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Plants
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Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops—2nd Edition
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Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops—2nd Edition

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 10926

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Muhammad Shahid

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Guest Editor
Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Interests: agricultural microbiology; nanobiotechnology; plant pathology; plant–microbe interactions; environmental microbiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Bin Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Interests: molecular plant pathology; plant–microbe interactions; phage–plant interactions; nanobiotechnology; molecular genetics; metagenomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Temoor Ahmed

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Interests: molecular plant pathology; nanobiotechnology; plant physiology; phage–plant interactions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Muhammad Noman

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
Interests: molecular plant pathology; nanobiotechnology; plant physiology; plant–microbe interactions; environmental microbiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

After the successful completion of Volume I of this Special Issue, we are delighted to announce Volume II of this Special Issue, titled "Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops". The global challenges posed by climate change and its impact on crop productivity continue to demand our attention as crop breeders strive to maintain optimal yields. Phytopathogens, being opportunistic in nature, pose a constant threat to crops, particularly those already under stress. Plant pathogenesis and disease control remain critical areas of research in plant science, with a continuous pursuit of environmentally friendly approaches to combat disease spread. In light of the growing concerns associated with environmental pollution resulting from the use of conventional pesticides, plant breeders are increasingly focusing on employing innovative plant breeding tools and exploring the potential of biodegradable nanoparticles for effective plant disease control.

The second volume of this Special Issue aims to delve deeper into the various aspects of plant disease spread, innate immunity in plants against different phytopathogens, host–pathogen interactions, engineered plant immunity using next-generation genomic toolsets, and the exciting applications of nanobiotechnology in agriculture for plant disease control. By addressing these crucial topics, we aim to attract a diverse audience, including phytopathologists, virologists, mycologists, agricultural researchers, nanotechnologists, and, most importantly, plant biotechnologists engaged in the development of strategies to combat plant diseases.

We invite researchers from around the world to contribute their original research articles, reviews, and perspectives to this Special Issue. Submissions may focus on, but are not limited to, the following areas:

  1. Understanding the mechanisms of plant disease spread and developing strategies for early detection and prevention.
  2. Exploring the innate immunity in plants and its role in defense against phytopathogens.
  3. Investigating host–pathogen interactions to identify potential targets for disease control.
  4. Harnessing next-generation genomic toolsets to engineer plant immunity against phytopathogens.
  5. Exploring the potential of nanobiotechnology in agriculture for the development of novel approaches to control plant diseases.

We encourage authors to present their research findings, novel methodologies, and cutting-edge advancements that contribute to our understanding of pathogenesis and disease control in crops. By sharing and disseminating this knowledge, we can collectively work towards the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly strategies for safeguarding crop health and productivity.

Dr. Muhammad Shahid
Prof. Dr. Bin Li
Dr. Temoor Ahmed
Dr. Muhammad Noman
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. Plants 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

  • comprehensive disease management
  • plant defense mechanisms
  • beneficial microorganisms
  • biological control agents
  • plant–pathogen interactions
  • nano-based pest control
  • phytopathogens biology
  • sustainable crop protection
  • resistance host inducers
  • integrated pest management
  • microbial interactions
  • microbial community ecology

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 210 KiB  
Editorial
Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops: The Key to Global Food Security
by Temoor Ahmed, Muhammad Noman, Muhammad Shahid, Amir Hameed and Bin Li
Plants 2023, 12(18), 3266; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12183266 - 14 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1010
Abstract
Plant diseases are a major threat to global food security [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops—2nd Edition)

