Potatos with the right antennae

Infection site of the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans on a leaf. The spreading pathogen hyphae are red-fluorescently labelled. Living leaf tissues are green, dead tissues are dark. Microscopic analysis of infection structures allows us to understand the lifestyles of different pathogens. All over the world, huge quantities of crop protection agents are sprayed to control potato blight ( Phytophthora infestans ). The mechanisms of resistance of potatoes need to be better understood to make growing this crop more sustainable. Researchers of Wageningen University & Research together with their colleagues in Tübingen and Norwich have now taken an important step.