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View article: Chromosome-level genome assemblies for the latent pine pathogen, <i>Diplodia sapinea</i> , reveal two accessory chromosomes with distinct genomic features and evolutionary dynamics
Chromosome-level genome assemblies for the latent pine pathogen, <i>Diplodia sapinea</i> , reveal two accessory chromosomes with distinct genomic features and evolutionary dynamics Open
Diplodia sapinea (Dothideomycetes) is a latent fungal pathogen with a global distribution that predominantly infects Pinus species. The impact of the fungus is increasing due to climate-driven range expansion and thus wide-scale disease ou…
View article: Productivity Drives Leaf Mycobiome Diversity Patterns at Global and Continental Scales
Productivity Drives Leaf Mycobiome Diversity Patterns at Global and Continental Scales Open
Aim Studies assessing large‐scale patterns of microbial diversity have predominantly focused on free‐living microorganisms, often failing to link observed patterns to established theories regarding the maintenance of global diversity patte…
View article: Determinants of mating success in a lek‐mating species
Determinants of mating success in a lek‐mating species Open
Leks are male‐biased aggregations formed for mating, where sperm is the only resource acquired by visiting females. One of the many advantages of leks is the possibility to efficiently assess the quality of potential mates by comparing agg…
View article: Silent invaders: the hidden threat of asymptomatic phytobiomes to forest biosecurity
Silent invaders: the hidden threat of asymptomatic phytobiomes to forest biosecurity Open
Summary Populations of diverse, unknown, and potentially pathogenic fungi and fungus‐like organisms are continuously introduced into new locations via asymptomatic infections (e.g. as endophytes or latent pathogens) within internationally …
View article: Advancing forest pathology: the need for community‐driven molecular experimental model systems
Advancing forest pathology: the need for community‐driven molecular experimental model systems Open
Summary Forests world‐wide are under escalating threat from emerging and invasive fungal and oomycete pathogens, driven by globalization and shifting climate dynamics. Effective strategies to manage the current scale and rate of changes in…
View article: The influence of biosecurity on the diversity and management of a 120-year old joint insect-fungus pest invasion
The influence of biosecurity on the diversity and management of a 120-year old joint insect-fungus pest invasion Open
The woodwasp, Sirex noctilio , and its mutualistic fungal symbiont, Amylostereum areolatum , are native to Eurasia and northern Africa. Sirex noctilio was first reported outside its native range in New Zealand in 1900, Tasmania in 1952 and…
View article: Mathematically modelling the population dynamics of CRISPR gene drive systems in the pine pest <i>Sirex noctilio</i>
Mathematically modelling the population dynamics of CRISPR gene drive systems in the pine pest <i>Sirex noctilio</i> Open
Sirex noctilio is an invasive pest of pine that has caused significant economic damage in South Africa and many other Southern Hemisphere countries. Current management tools are not efficient in all cases and consequently there is a need f…
View article: <i>Botryosphaeriaceae</i> Associated With Racemes, Fruits and Leaves of Macadamia in South Africa
<i>Botryosphaeriaceae</i> Associated With Racemes, Fruits and Leaves of Macadamia in South Africa Open
Species in the Botryosphaeriaceae are common in the endophytic microbiome of woody plants. Some of these are well known to cause branch die‐back and decline of macadamia trees and have also been associated with diseases of their fruits and…
View article: Chromosome-level genome assemblies for the latent pine pathogen, <i>Diplodia sapinea</i> , reveal two rapidly evolving accessory chromosomes
Chromosome-level genome assemblies for the latent pine pathogen, <i>Diplodia sapinea</i> , reveal two rapidly evolving accessory chromosomes Open
Diplodia sapinea (Dothideomycetes) is a latent fungal pathogen with a global distribution that predominantly infects Pinus species. The impact of the fungus is increasing due to climate-driven range expansion and thus wide-scale disease ou…
View article: Biological control protects carbon sequestration capacity of plantation forests
Biological control protects carbon sequestration capacity of plantation forests Open
In many natural and managed forest and tree systems, pest attacks and related dieback events have become a matter of increasing global concern. Although these attacks modify the carbon balance of tree systems, their contribution to climate…
View article: First Report of <i>Clavibacter nebraskensis</i> Causing Goss’s Bacterial Leaf Blight on Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) in South Africa
First Report of <i>Clavibacter nebraskensis</i> Causing Goss’s Bacterial Leaf Blight on Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) in South Africa Open
Maize is a staple crop in South Africa and an important income source to both smallholder and commercial farmers (Gravelet-Blondin, 2015). Goss's bacterial leaf blight and wilt, caused by Clavibacter nebraskensis (Cn), is a significant mai…
View article: Assessing Gonipterus sp. n. 2 defoliation levels using multispectral Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data in Eucalyptus plantations
Assessing Gonipterus sp. n. 2 defoliation levels using multispectral Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data in Eucalyptus plantations Open
The locally invasive insect pest Gonipterus sp. n. 2 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) threatens Eucalyptus plantations, causing defoliation and yield loss through adult and larval feeding. Early detection is important for early intervention to …
View article: Host specificity and host stage preference of <i>Psyllaephagus</i> species (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) towards invasive eucalypt psyllids (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae)
Host specificity and host stage preference of <i>Psyllaephagus</i> species (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) towards invasive eucalypt psyllids (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) Open
Invasive eucalypt psyllids pose a threat to the long‐term production of eucalypts worldwide. In order to reduce their economic impact, classical biological control using Psyllaephagus species has been used successfully. The objectives of t…
View article: Branch canker battles: understanding and managing the Botryosphaeriaceae in avocado
Branch canker battles: understanding and managing the Botryosphaeriaceae in avocado Open
Avocado holds an important position in global agriculture and economic development. However, this thriving industry faces significant challenges from fungal pathogens, particularly those in the Botryosphaeriaceae . These fungi have emerged…
View article: Understanding the genetics of sex determination in insects and its relevance to genetic pest management
Understanding the genetics of sex determination in insects and its relevance to genetic pest management Open
Sex determination pathways regulate male and female‐specific development and differentiation and offer potential targets for genetic pest management methods. Insect sex determination pathways are comprised of primary signals, relay genes a…
View article: Development of a molecular genetics and cell biology toolbox for the filamentous fungus Diplodia sapinea
Development of a molecular genetics and cell biology toolbox for the filamentous fungus Diplodia sapinea Open
Diplodia sapinea (Fr.) Fuckel is a widespread fungal pathogen affecting conifers worldwide. Infections can lead to severe symptoms, such as shoot blight, canker, tree death, or blue stain in harvested wood, especially in Pinus species. Its…
View article: The Pine Pathogen Diplodia sapinea: Expanding Frontiers
The Pine Pathogen Diplodia sapinea: Expanding Frontiers Open
Purpose of Review This review offers a thorough examination of the pine pathogen Diplodia sapinea , tracing its historical significance from its initial impact on South African non-native Pinus plantations to its recent emergence as a majo…
View article: First report of the giant conifer aphid, <i>Cinara pinivora</i> (Wilson) and the Monterey pine aphid, <i>Essigella californica</i> (Essig) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in South Africa
First report of the giant conifer aphid, <i>Cinara pinivora</i> (Wilson) and the Monterey pine aphid, <i>Essigella californica</i> (Essig) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in South Africa Open
Pine aphids represent a significant group of insect pests in coniferous ecosystems worldwide. To assess pine aphid prevalence and potentially new introductions in South Africa, aphid samples from various pine-growing regions were collected…
View article: Genomic characterization of novel viruses associated with Olea europaea L. in South Africa
Genomic characterization of novel viruses associated with Olea europaea L. in South Africa Open
South Africa has a small but growing olive industry. Until now, no virological research has been carried out on this crop locally. Seventeen samples were collected from various olive cultivars from a single producer in the Stellenbosch gro…
View article: <i>Fusarium</i> species associated with <i>Euwallacea xanthopus</i> in South Africa, including two novel species
<i>Fusarium</i> species associated with <i>Euwallacea xanthopus</i> in South Africa, including two novel species Open
Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are small wood-boring insects that live in an obligate symbiosis with fungi, which serve as their primary food source. Beetles residing in the genus Euwallacea have evolved a unique …
View article: Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with branch dieback and decline of macadamia trees in South Africa
Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with branch dieback and decline of macadamia trees in South Africa Open
Botryosphaeriaceae species are important latent pathogens causing diseases on trees utilized in forestry and agriculture. In recent years, there has been an increase in the incidence and severity of branch dieback and decline on macadamia …
View article: New and Interesting Fungi. 7.
New and Interesting Fungi. 7. Open
Two new genera, 17 new species, two epitypes, and six interesting new host and / or geographical records are introduced in this study. New genera include: Cadophorella (based on Cadophorella faginea) and Neosatchmopsis (based on Neosatchmo…
View article: Botryosphaeriaceae partially overlap on asymptomatic and symptomatic tissues of Anacardiaceae in agroecosystems and conservation areas in northern South Africa
Botryosphaeriaceae partially overlap on asymptomatic and symptomatic tissues of Anacardiaceae in agroecosystems and conservation areas in northern South Africa Open
Members of the Botryosphaeriaceae are well-known endophytes and stress-related pathogens. We recently characterised the diversity of Botryosphaeriaceae in healthy tissues of three tree species in the Anacardiaceae, namely Sclerocarya birre…