gray-mold
Gray mold is a plant disease caused by the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea, which infects a broad range of host species by killing plant tissue and feeding on the dead cells. It matters to plant science because it causes substantial crop losses across ornamental, fruit, and vegetable species, making it a key model for studying plant-pathogen interactions and necrotrophic infection strategies. Research into its mechanisms also informs the development of disease resistance traits and fungicide strategies for agriculture and horticulture.
open_in_new WikipediaEurope PMC · 2026-06-20
Scientists have mapped two distinct routes the gray mold fungus Botrytis deweyae uses to invade Solomon's seal leaves, and identified the molecular pathways it activates to survive once inside, laying groundwork for targeted treatments against this disease.
B. deweyae penetrates P. cyrtonema leaves via two mechanisms: direct surface penetration using secreted gelatinous substances and infection cushions, or entry through stomatal pores
The MAPK signaling pathway, specifically the Hog1 gene (K04441), drives the fungus's osmotic stress response inside the host, triggering antioxidant enzyme expression for survival
Glyceride metabolism facilitates lipid transport and localization across the cell membrane, actively supporting the infection process