High Genetic Diversity and Structure of s.l. in the Archipelago of Lesser Antilles.

is a species complex of agricultural importance as it causes anthracnose disease on many crop species worldwide, and strong impact regionally on Water Yam () in the Caribbean. In this study, we conducted a genetic analysis of the fungi complex in three islands of the Lesser Antilles-Guadeloupe (Basse Terre, Grande Terre and Marie Galante), Martinique and Barbados. We specifically sampled yam fields and assessed the genetic diversity of strains with four microsatellite markers.

Natural Flora Is Indiscriminately Hosting High Loads of Generalist Fungal Pathogen Complex over Forest Niches, Vegetation Strata and Elevation Gradient.

Crop pathogenic fungi may originate from reservoir pools including wild vegetation surrounding fields, and it is thus important to characterize any potential source of pathogens. We therefore investigated natural vegetation's potential for hosting a widespread pathogenic group, species complex. We stratified sampling in different forest environments and natural vegetation strata to determine whether the fungi were found preferentially in specific niches and areas.

Dynamics of Pathogenic Fungi in Field Hedges: Vegetation Cover Is Differentially Impacted by Weather.

Landscape effects might impede or increase spore dispersal and disease risk for crops, as trees and hedges buffer winds and can behave as spore traps, therefore limiting diffusion of fungi, or, on the contrary, behave as disease relay once vegetation is infected and become inoculum sources. In this study, we investigated weekly prevalence of the pathogenic fungus   on guava tree leaves, differentiating impacts of leaf height on tree, age, and location within leaf. We first estimated differences in prevalence for each covariate, and then related infection rates to weather effects during the year.

Weeds as Pathogen Hosts and Disease Risk for Crops in the Wake of a Reduced Use of Herbicides: Evidence from Yam () Fields and Pathogens in the Tropics.

The transition toward sustainable agriculture requires rethinking cropping systems in the light of less intensive and chemically reliant practices. Weed management is one of the target practices to evolve cropping systems with decreased impact on the environment. While softened management will lead to increased weeds/crops coexistence, it is of importance to assess the relative benefits and drawbacks of new practices.