Blog – BSPP – The British Society for Plant Pathology

Digital Threat Forecast: How Algorithms Reveal the Expansion Plans of Forest Pathogens

30th June 2026

When we think about modern forest protection, we rarely imagine scientists analysing massive climate datasets in front of computer screens. …

Can viruses make harmful fungi less harmful?

22nd April 2026

Fusarium culmorum is a widespread fungal pathogen that affects many crops worldwide. When it infects cereals, such as wheat, it …

Silent Battles: How Plants Detect and Defeat Molecular Sabotage

25th March 2026

Plants may look peaceful, but at the microscopic level, they are constantly fighting invisible enemies. Bacteria that infect plants are …

Saving the Walnut: Uncovering the Secret Weapon of a Devastating Fungal Pathogen

25th February 2026

Walnuts are not only delicious but also a globally important crop, rich in protein, fibre, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. …

The search for black rot resistant brassicas

11th November 2025

Black rot is the most damaging bacterial disease of Brassica oleracea, a species that includes common veggies like cabbage, cauliflower, …

Population transcriptomics biosurveillance reveals recent migration and virulence shifts in southern corn rust

20th October 2025

Puccinia polysora, the invasive fungal pathogen causing southern corn rust (SCR), has posed a significant threat to global maize production. …

When Heat Waves Strike: Citrus Viruses Throw a Party. Scientists Found the Secret Sauce to Stop It!

16th October 2025

Ever thought plants could have viral parties? Let’s dive into a citrus tree’s wild story of heat, viruses, and some …

“I Know How to Make Disease”: Bacteria Gain Superpowers from Plasmids

28th August 2025

Ever dreamed of downloading a superpower? In The Matrix, Neo plugs in and instantly learns kung fu. Bacteria do something …

In California’s changing climate, latent pathogens driving tree diebacks

14th August 2025

Trees and woody plants are essential for life on Earth. They support biodiversity, improve air and water quality, protect soil, …

Camalexin: A Natural Shield for Plants

14th August 2025

Even though plants may seem passive, they are perpetually fighting against unseen pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and nematodes. …

How Pine Trees Fight Back

13th May 2025

Have you ever wondered how trees defend themselves against disease? Unlike humans, who rely on immune cells to fight infection, …

The Wheat NLR Protein PM3b Localises to Endoplasmic Reticulum–Plasma Membrane Contact Sites and Interacts With AVRPM3b2/c2 Through Its LRR Domain

13th February 2025

Plants and pathogens are locked in a constant arms race, with each side evolving new strategies to outsmart the other. …

Fighting Barley’s Hidden Threat: Weather and Timing Are Key to Protecting Barley Crops in Argentina

29th January 2025

Scientists unveil critical insights into Ramularia leaf spot, a disease threatening barley yields worldwide. Through field trials and predictive models, …

Population structure and pathogenicity tests of Pyricularia oryzae on wild and cultivated rice in Mali

31st December 2024

Blast is a devastating disease of rice caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae. The disease is present wherever rice is …

Rising Risks: The Impact of Climate-Induced Pathogen Shifts on Global Crop Security

6th December 2024

Global warming leading to climate change is modifying ecosystems worldwide, with significant repercussions for agriculture. One critical impact is its …

The invisible enemy: Phytophthora root rot threatening wild olive trees in Sardinia

3rd December 2024

Wild olive stands out as one of the most iconic evergreen tree species in Mediterranean forests and maquis vegetation. Known …

How Bacterial Disease Affects Plum Trees: What We Learned from Years of Research in Brazilian Orchards

10th November 2024

select figures to enlarge Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterial pathogen of global concern, infects a wide range of plants and causes …

An array of Zymoseptoria tritici effectors suppress plant immune responses

5th November 2024

Plant-pathogenic fungi can secrete proteins (effectors) with a variety of host- and host-environment-manipulating activities. Studying these effectors can enhance our …

A virulent milRNA inhibits host immunity by silencing a host receptor-like kinase MaLYK3 and facilitates infection by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense

28th October 2024

Fusarium wilt of Banana, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is one of the most devastating diseases affecting …

Exploring the role of cultivar, year and plot age in the incidence of esca and Eutypa dieback: Insights from 20 years of regional surveys in France

2nd September 2024

Grapevine trunk diseases like esca and Eutypa dieback are affecting grapevines worldwide. They cause wood rot from pathogenic fungi and …

The root-knot nematode effector MiEFF12 targets the host ER quality control system to suppress immune responses and allow parasitism

16th August 2024

Root-knot nematodes (RKN) of the genus Meloidogyne are microscopic worms responsible for significant damage to thousands of plant species by …

Unlocking the Future of Plant Pathology and Plant Phenotyping: Automated Disease Scoring in Sugar Beets

13th August 2024

As the agricultural landscape evolves, so does the need for innovative approaches to tackle persistent challenges. One such challenge is …

Finding resistance genes of common bean to common bacterial blight

11th July 2024

Common bean is an important source of protein, vitamins, minerals and fibre for human consumption, especially for the African and …

RNA interference – the next frontier of “green chemistry” fungicides?

27th May 2024

Proof of concept: control of grey leaf spot disease of maize using double-stranded RNA sprays. Maize, a staple food for …