Plant pathogenic fungi represent a significant global threat, causing substantial economic losses in both agricultural crops and forests. Fungicide use, while common, faces challenges due to fungal resistance, as well as ...

Phytophthora cinnamomi is a hemi-biotrophic plant pathogen impacting the South African avocado industry. Like other Phytophthora spp., this pathogen employs a repertoire of effectors to suppress host defence mechanisms ...

Microbial communities of bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses are the most numerically abundant biological entities and regulate ecosystem services. However, the intricate and complex community interactions complicate ...

Elsinoë necatrix, the causal agent of a severe leaf and shoot disease of Eucalypts, is considered an emerging fungal pathogen. It was first discovered in 2014 in North Sumatra, Indonesia, affecting a large number of ...

Rhizobia are Gram negative bacteria that facilitate biological nitrogen fixation in association with plant hosts. These organisms have two main lifestyles, they can be either endophytic (associated with plants) or free ...

The availability of treatment for HIV infection has resulted in a drastic increase in the life expectancy of infected individuals. However, the current therapeutics fall short in many areas. A considerable 60% of treated ...

Hybridization stands out as a pivotal driver of evolution and genome adaptation, making it an important concept to study. Understanding the likelihood of hybridization in plant pathogens holds critical significance, as it ...

Chapter One of this dissertation presents a literature review of aspects of TEs and their important roles in the genome evolution of Basidiomycota and other fungi. The genome defence mechanisms that prevent the expansion ...

Plant-pathogenic organisms including fungi pose significant risks to agriculture, horticulture, and natural and plantation forests. This affects attainment of some of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to transform ...

Lack of effective wastewater management strategies poses a serious threat to the environment and human health around the world. South Africa's freshwater resources are threatened by human influence and dwindling at an ...