Jonathan Phillips et al. show that trace amounts of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas) can go undetected in qPCR assays when the internal standard is too abundant or too dissimilar to CLas. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-24-2714-RE

Special Report: “Multiplexed Real-Time and Digital PCR Tools to Differentiate Clades of Plasmopara viticola Causing Downy Mildew in Grapes,” by Lexi Heger et al. Read the article to learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-01-25-0173-SR

Jun Wang et al. developed species-specific primers to facilitate the rapid identification of #Verticillium species. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2227-RE

Shani Friedman et al. explored the potential of quantitative whole-plant physiological analysis over traditional visual estimates for understanding and detecting plant diseases. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-24-1523-RE

Special Report: “Rapid Detection of Frogeye Leaf Spot Pathogen in Seeds by LAMP Assays to Protect Soybean Production,” by Xiaoshan Tan et al. Read the article to learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2156-SR

To facilitate research on tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), Mareike J. Rohde, Annette Niehl, and Heiko Ziebell constructed a full-length clone of the ToBRFV strain PV1241 (designated pJL89-ToBRFV) using Gibson assembly: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-24-1665-RE

Feature article! 🚨 Daniela E. Cardenas et al. explore the latest advances in detection, control, and cultural practices that can be integrated or stand alone to help thwart rot caused by fungal and bacterial postharvest pathogens of fruit: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2263-FE

Editor’s Pick: “Potential for Elite Veneer Poplar on Marginal Phytophthora spp.–Infected Christmas Tree Lands,” by William Henry Kohlway et al.: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-24-1558-RE 🌲

Oadi Matny, Michael D. Miller, and Brian Joel Steffenson demonstrate that Hordeum jubatum can be infected by isolates of important barley pathogens but typically not with the same degree of compatibility as with susceptible barleys. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-25-0472-RE

Jiling Wang, Liyan Zhu, and Chuan-qing Zhang found Alternaria alternata on Fritillaria thunbergii has developed serious resistance to dicarboximide fungicides. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-24-2638-RE 🌼

Read “Development of a Tetraplex Reverse Transcription Digital PCR Assay for Three Carlaviruses and an Ilarvirus Infecting Hop and Viral Titer Quantification in Different Tissue Types,” by Natalia Herrera-Blitman et al. in Vol. 109, No. 9 of Plant Disease: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2351-RE

Three viruses causing mosaic-like symptoms in sugarcane and related grasses have been reported in Louisiana since 1919. Dimitre Mollov et al. suggest an Asian origin of sorghum mosaic virus infecting sugarcane in Louisiana and the Western Hemisphere: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2359-RE

Rice stripe virus disease, transmitted by the small brown planthopper, is a devastating disease of rice in eastern Asia. Takuya Shiba et al. found the combination of nursery box and field insecticide applications was the most effective at disease control: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-24-1707-RE

“Synergistic Effect and Water-Dispersible Tablet of Propamidine and Flusilazole Against Botrytis cinerea,” by Yonghui Qiao et al. Read now in Vol. 109, No. 9 of Plant Disease: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-01-25-0153-RE

Fusarium crown rot adversely affects wheat production worldwide. Yanqiu He et al. investigated the distribution and diversity of Fusarium spp. collected from wheat samples in 12 regions of Anhui Province, China, in 2020, 2022, and 2024. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-01-25-0182-RE

Jing Jin et al. accidentally discovered that pyridaben was able to prevent cucumber powdery mildew. The research team explored the inhibitory effects and underlying mechanisms of pyridaben against Sphaerotheca fuliginea: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2483-RE

Results from Ori Molad et al. may indicate that different mechanisms are involved in the regulation of severe shoestring-like symptoms induced by ToBRFV-A134T compared with symptoms induced by ToBRFV-WT. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-24-1533-RE

“Identification, Characterization, Pathogenicity, and Host Range of Slafractonia indigofera sp. nov. (Dothidotthiaceae) Causing Leaf Spot Disease of Indigofera pseudotinctoria in China,” by Shan Xu et al. Read now in Vol. 109, No. 9 of Plant Disease: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-01-25-0104-RE

Xiaojing Liu et al. found that powdery mildew infection in peony alters antioxidant capacity, reduces fungal community diversity, and inhibits protein synthesis. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-24-1984-RE

“Early-Season Predictions of Aerial Spores to Enhance Infection Model Efficacy for Cercospora Leaf Spot Management in Sugarbeet,” by Alexandra P. Hernandez et al. Available in Vol. 109, No. 9 of Plant Disease: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2153-RE

Pitaya canker disease is the primary threat to pitaya cultivation, significantly compromising fruit quality and reducing yield. Rongzheng Luo et al. identified five genes associated with pitaya canker disease through RNA-Seq analysis: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-24-1589-RE

Ram Neupane, Beth Gugino, and Verónica Román-Reyna report two bacterial strains (22PA0099 and 22PA0106) of a previously undescribed Burkholderia species causing bulb rot in onion. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-24-2675-SC 🧅

Izabela Moura Duin et al. sequenced Xanthomonas strains from crape myrtle (2014–2023), refulfilled Koch’s postulates, and assembled complete genomes. Data place the strains in X. citri and support designation of a new pathovar: X. citri pv. lagerstroemium: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-24-2009-SC

T. Michael Likins et al. found that flutriafol drench provided season-long protection of boxwood plantings preinfected by Calonectria pseudonaviculata in the Mid-Atlantic but also resulted in significant phytotoxicity. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-24-2731-SC 🌿

“Rapid and Simple Detection of Anilinopyrimidine Resistance in Botrytis cinerea by Combining Recombinase Polymerase Amplification with the CRISPR/Cas12a Assay,” by Fei Fan et al. Available in Vol. 109, No. 9 of Plant Disease: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2346-SR

