fungi

Research identifies new fungi causing ugly disease in peonies

By Seth Truscott, College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences PULLMAN, Wash. – Pacific Northwest farmers have found success growing peonies for a thriving global market. But a devastating fungus called Botrytis is limiting market growth and profits for Northwest farmers.

‘Mushroom queen’ hunts fungus among us

By Linda Weiford, WSU News PULLMAN, Wash. – October marks the peak of wild mushroom picking in the Northwest, and a Washington State University plant pathologist nicknamed the “mushroom queen” is just the person you’d want in tow. She can keep you from getting lost in the woods and from eating a mushroom that tastes […]

Fungi can benefit gardens, forest

Amanita mushroom. Photo courtesy of WSU Extension. EVERETT, Wash. – From garden to farm to forest, learn how to put fungi to work growing healthier plants. Did you know that almost 90 percent of all plants form a beneficial or symbiotic relationship with a fungus? These mycorrhizal fungi colonize plant roots and extend their root […]

Discovery bolsters battle against bacteria and fungi

PULLMAN — Scientists at Washington State University in Pullman have discovered a molecule that plays a role in the battle plants must win against bacteria and fungi that would eat them for lunch.The group led by Professor Clarence A. “Bud” Ryan isolated a small protein called Pep1 that appears to act like a hormone, signaling […]