Phytobiomes Journal, published by The American Phytopathological Society, is pleased to announce the publication of its special Focus Issue on the Phytovirome, a critical exploration of the diversity, interactions, and impact of plant-associated viruses within phytobiomes. Developed under the leadership of former Editor-in-Chief Johan Leveau and published during the tenure of current Editor-in-Chief Étienne Yergeau, this issue sets a significant benchmark in the field of phytovirome research.
The issue, guided by esteemed Guest Editors Poliane Alfenas-Zerbini, Joanne B. Emerson, Sebastien Massart, Kerry E. Mauck, Shahideh Nouri, and Anna E. Whitfield, brings together 11 pioneering articles addressing both fundamental and translational aspects of phytovirome science. Topics covered include viral community ecology, virus transmission between plant hosts, insect-specific viruses, bacteriophages for biocontrol, and the discovery of new viruses as well as previously known viruses in novel host plants. This comprehensive body of work lays the foundation for leveraging phytovirome research to develop strategies for controlling plant-pathogenic viruses while utilizing beneficial viruses to improve plant health.
A key theme throughout this issue is the transformative role of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies, which have revolutionized the study of plant-associated viruses. HTS has enabled the discovery of a remarkable diversity of viruses in both wild and cultivated plant species. These viruses, which include plant and fungal viruses, bacteriophages, and other viral entities within the phytobiome, form complex communities that interact with their hosts in both pathogenic and beneficial ways, impacting plant health, ecosystem dynamics, and agricultural productivity.
This Focus Issue highlights Phytobiomes Journal’s continued commitment to supporting transdisciplinary research at the intersection of microbiology, virology, nutrient cycling, ecology, plant pathology, entomology, computational biology, and more. It underscores the journal’s dedication to fostering groundbreaking discoveries that bridge fundamental science with applied solutions, offering new insights for the advancement of sustainable agriculture.
All articles included in the Phytovirome Focus Issue are available open access. Researchers, plant pathologists, and agricultural professionals are encouraged to explore the insights presented in these cutting-edge articles and consider their applications for improving plant health and crop productivity.
For more information and to access the full issue, visit Phytobiomes Journal: https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/toc/pbiomes/9/1
About Phytobiomes Journal
Phytobiomes Journal is a gold open access journal that publishes original, transdisciplinary original research on organisms and communities interacting with plants in any ecosystem. It includes the fundamental to translational work of scientists in the areas of microbiology, virology, nutrient cycling, climate change, ecology, agronomy, entomology, computational biology, nematology, plant pathology, and more. Phytobiomes Journal is published by The American Phytopathological Society.
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