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NC State Researchers Assemble Pathogen ‘Tree of Life’

Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

neatly planted rows of corn

Mar 17, 2025

Researchers Demonstrate New Technique for Boosting Plant Growth with Bacteria

The work paves the way for crop applications that make use of these beneficial bacteria in conjunction with agrochemicals. 
Green rhododendron leave with green blotches

Jan 31, 2025

Moving Plant Disease Diagnosis from Lab to Field for Faster Results

North Carolina State University researchers continue to push the field of plant disease diagnosis forward, developing simple-to-run tests capable of delivering results in minutes, sometimes before plants show visible signs… 
Potato leaf with late blight disease.

Jan 24, 2025

Study Points to South America – Not Mexico – as Birthplace of Irish Potato Famine Pathogen

Spud sleuth Jean Ristaino and lab members solve a longstanding mystery into the origin of the Irish potato famine pathogen. 
Powdery mildew on a blueberry plant.

Jan 8, 2025

Blueberries Beware: Powdery Mildew Spreading Across the Globe

Research on fungus spread could help growers predict, monitor and control disease affecting blueberries. 
Historic potato plant affected by pathogen.

Aug 5, 2024

Study Analyzes Potato-Pathogen ‘Arms Race’ After Irish Famine

Researchers examine both the pathogen's effector genes and the plant's resistance genes simultaneously in a first-of-its-kind analysis. 
A bed bug works its way through a bed net.

Jul 23, 2024

The Unintended Consequences of Success Against Malaria

Bed nets and insecticide sprays kept targeted mosquitoes at bay for decades, and those practices also killed household pests. Until they didn't. 
Rows of crops on a farm

Mar 25, 2024

New Software Boosts Accuracy of Tech to Measure Crop Health

A new tool improves the accuracy of electronic devices that measure the color of a plant’s leaves to assess health. 
Late blight disease on potato leaf.

Feb 15, 2024

Using Written Records – and Tweets – as a Roadmap for Plant Disease Spread

Examining keyword terms from historic and modern texts can help researchers track and visualize plant diseases like late blight. 
Mosquito-resistant textile

Oct 18, 2023

Study Elucidates Evolution of Mosquitoes and Their Hosts

Study creates a mosquito family tree to better understand disease transmission and host choice. 
Tobacco budworm on a leaf.

Aug 1, 2023

Male Moth ‘Aphrodisiac’ Revealed

Study reveals for the first time a powerful pheromone chemical used by males moths to entice females. 
Scanning electron microscopy image of a chigger.

Jul 12, 2023

Bacterium Associated With Disease Found in N.C. Chiggers

The disease, scrub typhus, presents symptoms similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever. 
Picture of florescent flies.

Jun 12, 2023

CRISPR/Cas9-Based Gene Drive Could Suppress Agricultural Pests

Researchers use for the first time a gene-drive system on an important agricultural pest. 
image shows an electronic patch attached to the leaf of a tomato plant

Apr 12, 2023

Multifunctional Patch Offers Early Detection of Plant Diseases, Other Crop Threats

The patch can be applied to the leaves of plants to monitor crops for different pathogens – such as viral and fungal infections – and stresses such as drought or salinity. 
Fall armyworm moth.

Apr 11, 2023

Perfume Component Helps Lure Male Moth Pests

A small amount of nonanal added to a traditional blend of sex pheromones draws the attention of fall armyworm males looking for a good time. 
Potato plant with leaf blight

Apr 3, 2023

NC State Researchers Assemble Pathogen ‘Tree of Life’

Researchers provide open-access tool to capture new data on a global plant destroyer, Phytophthora.