Beans' Defenses Mean Bacteria Get Evolutionary Helping Hand
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 21:28
in Biology & Nature
Bean plants' natural defenses against bacterial infections could be unwittingly driving the evolution of more highly pathogenic bacteria, according to new research. The study sheds new light on how bacterial pathogens evolve and adapt to stresses from host plants. This information could help researchers develop new ways of tackling pathogens that cause extensive and costly damage to beans and other food crops.