Welcome to another edition of the Robigalia Roundup!
If you’re new here, Robigalia is your weekly roundup of the latest research, researchers, scholarships, and opportunities in plant pathology globally. Make sure you’re a subscriber to have these opportunities and events delivered directly to your inbox every Monday.
NOTES FROM THE HOST
Plant pathology news
Hello {{first_name | Robigalia readers}},
Early last week, The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) launched a national initiative to provide Australian grain growers with knowledge, tools and strategies to combat some of the country's most damaging crop diseases.
The Soil-Borne Disease Initiative will coordinate research, diagnostics and extension across key grain-growing regions to better understand the pathogens driving yield loss, improve detection of soil-borne disease risk before sowing, and refine integrated management practices for crops such as wheat, barley, canola and pulses.
The initiative aims to strengthen the Australian grains industry’s ability to manage complex disease pressures through more targeted use of testing, resistant varieties, farming systems and chemical options.
While the initiative supports work already underway, it will also be used to launch new projects requiring plant pathologists. I will be sure to list any opportunities that come up!
Now, onto this week’s edition:
I highlight several articles on the use of cryopreservation for virus eradication
I introduce a postdoc from Lincoln University in New Zealand
I highlight two new jobs, and one new event
Let’s dive in!
PATHOGEN OF THE WEEK
Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV)
Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) is a member of the genus Caulimovirus, family Caulimoviridae, containing a non-enveloped, icosahedral particle with a circular double-stranded DNA genome that replicates via reverse transcription. It is transmitted in a semi‑persistent, non‑circulative manner by several aphid species, notably Myzus persicae, and is not mechanically seedborne in most hosts.
CaMV primarily infects Brassicaceae, including cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, canola/rapeseed, and many weedy crucifers such as shepherd’s purse and wild radish, which act as important virus reservoirs. Some experimental infections have been reported in other dicotyledonous families, but epidemiologically significant hosts are almost exclusively brassicas and associated brassicaceous weeds.
Cauliflower mosaic caused by CaMV. Image Credit: Bayer
Typical symptoms in susceptible brassicas include systemic mosaic, vein clearing, leaf malformation, and pronounced chlorotic or pale green mottling, often with characteristic “clear vein banding”. Plants sometimes exhibit stunting, reduced head formation in cauliflower and broccoli, and general loss of vigour, with severity strongly influenced by host genotype, virus strain and temperature.
CaMV is widely distributed in temperate and some subtropical cropping regions where brassica vegetables or oilseed brassicas are grown, including Europe, Asia, North and South America, and parts of Africa and Oceania. ts prevalence is closely associated with the presence of overwintering brassica crops and weeds, and with conditions that favour aphid population build‑up and movement.
There are no curative treatments, so management focuses on preventing virus introduction and spread through host and vector management. Strategies include use of tolerant or partially resistant cultivars where available, strict weed control of brassicaceous hosts in and around fields, spatial and temporal separation of crops, and removal of infected plants in high‑value seed or nursery production.
Aphid management relies on monitoring, targeted insecticide use, mineral oils, and cultural practices (e.g. barrier crops, timing of planting) recognising that non‑persistent and semi‑persistent transmission limits the effectiveness of systemic insecticides alone.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Progress on cryotherapy for virus eradication
Jing-Wei Li et al.,* Cryotherapy-Based Methods for Virus and Viroid Eradication in Horticultural Plants
Solomon Peter Wante et al., Assessing the efficacy of thermotherapy combined with chemotherapy or cryotherapy for the eradication of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3
Yanhong Zhang et al., Shoot tip vitrification cryopreservation and elimination of soybean mosaic virus (SMV) and cauliflower mosaic virus (CMV) from infected stocks of Pinellia Ternata (Thunb.) Breit
*Co-authored by Jean Carlos Bettoni, this week’s Plant Pathologist of the Week
PLANT PATHOLOGIST OF THE WEEK
Meet Jean Carlos Bettoni
This week, I’m pleased to introduce Dr. Jean Bettoni, a postdoc working at the Department of Wine, Food, and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Lincoln University in New Zealand.
Jean has experience in conserving plant genetic resources and producing healthy plant material. He has also been involved in scaling up cryopreservation and cryotherapy methods from proof-of-concept to practical implementation, including for virus eradication.
Jean obtained his Ph.D. in plant production from Santa Catarina State University, Brazil, with part of his research conducted at the USDA-ARS National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation (NLGRP) in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Following his PhD, he then went on to complete a postdoc at NLGRP, focusing on implementation of cryopreservation and virus eradication, and from 2020–23, and 2024–25, he worked as a scientist at Plant & Food Research, New Zealand. There, he focused on developing cryopreservation of horticultural crops, and virus and viroid eradication.
Now working as a postdoc at the Department of Wine, Food, and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Lincoln University in New Zealand, Jean’s working on disease-resistant plant material and sustainable viticulture, focusing on the conservation and effective use of plant genetic resources and on disease eradication.
Jean’s research has resulted in the publication of over 80 peer-reviewed articles/book chapters, and he serves as editorial board member in Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture and The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology.
Be sure to connect with Jean through LinkedIn, and also follow his research updates on ResearchGate.
OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS
New Scholarships
New new scholarships this week. Open opportunities are listed on the Scholarships Board 👇
New Jobs
Postdoc stipend on autophagy and autoimmunity in plants, The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden, Apply by 28 February 2026
Specialized Agricultural Laboratory Technician - Pathology & Pre-selection (Wheat/Soybeans), Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland, Apply ASAP
New Events/Seminars
5th European Conference on Xylella fastidiosa: science for sustainable management, Bari, Italy, 22 → 26 June 2026
Have a job, scholarship or event to advertise? List a scholarship, job, or event in Robigalia. I help you promote your opportunity or event to a global network of plant pathologists for free.
MEME OF THE WEEK
THAT’S A WRAP
Before you go, here are 3 ways we can help each other
Catch up on previous Robigalia interviews — Watch interviews with successful plant pathologists from around the world. New videos coming soon!
Book a coaching call — Whether it’s career advice, assistance with an application, or general advice, you can check my schedule to book time with me
Be featured in Robigalia — Every week, I introduce a plant pathologist in the Robigalia Roundups, and you can fill in your details to be featured.
See you next Monday!
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P.S. Why Robigalia? The name originates from the Ancient Roman festival dedicated to crop protection. You can read all about the history here: