Pei-Cheng Huang et al. identified a novel rhizobacterium with a broad host range that promotes growth and systemic resistance across multiple plant species in a jasmonic acid-dependent, ketol-driven manner. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-10-25-0142-FI

The root-lesion nematode #Pratylenchus vulnus parasitizes a wide range of hosts, including woody perennials such as walnut and grapevine, significantly damaging roots and reducing yields. Dadong Dai et al. present a high-quality, chromosome-level genome assembly of P. vulnus: https://bit.ly/4u48AiZ

Interactions between plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) and other phytopathogens can lead to disease complexes. Alison Blundell et al. discuss specific aspects of PPN life cycles that may facilitate disease complex formation: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-10-25-0154-FI

Using whole-genome resequencing data from 1,110 soybean accessions, Sushil Satish Chhapekar et al. identified novel allelic variation and unique haplotypes in diverse soybean germplasm that contribute to resistance against soybean cyst nematode: https://bit.ly/4eEqF2q

📢 The next @mpmijournal.bsky.social Focus Issue is now open for submissions: "Plant Immune Receptors in the Spotlight" 🌱🔬 Edited by @dinglab.bsky.social @clemmar.bsky.social @marischuster.bsky.social Rich Wilson and myself! Submit your best work by 31/10/26! 👇 apsjournals.apsnet.org/mpmireceptors

NEW: Explore the latest MPMI focus issue, "Symbiotic and Pathogenic Interactions in the Rhizosphere": https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/toc/mpmi/39/2 #rhizosphere

Plant resistance (R) and pathogen avirulence (Avr) gene interaction are central to pathogen recognition and disease resistance. Eric C. Pereira et al. identified an Avr candidate, AvrPstB48, that triggered defense responses in 16 out of 24 cultivars tested: https://bit.ly/4bu7o0u

#Elsinoë arachidis is a major foliar pathogen responsible for peanut scab. Jingwen Hao et al. provided insights into the molecular mechanism that governs ESCB3-mediated virulence and elsinochrome production in E. arachidis and offers potential targets for control strategies: https://bit.ly/4sjCPll

Elizabeth Deyett et al. demonstrated that pretreatment with two bacterial isolates from the grapevine endosphere, Pseudomonas viridiflava and Achromobacter vitis, reduced symptoms of Pierce’s disease and Xylella fastidosa titer comparable to a known biocontrol agent: https://bit.ly/4lzLqxH

Previous studies have provided a broader view of #Bacillus cereus AR156 control of tomato bacterial wilt. Zi-Jie Li et al. explored key WRKY transcription factors from transcriptional regulation perspective and provide a theoretical foundation for the biocontrol of diseases: https://bit.ly/47Rzbqq

A recent study by Durga Bhavani KB et al. identified key players in diffusible signal factor (DSF)-mediated immune response and elaborated on the downstream events of DSF recognition as a pathogen-associated molecular patterns: https://bit.ly/4bgxzJd

Darcy A. B. Jones and Sylvain Raffaele identified 215 effector-like proteins and refined our understating of effector diversity and organization in#Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Read the article to learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-08-25-0101-R

Harringtonia lauricola causes a lethal disease called laurel wilt and threatens both native ecosystems and avocado production. Joshua L. Konkol, Qiang Wang, and Jeffrey A. Rollins identified key compatibility traits that enable H. lauricola to lethally colonize its tree hosts: https://bit.ly/3Nu5tRw

Editor’s Pick: “A Novel Chitinase-Like Family of Candidate Effectors Unique to Aphids,” by Rosa Lopez-Cobollo et al. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-08-25-0098-R Read the Commentary by Sandra V. Gomez-Gutierrez and Unnati Sonawala: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-01-26-0010-CM

Shaokang Zhang et al. identified a single amino acid change at two conserved residues in coat protein that compromises tomato brown rugose fruit virus systemic infection. Read the article to learn more about ToBRFV-encoded proteins at the molecular level: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-07-25-0095-R