Research

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14 pages, 6708 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Virus-Free Chrysanthemum ‘Hangju’ Productivity and Response to Virus Reinfection in the Field: Molecular Insights into Virus–Host Interactions
by Xuejie Du, Xinqiao Zhan, Xueting Gu, Xinyi Liu and Bizeng Mao
Plants 2024, 13(5), 732; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13050732 - 05 Mar 2024
Viewed by 654
Abstract
The shoot apical meristem culture has been used widely to produce virus-free plantlets which have the advantages of strong disease resistance, high yield, and prosperous growth potential. However, this virus-free plant will be naturally reinfected in the field. The physiological and metabolic responses [...] Read more.
The shoot apical meristem culture has been used widely to produce virus-free plantlets which have the advantages of strong disease resistance, high yield, and prosperous growth potential. However, this virus-free plant will be naturally reinfected in the field. The physiological and metabolic responses in the reinfected plant are still unknown. The flower of chrysanthemum ‘Hangju’ is a traditional medicine which is unique to China. In this study, we found that the virus-free ‘Hangju’ (VFH) was reinfected with chrysanthemum virus B/R in the field. However, the reinfected VFH (RVFH) exhibited an increased yield and medicinal components compared with virus-infected ‘Hangju’ (VIH). Comparative analysis of transcriptomes was performed to explore the molecular response mechanisms of the RVFH to CVB infection. A total of 6223 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the RVFH vs. the VIH. KEGG enrichment and physiological analyses indicated that treatment with the virus-free technology significantly mitigated the plants’ lipid and galactose metabolic stress responses in the RVFH. Furthermore, GO enrichment showed that plant viral diseases affected salicylic acid (SA)-related processes in the RVFH. Specifically, we found that phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) genes played a major role in defense-related SA biosynthesis in ‘Hangju’. These findings provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying plant virus–host interactions and have implications for developing strategies to improve plant resistance against viruses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops—2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 3985 KiB  
Article
Unlocking Nature’s Secrets: Molecular Insights into Postharvest Pathogens Impacting Moroccan Apples and Innovations in the Assessment of Storage Conditions
by Mohammed Khadiri, Hassan Boubaker, Salah-Eddine Laasli, Abdelaaziz Farhaoui, Said Ezrari, Nabil Radouane, Mohammed Radi, Latifa Askarne, Essaid Ait Barka and Rachid Lahlali
Plants 2024, 13(4), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13040553 - 18 Feb 2024
Viewed by 960
Abstract
Apple production holds a prominent position in Morocco’s Rosaceae family. However, annual production can fluctuate due to substantial losses caused by fungal diseases affecting stored apples. Our findings emphasize that the pre-storage treatment of apples, disinfection of storage facilities, box type, and fruit [...] Read more.
Apple production holds a prominent position in Morocco’s Rosaceae family. However, annual production can fluctuate due to substantial losses caused by fungal diseases affecting stored apples. Our findings emphasize that the pre-storage treatment of apples, disinfection of storage facilities, box type, and fruit sorting are pivotal factors affecting apple losses during storage. Additionally, the adopted preservation technique was significantly correlated with the percentage of damage caused by fungal infections. Blue mold accounts for nearly three-quarters of the diseases detected, followed by gray rot with a relatively significant incidence. This study has revealed several fungal diseases affecting stored apples caused by pathogens such as Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata, Trichothecium roseum, Fusarium avenaceum, Cadophora malorum, and Neofabraea vagabunda. Notably, these last two fungal species have been reported for the first time in Morocco as pathogens of stored apples. These data affirm that the high losses of apples in Morocco, attributed primarily to P. expansum and B. cinerea, pose a significant threat in terms of reduced production and diminished fruit quality. Hence, adopting controlled atmosphere storage chambers and implementing good practices before apple storage is crucial. