Rust fungi are causing widespread damage to crops and trees across multiple regions, with scientists developing new approaches to combat them through protein shuttling mechanisms, natural biocontrols, and beneficial fungal interventions. Research shows both the destructive mechanisms these pathogens use and emerging solutions involving good fungi to fight bad fungi.
·Wheat susceptibility to rust fungi increases when a protein called TaMP moves from the plasma membrane to chloroplasts through N-myristoylation
·Orange rust is currently infecting incense cedar and pear trees across Western Oregon
·Scientists are preparing natural enemies as biocontrols to fight agricultural pests and invasive weeds like Canada thistle
·Cedar rust fungi thrive in wet conditions and have complex life cycles involving multiple host species
·Beneficial fungi are being developed as a potential defense against deadly myrtle rust disease
drawn from Nature, Purdue University - College of Agriculture, Farm Progress, Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB · updated 2d ago