UK: Cover crops help squash to beat their pathogens

When most of us think about crops, we think of our favorite grains and produce such as corn, tomatoes, and squash. However, after these "cash crops" are harvested, many farmers are encouraged to avoid leaving their fields bare. Instead, they plant "cover crops" to reduce erosion and help the soil retain nutrients, among other benefits. While cover crops ultimately improve the yields of cash crops through improved soil health, new research suggests that they might also protect them from disease. Pseudomonas syringae is a common bacterial pathogen that affects an array of important agricultural crops. Infections start on the leaf surface and spread through openings such as exposed wounds and pores. Farmers typically treat diseased plants with copper solutions, but some ...