Abstract On the occasion of the centenary of our friend and colleague Zoltán Király—one of the most influential plant pathologists of the 20th century—we revisit a question inspired by his pioneering work at the Plant Protection Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences: how is the hypersensitive response (HR), a cornerstone of plant immunity and one of Király's, scientific passions, mechanistically linked to one of the most current topics in plant pathology — the role of small RNAs (sRNAs) in plant defence against microbial pathogens? For the past decade, our laboratory at the Justus Liebig Universität Giessen and more recently at the CNRS Strasbourg has investigated RNA-mediated mechanisms underlying plant resistance to pathogenic microorganisms and pests, including aphids, fungi and viruses (Liu et al., 2020). This research coincides with the emergence of the first RNA-based bioprotectants, particularly double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), now commercially available for controlling insect pests (Wenninger et al., 2025). Yet, despite these advances, our understanding of how sRNAs directly influence plant immune responses, including HR, remains limited. In this short letter we give a schematic overview on the current knowledge on the topic.

Abstract Botrytis cinerea is considered to be the second most important plant pathogen with devastating economic impact on different crops, including tomato. Trichoderma afroharzianum (TR04) is a promising biocontrol agent against fungal plant pathogens. This research evaluates its antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea , its growth promoting effects on tomato seeds, and its salt tolerance. The results indicate that T. afroharzianum (TR04) produces both volatile and non-volatile metabolites exhibiting antifungal properties. Specifically, the culture filtrate suppressed B. cinerea growth by 15.99%, non-volatiles with 11.45%, and volatiles with 11.44%. In growth promotion assays, T. afroharzianum (TR04) metabolites did not significantly enhance tomato seed growth except for reducing primary root length compared to the control. Notably, T. afroharzianum (TR04) exhibited robust growth under salt stress conditions (0.5, 0.75, and 1.25M NaCl), although its morphology changed significantly, displaying yellow sporulation instead of the typical green. These results suggest T. afroharzianum (TR04) as a potential biocontrol agent against B. cinerea , even in saline environments.

Abstract A female specimen of the thick-headed fly, Thecophora bimaculata (Preyssler, 1791), was collected in Hungary. This species is new to the Hungarian fly fauna, and this is the 54th representative of the family Conopidae Latreille, 1802 recorded from the country. A short, illustrated descriptionis presented about the newly collected species, accompanied by notes on the Thecophora of Hungary.

Abstract Physiological and molecular changes were investigated in barley hormone mutants after powdery mildew infection. Interactions between barley powdery mildew race A6 and barley cultivar Bowman, along with its various brassinosteroid hormone mutants (BW084, BW091, BW312, BW333, 828 and BW885) were all compatible. Fluorescence microscopy revealed strong autofluorescence signal of chlorophyll a at the early stage of the disease, which markedly decreased 10 days after inoculation. At 3 days post-inoculation (DPI), photosynthetic parameters Fv/Fm and qL significantly increased, while NPQ and qN decreased across all genotypes. Reflectance parameters Ctr1 (Carter index) significantly increased in Bowman and BW828 but decreased in BW 312. There was a significant decrease of Lic1 (Lichtenthaler index) in BW885 after infection with powdery mildew. Expression of the pathogenesis-related HvPR1-b gene increased markedly at 3 DPI, whereas the expression of the heat shock protein gene HvHsp90 increased significantly only at day 6 in powdery mildew-infected Bowman and its mutant lines. The 23kD jasmonate-induced protein gene HvJIP-23 was slightly down-regulated at both 3 and 6 DPI in each genotype. No significant difference was observed in expression of HvJIP-23 between Bowman and its near-isogenic mutants. The root abundant factor gene HvRAF was considerably down-regulated after powdery mildew infection at 3 DPI in each barley genotype as compared with the uninoculated control.

Abstract Effect of Meloidogyne incognita and Macrophomina phaseolina was observed singly, and together in three soil types on plant growth parameters of okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench cultivars Arka, Hybrid, Rohini, Nirmal and Abhay. Plant growth was greater in loam soil followed by 20% fly ash soil, and least in 20% sand mix soil. Plant growth (shoot dry weight), was reduced in plants inoculated with any test pathogen. Inoculation of both pathogens together caused a greater reduction of plant growth than their individual inoculation in all the 5 cultivars. Cultivars Arka, was found moderately resistant (MR), Hybrid, Rohini and Nirmal were Tolerant, and Abhay was susceptible to M. incognita in types of soil tested. Similarly, cultivars Arka, Rohini and Nirmal were MR, Hybrid was highly susceptible (HS) and Abhay was tolerant to M. phaseolina. However, Arka, Rohini and Nirmal were rated as susceptible while hybrid and Abhay were HS against M. incognita plus M. phaseolina . Highest galling and nematode population were observed in Abhay and least in Arka. Galling and nematode multiplication was high in 20% sand mix soil followed by loam soil and least in 20% fly ash amended soil. Root rot disease index also varied in different okra cultivars.

Abstract Mango ( Mangifera indica L.) is a tropical woody plant with its fruit is rich source of vitamin A, C, D and other medicinal properties that is also an important horticultural crop in Eritrea. Mango production is affected by various insect pests, diseases, and abiotic factors, leading to reduced yields. The mango twig girdler [ Diastocera trifasciata (Fabricius, 1775)] is a xylophagous cerambycid insect pest that causes significant economic damage to mango and other woody trees in an increasing range across the African continent. This study reports the first occurrence of this insect in mango cultivation areas of Eritrea, through the example of a survey carried out in Zoba Anseba, along the banks of the Anseba River. The mango twig gridler was found to be prevalent in all surveyed plantations: an average of 32 cut branches per tree and up to 92 oviposition sites per branch was counted, which means reducing yield by cutting fruit bearing branches Additionally, the insect was observed infesting Ficus sycomorus , Adansonia digitata , and Jatropha species. Farmers traditionally manage the pest population by using the infested branches as firewood, as these branches harbor the larvae and pupal stages of the insect.

Abstract Trichochloritis kiralyi sp. nov. is described from Sichuan Province, China. This new species is most similar to Trichochloritis adaequata (Gredler, 1894), which has a more elevated spire and a narrower umbilicus. Trichochloritis hunanensis Yen, 1939 is a new synonym of T . adaequata .

Abstract It is well-established that salicylic acid (SA) and glutathione are key components of plant defense against viruses. Our earlier research showed that elevated glutathione in tobacco correlated with increased SA levels resulting in enhanced resistance to Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). We also demonstrated that glutathione could maintain TMV resistance in SA-deficient transgenic tobacco (Künstler et al., 2019). In the present study, we tested how SA and glutathione affect plant defense to Tobacco necrosis virus (TNV). Our results show that glutathione overproduction in tobacco had no effect on TNV levels and elevated glutathione in SA deficient tobacco could not compensate for the lack of SA as opposed to TMV infections. An analysis of SA and glutathione levels was conducted in virus-inoculated plants. An increase in SA levels was a characteristic of TMV infection, but not of TNV, while glutathione levels increased in response to both viruses. However, SA is necessary for maintaining plant defense to both TMV and TNV because the absence of SA leads to increased susceptibility to both viruses. In overall high levels of glutathione seem to be clearly associated with a higher degree of resistance to TMV but not to TNV. This study may contribute to a better understanding of plant defense responses against viruses.

Abstract A new species of the genus Angulobaloghia ( A. kiralyi sp. nov.) is described from Sarawak (Malaysia), based on three females and three males. The new species differs from the congeners in the shape of the genital shield of the female, the shallow depressions on the sternal and ventral shields, the length and position of the ventral setae.

Abstract Two new species of oribatid mites (Oribatida) are described, based on adults collected from central Vietnam. Pulchroppia brevis n. sp. (Oppiidae) differs from the related species Pulchroppia marianae by the morphology of the rostrum, the morphology of the notogastral and adanal setae, and the presence of two strong, triangular tubercles in basal part of the prodorsum and one tubercle opposite to interbothridial tubercle. Flagellozetes ( Cosmogalumna ) biornamentus n. sp. (Galumnidae) differs from all species of the genus in the presence of reticulate pattern of elongate triangular form in centrodorsal part of the notogaster and foveolate ornamentation between genital and anal plates.