About this Research Topic
Phytopathogenic fungi, often together with insect pests, severely limit forestry production worldwide and have therefore received much attention in the past. Numerous studies suggest that interactions between the two agents in an ecological context contribute to the outbreaks of plant disease and insect pests. However, there are not yet common mechanisms or theories for outbreaks in a forest ecosystem, as the consequences are context-dependent and increasingly complicated by climate change. These phytopathogenic fungi cause changes in host plants,
which in turn affect insect behaviour both positively and negatively. In addition, we are increasingly coming to appreciate the role of phytopathogenic fungi associated with insect pests in determining the physiological, biochemical, and behavioural processes of pests, such as antagonistic, commensal, and mutualistic interactions.
Understanding the interaction mechanisms between the different parties – phytopathogenic fungi, insect pests, and host plants - would help control both pests and plant diseases and promote sustainable management. This research topic aims to investigate both long-standing and novel biotic interactions and contribute to a better understanding of how such multitrophic interactions affect forest plant health.
To comprehensively cover this broad range of topics, original research articles, reports, reviews, opinions and commentaries are welcome. Contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following topics are preferably welcome.
1. Signaling interaction mechanisms between phytopathogenic fungi and insect pests that promote coevolution with the host plant, particularly with respect to influencing insect physiology and behaviour.
2. Molecular mechanisms underlying phytopathogenic fungi and insect interactions, including integrated analysis of genome, microbiome, metagenome, proteome, metabolome, small RNA, etc.
Manuscripts involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of other microbes such as bacteria, viruses, Wolbachia, Rickettsia, etc. on important forest pests, especially in terms of affecting insect physiology and behaviour are also welcome.
which in turn affect insect behaviour both positively and negatively. In addition, we are increasingly coming to appreciate the role of phytopathogenic fungi associated with insect pests in determining the physiological, biochemical, and behavioural processes of pests, such as antagonistic, commensal, and mutualistic interactions.
Understanding the interaction mechanisms between the different parties – phytopathogenic fungi, insect pests, and host plants - would help control both pests and plant diseases and promote sustainable management. This research topic aims to investigate both long-standing and novel biotic interactions and contribute to a better understanding of how such multitrophic interactions affect forest plant health.
To comprehensively cover this broad range of topics, original research articles, reports, reviews, opinions and commentaries are welcome. Contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following topics are preferably welcome.
1. Signaling interaction mechanisms between phytopathogenic fungi and insect pests that promote coevolution with the host plant, particularly with respect to influencing insect physiology and behaviour.
2. Molecular mechanisms underlying phytopathogenic fungi and insect interactions, including integrated analysis of genome, microbiome, metagenome, proteome, metabolome, small RNA, etc.
Manuscripts involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of other microbes such as bacteria, viruses, Wolbachia, Rickettsia, etc. on important forest pests, especially in terms of affecting insect physiology and behaviour are also welcome.
Keywords: Phytopathogenic fungi, insect pests, host plants, microbiome, interactions
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