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops—2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 2340 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Accompanying Ryegrass on Bayberry Trees by Change of Soil Property, Rhizosphere Microbial Community Structure, and Metabolites
by Changxin Li, Gang Li, Xingjiang Qi, Zheping Yu, Yasmine Abdallah, Solabomi Olaitan Ogunyemi, Shuwen Zhang, Haiying Ren, Mohamed Mohany, Salim S. Al-Rejaie, Bin Li and Erming Liu
Plants 2023, 12(21), 3669; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12213669 - 25 Oct 2023
Viewed by 795
Abstract
As a subtropical and tropical tree, bayberry (Myrica rubra) is an important fruit tree grown commercially in southern China. Interestingly, our studies found that the fruit quality of bayberry with accompanying ryegrass was significantly improved, but its mechanism remains unclear. The [...] Read more.
As a subtropical and tropical tree, bayberry (Myrica rubra) is an important fruit tree grown commercially in southern China. Interestingly, our studies found that the fruit quality of bayberry with accompanying ryegrass was significantly improved, but its mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism of accompanying ryegrass on the beneficial effect of the fruit quality of bayberry by measuring the vegetative growth parameters, fruit parameters with economic impact, physical and chemical properties of rhizosphere soil, microbial community structure, and metabolites of the bayberry with/without ryegrass. Notably, the results revealed a significant difference between bayberry trees with and without accompanying ryegrass in fruit quality parameters, soil physical and chemical properties, microbial community structure, and metabolites. Compared with the control without accompanying ryegrass, the planting of ryegrass increased the titratable sugar, vitamin C, and titratable flavonoid contents of bayberry fruits by 2.26%, 28.45%, and 25.00%, respectively, and decreased the titratable acid contents by 9.04%. Furthermore, based on 16S and ITS amplicon sequencing of soil microflora, the accompanying ryegrass caused a 12.47% increment in Acidobacteriota while a 30.04% reduction in Actinobacteria was recorded, respectively, when compared with the bayberry trees without ryegrass. Redundancy discriminant analysis of microbial communities and soil properties indicated that the main variables of the bacterial community included available nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable aluminum, and available kalium, while the main variables of the fungal community included exchangeable aluminum, available phosphorus, available kalium, and pH. In addition, the change in microbial community structure was justified by the high correlation analysis between microorganisms and secondary metabolites. Indeed, GC-MS metabolomics analysis showed that planting ryegrass caused a 3.83%–144.36% increase in 19 metabolites such as 1,3-Dipentyl-heptabarbital and carbonic acid 1, respectively, and a 23.78%–51.79% reduction of 5 metabolites compared to the bayberry trees without the accompanying ryegrass. Overall, the results revealed the significant change caused by the planting of ryegrass in the physical and chemical properties, microbiota, and secondary metabolites of the bayberry rhizosphere soils, which provides a new insight for the ecological improvement of bayberry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops—2nd Edition)
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Review