Editor’s Pick: “Structural Insights into WY Domain SLiM-Containing Conserved RxLR Effectors: A Case Study of Five Important Phytophthora Species,” by B. C. Salasini et al. Learn more: https://bit.ly/47PB72F Read the Commentary: https://bit.ly/3NIiVkM Read the press release: https://bit.ly/4lBvNpq

NEW H. H. Flor Distinguished Review: “The Five Senses: How Do Plant Pathogens Know They Found Their Host?" by Rachel Hammond et al.: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-10-25-0148-HH

Jacob Searight et al. used whole-genome sequencing of 136 #Cercospora janseana isolates collected from Louisiana and Texas to investigate genetic diversity, population structure, and possible reproductive strategies: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-03-25-0031-R

“Accelerated Haustoria Segmentation Enables Rapid Gene Function Analysis in Cereal–Powdery Mildew Pathosystems,” by Stefanie Lück et al. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-06-25-0067-TA

To investigate infection phase-specific gene expression in #Zymoseptoria tritici, Sandra V. Gomez-Gutierrez et al. analyzed gene expression during infection of susceptible and resistant wheat cultivars, as well as the nonhost species barley: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-07-25-0090-R

Plant lipid transfer proteins (LTPs), belonging to the pathogenesis-related protein 14 family, participate in plant immune response to biotic stress. Jie Ji et al. analyzed the role of LTP1 in plant resistance to eukaryotic pathogens: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-04-25-0041-SC

Laurent Camborde et al. explored the applicability of DNA-free endogenous counterselection in filamentous oomycetes, using CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-05-25-0063-TA

“A Lipopolysaccharide Lipid A Acyltransferase Gene msbB Is Involved in Soybean Rhizobial Intracellular Colonization and Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation,” by Ziqi Li et al. Read now: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-02-25-0018-R

Data from Garrett J. Levin et al. suggests that stachydrine catabolism contributes to optimal root nodule symbiosis between #Sinorhizobium meliloti and #Medicago sativa in the context of both a minimal and a wild-type genomic background. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-02-25-0021-SC

You-Jin Lim et al. highlight dual roles of MoHTR1 in regulating both transcription and posttranscriptional processes and provide novel insights into how nuclear effectors modulate host immunity through intricate molecular mechanisms. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-03-25-0033-SC

@lubegajib @niab-uk.bsky.social and I are thrilled to contribute to the global oat crown rust genomics study published in @mpmijournal.bsky.social. Thank you to @Figueroa_MM and @jsperschneider.bsky.social for leading, and the full author team for a superb collab. 🧬🌾 www.niab.com/news-views/n...

Findings from Seowon Choi et al. suggest that STT3A contributes to plant immunity via posttranslational modification of proteins including NCER2 and RDA2. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-05-25-0061-R

“Dual Single-Nucleus Gene Expression Atlas of Grapevine and Erysiphe necator During Early Powdery Mildew Infection,” by Maria-Sole Bonarota et al. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-08-25-0099-R

C. H. Parada-Rojas et al. present a reference-quality NLRome for the hexaploid sweetpotato and diploid wild relatives. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-03-25-0034-R

Rice blast is caused by the fungus #Magnaporthe oryzae and seriously threatens rice production worldwide. Meng Liu et al. showed RBL1 shapes phyllosphere microbial structure to enhance disease resistance in rice: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-08-25-0097-R

Current Review: “Conservation of Genes Required for Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis,” by Ellen Krall et al. Read now: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-05-25-0065-CR

To investigate the regulatory mechanisms governing symbiotic nitrogen fixation and senescence, Ryan DelPercio et al. conducted a temporal transcriptomic analysis of soybean nodules colonized with #Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA110. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-04-25-0037-R

Findings from Anna Koprivova et al. uncovered the complex multilayered nature of #Arabidopsis responses to commensal and pathogenic bacteria and identify new connections across different regulatory levels. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-09-25-0125-R

Siyu Song et al. found that FERONIA kinase and LRX1/2 play an integral role in shaping the rhizosphere microbiome. Read the article to learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-05-25-0064-R

