Decomposition of plant litter, facilitated primarily by microbial decomposers, plays a critical role in biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem function. The rate of litter decomposition can determine its environmental impact, where accelerated decomposition alters the timing and rate of nutrient release and may promote nutrient leaching, whereas slowed decomposition can result in litter accumulation, which impacts seedling recru...

Just as the human gut microbiome is colonized by a variety of microbes, so too is the rhizosphere of plants. An imbalance in this microbial community, known as dysbiosis, can have a negative impact on plant health. This study sought to explore the effect of rhizosphere dysbiosis on the health of tomato plants ( Solanum lycopersicum L.), using them and the foliar bacterial spot pathogen Xanthomonas perforans as model organisms....

Summary Bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas perforans ( Xp ) is an economically important disease in tomato. Previous studies have shown that the recently isolated Xp strains have acquired and retained the effector gene, xopJ2 , which has been reported to increase fitness of the pathogen in the field. To elucidate the fitness benefit of xopJ2 , we quantified the effect of xopJ2 on the dispersal and evolution of Xp populations...

Globally destructive crop pathogens often emerge by migrating out of their native ranges. These pathogens are often diverse at their centre of origin and may exhibit adaptive variation in the invaded range via multiple introductions from different source populations. However, source populations are generally unidentified or poorly studied compared to invasive populations. Phytophthora infestans , the causal agent of late bligh...

Emerging pathogens are a growing threat to human health, agriculture and the diversity of ecological communities but may also help control problematic species. Here we investigated the diversity, distribution and consequences of emerging fungal pathogens infecting an aggressive invasive grass that is rapidly colonising habitats throughout the eastern USA . We document the recent emergence and accumulation over time of diverse...