The USDA annual oat crown rust survey provides critical insights into the pathogen’s virulence patterns. Erin L. P. Moreau, Jakob M. Riddle, and Shahryar F. Kianian elucidated virulence dynamics of Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae from the 2023 survey: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2408-SR

Feature Article alert! “Understanding Oak Decline in Europe: Ecological Factors, Symptoms, Causative Agents, and Management Strategies,” by Giambattista Carluccio et al. 🌳 Available in Vol. 109, No. 9 of Plant Disease: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2401-FE

Editor’s Pick: “Comparative Analysis of Hemp and Wheat Fusarium graminearum Populations,” by Henry Smith et al. Read now in Vol. 109, No. 9 of Plant Disease: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2452-RE

To improve detection of Pectobacterium actinidiae, a major kiwifruit canker pathogen in Asia and South America, Hui Wen Lee et al. developed a probe-based real-time PCR assay for rapid and sensitive detection: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-24-1092-RE

Raul Allende-Molar et al. found Washington take-all decline (TAD) soils do not suppress Pythium root rot of wheat. 🌾 Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-24-2041-RE

On this #WorldFoodDay, we celebrate the efforts of those who nourish our communities, protect our planet, and shape a better future through better food for all. Explore resources to learn more about food security and sustainability. #FAO80 https://bit.ly/4nqN3x7

Results from Zejun Cheng et al. demonstrate that the primer set developed in this study enables accurate and rapid quantification of Ditylenchus destructor density in soil and facilitates the prediction of disease incidence in sweetpotato: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-24-1514-RE

Field trials focusing on nonrotational fungicide programs were conducted by @JohnsonKendallA et al. to identify the most efficacious fungicides and/or FRAC groups for the management of Glomerella leaf spot and bitter rot on apple: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-24-2773-RE

Phylogenetic analysis by @DaisyHAhumada et al. identified Ganoderma adspersum—previously unreported in North America—as the main cause of root and butt rot linked to almond tree decline in California’s Central Valley: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-24-0631-RE

Malick Bill et al. identified fungal and bacterial species linked to storage diseases of sugar beet roots in the Red River Valley of Minnesota and North Dakota, aiding strategies to reduce postharvest sucrose losses: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2188-RE @kandelsl

Narelle Nancarrow et al. highlight the complexity and specificity of the relationships between yellow dwarf viruses, the aphids that transmit them, and the plant hosts that they infect. @PiotrTrebicki Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2523-RE

Short Communication: “Pearl Bodies as a Potential Source of Secondary Transmission of Papaya Leaf Distortion Mosaic Virus in Carica papaya,” by Decai Tuo et al.: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2419-SC

Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of gray mold, has been reported in pomegranate orchards in Mexico. Alberto Patricio-Hernández and colleagues identified Bacillus velezensis as an effective fungicide against gray mold in pomegranate crops. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2118-RE

Strategic mixtures of biological control agents with DMI fungicides to control diseases of fruit crops can result in additive interaction, synergism, or antagonism. @Jojo_We27 and Guido Schnabel evaluated the compatibility of 8 commercial DMI fungicides: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2367-RE

Downy mildew presents significant challenges to spring mix greens production in California. Emily Mae Locke-Paddon et al. identified sources of resistance to facilitate resistance breeding in baby kale: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2290-RE @kalloldas91

Short Communication: “Mycotoxin Contamination of Hazelnut Grown in Azerbaijan and Aspergillus Communities Associated with the Crop,” by Fagan Aghayev et al.: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-24-2623-SC

Results from Jing Wang et al. indicate that Streptomyces noursei strain S86 fermentation products have the potential to be developed as biological controls of Fusarium crown rot disease in the field. 🌾 Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2109-RE

Xu Qin et al. investigated the biocontrol effect and mechanism of crown gall disease in Japanese cherry trees by Bacilllus velezensis FZB42, a prototype strain of the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-24-2085-RE

Valentina Valencia Bernal et al. identified four Botryosphaeriaceae species causing avocado branch canker in California; Neofusicoccum luteum was the most prevalent. Fluazinam was identified as the most effective fungicide across species. 🥑 Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-24-2674-RE

Short Communication: “Characterization of Virulence of Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae in Australia in the 2023 Growing Season,” by Duong T. Nguyen et al.: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-24-2049-SC

Our last work on esca incidence in french vineyards is out in @plantdiseasej.bsky.social ! Identification of ecoclimatic indicators of esca disease through 20 years of large-scale vineyard monitoring in France | Plant Disease apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/...

Happy to share our new paper is out in @plantdiseasej.bsky.social: Development of a new tool to detect Melampsora medusae f. sp. tremuloidae causing rust disease on Populus tremuloides. #ForestHealth #TreeHealth #ForestPathology #RustFungi doi.org/10.1094/PDIS...

Florida’s strawberry industry faces a rising threat from Neopestalotiopsis sp., which survives in soil across seasons. Galvin Alonzo, Juliana S. Baggio, and Natalia A. Peres evaluated fumigants to manage crown and soilborne inoculum. 🍓 doi.org/10.1094/PDIS...

Hector Oberti et al. evaluated disease development in 6 Paspalum species under greenhouse and field conditions with 3 Claviceps paspali isolates. Field isolates were analyzed for phenotypic traits and phylogenetic relationships. doi.org/10.1094/PDIS...

Early diagnosis of brown root rot disease in trees has been challenging because the first symptoms and signs are often observed after extensive tissue colonization. Tse-Yen Liu et al. developed SYBR Green real-time quantitative PCR assays for Phellinus noxius. 🌳 Learn more: doi.org/10.1094/PDIS...