Interactions Review: Mishi V. Vachev et al. summarize current knowledge, identify knowledge gaps, and provide a summary of genomic and molecular tools currently available to study the #Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae–strawberry interaction. Read now: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-03-25-0028-IRW

Contrary to expectations, K. K. Pennerman et al. found that #Macrophomina phaseolina should be considered a single species with both specialist and generalist populations in which meiosis can maintain genetic diversity. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-03-25-0032-R

Nicolas Lapalu et al. developed a new method to improve the prediction of eukaryotic genes and demonstrate its utility using the genome of the fungal wheat pathogen #Zymoseptoria tritici. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-07-25-0077-TA

Editor’s Pick: “Non-Nitrogen-Fixing Sinorhizobium meliloti Can Escape Sanctions in Indeterminate Alfalfa Nodules, Exhibiting Parasitic Growth,” by Amanpreet K. Brar et al. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-06-25-0074-R

Editor’s Pick: "Interactions of Wheat Powdery Mildew Effectors Involved in Recognition by the Wheat NLR PM3," by Jonatan Isaksson et al. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-05-25-0050-SC

NEW H. H. Flor Distinguished Review: "The Extended Plant Immune System," by Corné M. J. Pieterse. Read the open access review in MPMI: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-10-25-0144-HH

Maniraj Rathinam et al. found the CpMSRB1 gene in a wild pigeonpea acts as a molecular "repairman," protecting a key enzyme to ramp up antioxidants and defense chemicals against the devastating pod borer. Future pest resistance starts here. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-11-24-0149-R

Jacob R. Botkin and Shaun J. Curtin engineered Medicago plants using CRISPR-Cas9 and gene overexpression and reported enhanced resistance (up to 80%) to the devastating Spring Black Stem fungus. This research paves the way for resistant alfalfa. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-05-25-0053-R

Lina Yang et al. cracked the signal pathways used by peach shoot blight fungus, Diaporthe amygdali. Targeting the Pmk1 and Mps1 cascades cripples the pathogen’s growth and ability to infect. This is a key step for new disease control! Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-06-25-0071-R

Rune Hansen et al. reported that the substomatal cavity is a crucial check point where the devastating Septoria blotch (Zymoseptoria tritici) infection is stopped. Understanding this mechanism is key to future wheat immunity. Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-11-24-0147-R

Research by Aidan C. Shands et al. on Phytophthora root rot in California avocados revealed that the pathogen, P. cinnamomi, likely migrated from Mexico. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4hxxsdA

Melanie Mendel et al. developed a new Type 3 Secretion System (T3SS) tool to study how Pseudomonas syringae effectors invade spinach. They identified AvrE1 and HopM1 as key virulence factors. This is a vital step for breeding disease-resistant leafy greens. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4nrvqgn

Rikky Rai and Nian Wang report that Xanthomonas effector PthA4 indirectly triggers the disease by activating a host gene, which then switches on plant genes (CsEXP2 and CsEG1) that lead to the destructive canker symptoms. This pinpoints new targets for breeding resistance: https://bit.ly/47FUg6C

Jana Sperschneider et al. reported a new, high-quality genome assembly of the flax rust fungus (Melampsora lini) resolved complex effector loci and confirmed 2 unusually large effector proteins, AvrM3 and AvrN. This challenges the standard idea that effectors must be small: https://bit.ly/3Jpr37O

Nicholas Rhoades et al. identified an RGAE homolog in Fusarium graminearum that is critical for the initial infection and DON mycotoxin accumulation in wheat and barley. Targeting this single effector gene, FgRGAE, offers a powerful new strategy to protect cereal crops: https://bit.ly/4oilO96

Mandelli & Deluc identified 9 "hotspots" on the Grapevine Red Blotch Virus genome that are highly targeted by the grapevine's defense system. Delivering double-stranded RNA from these sites significantly reduced viral expression, paving the way for targeted RNAi biopesticides: https://bit.ly/3Jvwr9e