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31 pages, 3393 KiB  
Review
Nano-Agrochemicals as Substitutes for Pesticides: Prospects and Risks
by Shehbaz Ali, Naveed Ahmad, Mudasir A. Dar, Sehrish Manan, Abida Rani, Suliman Mohammed Suliman Alghanem, Khalid Ali Khan, Sivasamy Sethupathy, Noureddine Elboughdiri, Yasser S. Mostafa, Saad A. Alamri, Mohamed Hashem, Muhammad Shahid and Daochen Zhu
Plants 2024, 13(1), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010109 - 29 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1934
Abstract
This review delves into the mesmerizing technology of nano-agrochemicals, specifically pesticides and herbicides, and their potential to aid in the achievement of UN SDG 17, which aims to reduce hunger and poverty globally. The global market for conventional pesticides and herbicides is expected [...] Read more.
This review delves into the mesmerizing technology of nano-agrochemicals, specifically pesticides and herbicides, and their potential to aid in the achievement of UN SDG 17, which aims to reduce hunger and poverty globally. The global market for conventional pesticides and herbicides is expected to reach USD 82.9 billion by 2027, growing 2.7% annually, with North America, Europe, and the Asia–Pacific region being the biggest markets. However, the extensive use of chemical pesticides has proven adverse effects on human health as well as the ecosystem. Therefore, the efficacy, mechanisms, and environmental impacts of conventional pesticides require sustainable alternatives for effective pest management. Undoubtedly, nano-agrochemicals have the potential to completely transform agriculture by increasing crop yields with reduced environmental contamination. The present review discusses the effectiveness and environmental impact of nanopesticides as promising strategies for sustainable agriculture. It provides a concise overview of green nano-agrochemical synthesis and agricultural applications, and the efficacy of nano-agrochemicals against pests including insects and weeds. Nano-agrochemical pesticides are investigated due to their unique size and exceptional performance advantages over conventional ones. Here, we have focused on the environmental risks and current state of nano-agrochemicals, emphasizing the need for further investigations. The review also draws the attention of agriculturists and stakeholders to the current trends of nanomaterial use in agriculture especially for reducing plant diseases and pests. A discussion of the pros and cons of nano-agrochemicals is paramount for their application in sustainable agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops—2nd Edition)
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31 pages, 2339 KiB  
Review
Fertilization of Microbial Composts: A Technology for Improving Stress Resilience in Plants
by Temoor Ahmed, Muhammad Noman, Yetong Qi, Muhammad Shahid, Sabir Hussain, Hafiza Ayesha Masood, Lihui Xu, Hayssam M. Ali, Sally Negm, Attalla F. El-Kott, Yanlai Yao, Xingjiang Qi and Bin Li
Plants 2023, 12(20), 3550; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12203550 - 12 Oct 2023
Viewed by 3093
Abstract
Microbial compost plays a crucial role in improving soil health, soil fertility, and plant biomass. These biofertilizers, based on microorganisms, offer numerous benefits such as enhanced nutrient acquisition (N, P, and K), production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and control of pathogens through induced [...] Read more.
Microbial compost plays a crucial role in improving soil health, soil fertility, and plant biomass. These biofertilizers, based on microorganisms, offer numerous benefits such as enhanced nutrient acquisition (N, P, and K), production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and control of pathogens through induced systematic resistance. Additionally, they promote the production of phytohormones, siderophore, vitamins, protective enzymes, and antibiotics, further contributing to soil sustainability and optimal agricultural productivity. The escalating generation of organic waste from farm operations poses significant threats to the environment and soil fertility. Simultaneously, the excessive utilization of chemical fertilizers to achieve high crop yields results in detrimental impacts on soil structure and fertility. To address these challenges, a sustainable agriculture system that ensures enhanced soil fertility and minimal ecological impact is imperative. Microbial composts, developed by incorporating characterized plant-growth-promoting bacteria or fungal strains into compost derived from agricultural waste, offer a promising solution. These biofertilizers, with selected microbial strains capable of thriving in compost, offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative for agricultural practices. In this review article, we explore the potential of microbial composts as a viable strategy for improving plant growth and environmental safety. By harnessing the benefits of microorganisms in compost, we can pave the way for sustainable agriculture and foster a healthier relationship between soil, plants, and the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops—2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 1976 KiB  
Review
Essential Oils and Antagonistic Microorganisms as Eco-Friendly Alternatives for Coffee Leaf Rust Control
by Maricela Santiago-Santiago, Gabriela Sánchez-Viveros, Luis Hernández-Adame, Cesar Josué Chiquito-Contreras, Alejandro Salinas-Castro, Roberto Gregorio Chiquito-Contreras and Luis Guillermo Hernández-Montiel
Plants 2023, 12(20), 3519; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12203519 - 10 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1268
Abstract
Coffee leaf rust (CLR) is caused by the biotrophic fungus Hemileia vastatrix Berk. & Br., a disease of economic importance, reducing coffee yield up to 60%. Currently, CLR epidemics have negatively impacted food security. Therefore, the objective of the present research study is [...] Read more.
Coffee leaf rust (CLR) is caused by the biotrophic fungus Hemileia vastatrix Berk. & Br., a disease of economic importance, reducing coffee yield up to 60%. Currently, CLR epidemics have negatively impacted food security. Therefore, the objective of the present research study is to show a current framework of this disease and its effects on diverse areas, as well as the biological systems used for its control, mode of action, and effectiveness. The use of essential plant oils and antagonistic microorganisms to H. vastatrix are highlighted. Terpenes, terpenoids, and aromatic compounds are the main constituents of these oils, which alter the cell wall and membrane composition and modify the basic cell functions. Beneficial microorganisms inhibit urediniospore germination and reduce disease incidence and severity. The antagonistic microorganisms and essential oils of some aromatic plants have great potential in agriculture. These biological systems may have more than one mechanism of action, which reduces the possibility of the emergence of resistant strains of H. vastatrix. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops—2nd Edition)
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