The biological activity of bacterial rhamnolipids on Arabidopsis thaliana and the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii is linked to their molecular structure.

Rhamnolipids (RLs) are amphiphilic compounds of bacterial origin that offer a broad range of potential applications as biosurfactants in industry and agriculture. They are reported to be active against different plant pests and pathogens and thus are considered promising candidates for nature-derived plant protection agents. However, as these glycolipids are structurally diverse, little is known about their exact mode of action and, in particular, the relation between molecular structure and biological activity against plant pests and pathogens.

Advanced screening methods for assessing motility and hatching in plant-parasitic nematodes.

Background: Plant-parasitic nematodes are economically important pests responsible for substantial losses in agriculture. Researchers focusing on plant-parasitic nematodes, especially on finding new ways of their control, often need to assess basic parameters such as their motility, viability, and reproduction. Traditionally, these assays involve visually counting juveniles and eggs under a dissecting microscope, making this investigation time-consuming and laborious.

Engineered coumarin accumulation reduces mycotoxin-induced oxidative stress and disease susceptibility.

Coumarins can fight pathogens and are thus promising for crop protection. Their biosynthesis, however, has not yet been engineered in crops. We tailored the constitutive accumulation of coumarins in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana, Glycine max and Arabidopsis thaliana plants, as well as in Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 suspension cells.

Production of tailored hydroxylated prodiginine showing combinatorial activity with rhamnolipids against plant-parasitic nematodes.

Bacterial secondary metabolites exhibit diverse remarkable bioactivities and are thus the subject of study for different applications. Recently, the individual effectiveness of tripyrrolic prodiginines and rhamnolipids against the plant-parasitic nematode , which causes tremendous losses in crop plants, was described. Notably, rhamnolipid production in engineered strains has already reached industrial implementation.