs that form homomeric trimers, oomycete CesA complexes are hypothesized to assemble as heteromeric units, yet their structural organization remains poorly defined. Here, we employed AlphaFold-Multimer and molecular docking to resolve the structural assembly of the PiCesA1–PiCesA2–PiCesA4 heterotrimer in P. infestans and identify potential ligand-binding sites for targeted inhibition. Structural modeling revealed a conserved transmembrane architecture combined with a distinctive cytosolic organization, in which N-terminal pleckstrin homology domains play a central role in heteromeric assembly. AlphaFold-Multimer consistently predicted a stable heterotrimer stabilized by cyclic interactions between pleckstrin homology domains and glycosyltransferase-A domains, forming an extensive interface network that is spatially segregated from the conserved UDP-glucose–binding catalytic core. Structure-guided docking identified potential ligands targeting pleckstrin homology–glycosyltransferase interface regions. Notably, these sites are absent or structurally divergent in plant cellulose synthases, underscoring their potential for pathogen-selective targeting. This work advances mechanistic understanding of cellulose biosynthesis in filamentous pathogens and proposes new avenues for selective disease control in agriculture. Full article

This study conducted a multi-criteria assessment of farming systems (organic vs. integrated) and hydrothermal conditions on the productivity and quality of seven potato cultivars in Southern Poland (2022–2024). The objective was to identify genotypes with the highest plasticity for adaptation to Sustainable Land Management (SLM) strategies. Using a split-plot design, analyses covered total and marketable yield, tuber architecture, and starch and dry matter concentration. Statistical evaluation utilized ANOVA and variance component analysis to determine the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to phenotypic variability. Results showed that productivity was strongly determined by the cultivation system, with organic yields being 20–57% lower due to Phytophthora infestans and virus pressure. Notably, the lack of a significant three-way interaction (S × V × Y) for quality traits suggests high predictability of starch and dry matter based on genotype selection, regardless of management-induced stressors. The ‘Lawenda’ cultivar demonstrated superior adaptation to organic frameworks. We conclude that organic potato production is viable in warming climates if supported by rigorous cultivar selection and biological innovations. Future research should focus on the long-term monitoring of soil organic matter dynamics and the economic viability of these systems throughout a full crop rotation cycle. Such an approach is essential to provide a more comprehensive and robust foundation for sustainable land-use policies. Full article

Tomato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans is a devastating disease, and current control of the disease relies heavily on chemical fungicides. Certain Trichoderma strains used as biocontrol fungi have shown superb efficacy against P. infestans and some other oomycete phytopathogens. In this study, T. paratroviride strain 8942 appeared to be effective in control of tomato late blight disease, reducing the necrosis degree of plant tissues, promoting callose deposition in tomato leaves, and increasing defense enzyme activities. RT-qPCR analysis showed that strain 8942 inhibited metabolism of salicylic acid and promoted metabolism of jasmonic acid at the early stage of colonization. In addition, root colonization of the strain significantly promoted tomato growth. Observations of rhizosphere soil properties showed that 8942 significantly increased the activities of urease, catalase, and protease, and its cell-free filtrates at low concentrations induced the accumulation of auxin in root tips. Transcriptomic data suggested the existence of a balance between biotrophic adaptation and biocontrol readiness during 8942’s interaction with tomato roots. Trichoderma paratroviride strain 8942 is promising and has potential for biological control of tomato late blight and plant growth promotion, as determined by integrated investigations of hormonal regulation, rhizosphere modulation, transcriptional reprogramming, etc. Full article

Azole selenoureas exhibit diverse biological functions. However, the synthesis and biological activity of benzothiazole and benzoxazole selenones remained unexplored. Herein, we report the base-catalyzed synthesis of N-difluoromethyl benzothiazole (or benzoxazole) selenone derivatives, which demonstrated significant antifungal efficacy against Rhizoctonia solani, Phytophthora infestans, Botrytis cinerea, and Fusarium oxysporum. Compound 3b exhibited exceptional antifungal activity against R. solani, with an EC₅₀ of 2.10 mg/L. Moreover, it substantially inhibited sclerotia germination (81.5% at 9 mg/L) and formation (79.3% at 9 mg/L), surpassing octhilinone. The protective effect on detached rice leaves and rice seedlings was found to be 43.4% and 85.2% at 100 mg/L, respectively, and 64.4% and 89.4% at 200 mg/L. These findings suggest that benzothiazole and benzoxazole selenones represent promising lead compounds for sustainable plant disease management. Full article

Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is a key tool in modern potato breeding for developing resistant varieties. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of molecular markers for selecting resistance to major pathogens in Ural (Russian Federation) potato breeding material. From 2018 to 2025, a total of 1212 hybrids and varieties were genotyped using 12 SCAR (sequence-characterized amplified regions) markers associated with resistance to potato wart (Synchytrium endobioticum), late blight (Phytophthora infestans), cyst nematodes (Globodera spp.), and viruses (PVX, PVY). The most frequent markers were TG689, N127, N195, and NL25. Phenotypic validation on more than 100 hybrids confirmed strong predictive power for NL25, TG689, and N195 markers in selecting resistance to wart disease and nematodes. In contrast, markers Rpi-blb1 and Rpi-sto1 for late blight did not show significant associations in this population. The results demonstrate the high diagnostic value of NL25, TG689, and N195 markers for MAS in Ural breeding programs, supporting their use for efficient selection of resistant genotypes. Full article

The study investigates the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in agriculture, focusing on their potential to enhance the immune response of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants against phytopathogenic attacks. The research highlights how AgNPs, stabilized by biologically active polymers polyhexamethylene biguanide and tallow amphopolycarboxyglycinate, can induce oxidative stress. Triple foliar application of 0.1–9.0 g/ha silver nanoparticles at the budding and later stages demonstrated significant efficacy in suppressing diseases caused by Phytophthora infestans and Alternaria solani (over 60%). This effect was linked to the increased activity of peroxidase—over 30–50%—and the decreased catalase activity, indicative of a well-coordinated oxidative stress response to the invasion of P. infestans and A. solani. The results suggest that AgNPs in low concentrations can prime the plant’s innate immune system, enhancing its resistance without detrimental effects on growth parameters, thus contributing to the improved crop yield. These findings underscore the potential of AgNPs not as traditional biocides, but as intelligent elicitors of plant-induced resistance, positioning them as next-generation tools for sustainable crop protection and yield optimization, which can be applied at extremely low doses (less than 10 g/ha of active substance). Full article

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the world’s fourth most important food crop, and despite China producing nearly one quarter of the global yield, its potato production is severely constrained by late blight. Identifying genes associated with pathogenicity is essential for breeding resistant cultivars and strengthening plant protection strategies. Traditional approaches based on differential expression and statistical modeling often fail to capture temporal dynamics or provide interpretable insights. Here, we introduce an LSTM–Transformer hybrid model designed for data-driven discovery of pathogenicity-related genes from gene expression time-series. The analysis was performed on a time-series expression dataset comprising 32,917 genes across 18 samples (three infection time points × six biological replicates per condition). In this study, we identified 200 high-confidence pathogenicity-related genes from potato infection time-series data. These genes are enriched in 15 biologically meaningful pathways, including plant immunity signaling, reactive oxygen species regulation, secondary metabolic processes, and stress-responsive transcriptional programs. Several newly uncovered candidates participate in defense hormone pathways and cell wall modification, suggesting previously unrecognized roles in late blight susceptibility and resistance. By revealing functional groups and regulatory signatures that characterize pathogenicity, this work provides valuable molecular targets for developing late blight-resistant cultivars. The framework integrates a biologically informed temporal–attention architecture, a gene time-series-specific data partitioning strategy, and an interpretable deep analysis module. A final methodological contribution is the use of a temporal attention-based analytical framework that enables reliable gene prioritization from time-series expression data. Full article

Plant peptides represent a novel molecular tool in crop science due to their essential regulatory roles in plant growth, development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Although numerous bioactive plant peptides have been identified, a major gap remains in translating these discoveries into practical strategies for crop protection. Synthetic peptides are increasingly recognized as promising biological agents for enhancing crop productivity and protection in an environmentally sustainable manner. In this study, we demonstrate that the potato elicitor peptide StPep1, applied as a foliar spray at nanomolar concentrations (10–100 nM), strongly enhances resistance to the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans in Solanum tuberosum cv. Gala under controlled climate chamber conditions. Preventive treatment 24 h prior to inoculation markedly reduced disease symptoms, with treated plants exhibiting a phenotype comparable to uninoculated controls. These findings highlight the potential of low-dose StPep1 as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective bioprotective agent, providing a foundation for future translational research and small-scale agricultural applications. Full article

The AGC kinase family is crucial for regulating plant disease resistance, integrating hormone signals, managing reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, and maintaining redox balance. However, research on AGC kinases in Solanaceae plants is limited, and the functions of most AGC kinases remain unidentified. Using the tetraploid potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar ‘Tingsha No. 9’, we conducted a genome-wide identification of the AGC gene family and profiled transcript responses to late-blight (Phytophthora infestans) stress. Additionally, we examined the subcellular localization and characterized the phenotypic responses of overexpression lines of the late-blight–responsive kinase StD6PK under late-blight stress. A total of 141 AGC family members were identified in ‘Qingshu No. 9’, categorized into eight subfamilies. This classification includes one cultivar-specific subfamily that was previously unrecognized, as well as 50 AGC family members within subfamily 1. AGC family members had significant differences in physicochemical characteristics and most of which were located in the nucleus. AGC family members are distributed on 46 chromosomes, with the largest number of chromosome 11 and the least number of chromosome 7. Gene duplication is dominated by whole-genome duplication (WGD) and segmental duplication. Ka/Ks values of all collinear pairs are less than 1. Purification selection drives family evolution in a long evolutionary process. Its promoter is rich in light-responsive, hormone-responsive, and stress-responsive elements, and its expression varies significantly in tissues; and some genes are highly expressed in specific organs. RNA-seq analysis revealed that 78.1% of the members responded to late-blight stress, and the expression levels of the selected eight subfamily members all showed significant increases or decreases after inoculation with late blight. StD6PK (Soltu.Q9.Chr04_A40011450.g) was strongly induced at 48~72 h, and its expression level at 72 h was 5.7 times higher than that at 0 h. Stable transformation of potato demonstrated that overexpression of StD6PK could enhance the resistance of potato to late blight, with subcellular localization revealing its nuclear localization characteristic. This study was the first time to complete the identification of AGC family genome of tetraploid potato ‘Qingshu No. 9’, reveal its evolution and expression characteristics, clarify the response characteristics of StD6PK to late blight, and provide insights into the evolutionary and functional basis of the AGC kinase gene family in potato late blight resistance mechanisms, while supplying genetic resources to accelerate the development of late blight-resistant germplasm. Full article