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Open research questions in Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens

153 gap statements mined from Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 572 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

Choosing where to publish on Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens? See the ranked Biology journals.

What the literature leaves open

  • The study identifies challenges in predicting the potential suitable distribution of the virus, including the need for reliable occurrence records and the impact of climate change. The paper notes that the model's performance may be affected by the quality of the input data.

    Predicting the Potential Suitable Distribution of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus in China Using a BIOMOD2 Ensemble Model · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to predict the potential suitable distribution of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus in China. The study identifies a gap in the understanding of the virus's spread and its impact on tomato production and seedling trade.

    Predicting the Potential Suitable Distribution of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus in China Using a BIOMOD2 Ensemble Model · 2026 · DOI

  • Lack of effective control methods for D. citri. Limited understanding of the insecticidal mechanism of coumarin compounds. Need to investigate the role of chemosensory genes in the defense response of D. citri.

    Insecticidal Activity and Mechanism of 7-Methylcoumarin Against Diaphorina citri Reveal the Role of Chemosensory Genes in Defense Response · 2026 · DOI

  • The genetic basis of S. glutinosa's resistance to HLB is unknown. Prior studies have not provided a comprehensive understanding of the genomic features associated with HLB resistance.

    The haplotype-resolved genome of Swinglea glutinosa and pangenome analysis provide insight into resistance to citrus Huanglongbing · 2026 · DOI

  • The vector in the case of CaAp detection in onions is unknown, - The study only considered one location in Germany, - The study did not investigate other potential hosts of P.

    Carrot (Daucus carota L.) as Host for Pentastiridius leporinus and Phloem-Restricted Pathogens in Germany · 2025 · DOI

  • The lack of effective containment strategies for Xf despite its significant economic and environmental impact. The need for novel and environmentally friendly control methods. The limited understanding of the molecular mechanism of DSF-mediated signalling in Xf.

    Diffusible Signal Factors and Xylella fastidiosa: A Crucial Mechanism Yet to Be Revealed · 2025 · DOI

  • The study seeks to address this gap by analyzing the genome of strain GOE. The paper also identifies a need to understand the heterogeneity of stolbur phytoplasmas.

    The 16SrXII-P Phytoplasma GOE Is Separated from Other Stolbur Phytoplasmas by Key Genomic Features · 2025 · DOI

  • The molecular mechanisms of SDE2470 in CLas pathogenesis are not fully understood. The role of CsVOZ2 in citrus immunity against CLas is unknown. The interaction between SDE2470 and host plant factors in promoting CLas infection is not well characterized.

    A ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ effector SDE2470 facilitates citrus transcription factor CsVOZ2 degradation via BRUTUS E3 ligases · 2025 · DOI

  • The inability to culture CLas solely in vitro limits the study of its pathogenesis. The lack of efficient HLB management strategies in HLB endemic regions. The complexity of the interaction between citrus and CLas.

    SDE19, a SEC-dependent effector from ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ suppresses plant immunity and targets Citrus sinensis Sec12 to interfere with vesicle trafficking · 2024 · DOI

  • Current vector control strategies yield inconsistent results in terms of reduction of bacterial spread, and alternative control tools are urgently needed.

    RNAi-mediated gene silencing reduces survival and Xylella fastidiosa load in the insect vector Philaenus spumarius · 2026 · DOI

  • However, the extent to which the vibroscape influences pest-plant interactions remains poorly understood.

    Impact of the vibroscape on spittlebug–plant interaction · 2026 · DOI

  • WRKY transcription factors are known to play vital roles in plant defense against herbivores; however, their specific function in citrus resistance to ACP remains unexplored.

    CsWRKY40 enhances citrus resistance to Asian citrus psyllid by promoting CsUGT89B1 ‐mediated quercetin‐3‐O‐glucoside biosynthesis · 2026 · DOI

  • However, CLas-host interactions in newly developing shoots remain poorly understood.

    Anatomical and dual transcriptomic analysis reveals the interaction of “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” and citrus host in new shoots at different growth stage · 2025 · DOI

  • However, how phytoplasmas diversify and maintain these effectors in the absence of frequent genetic exchange remains unclear.

    Effector innovation in genome-reduced phytoplasmas and other host-dependent mollicutes · 2025 · DOI

  • Despite the growing knowledge on virus-vector interactions, our understanding of the molecular interactions between BCTV and BLH is hampered by limited information regarding the virus impact on the vector and the lack of genomic and transcriptomic resources for BLH.

    Beet curly top virus affects vector biology: the first transcriptome analysis of the beet leafhopper · 2024 · DOI

  • In-depth insights into region-level spatio-temporal dynamics of insect vector migration can be used to forecast plant virus outbreaks in agricultural landscapes; yet, it is often poorly understood.

    Timing matters: remotely sensed vegetation greenness can predict insect vector migration and therefore outbreaks of curly top disease · 2024 · DOI

  • The variability was not consistently associated with biological or epidemiological traits of FDp strains, - The functional relevance of the variability remains…

    Putative Effector Genes Reveal Hidden Genetic Diversity Beyond Conventional Typing Markers in Flavescence Dorée Phytoplasmas · 2026 · DOI

  • Further functional investigation of the possible role in host or vector interactions, - Investigation of the relationship between genetic diversity and biological or epidemiological traits of FDp…

    Putative Effector Genes Reveal Hidden Genetic Diversity Beyond Conventional Typing Markers in Flavescence Dorée Phytoplasmas · 2026 · DOI

  • Examining non-target soil fauna - Investigating the effects of abamectin on other organisms - Studying the distribution of residues within plant…

    Non-Target Arthropod Community Variation Associated with Abamectin Trunk-Injection History in a Pinus massoniana Plantation · 2026 · DOI

  • Further investigation of the role of chemosensory genes in the defense response of D.

    Insecticidal Activity and Mechanism of 7-Methylcoumarin Against Diaphorina citri Reveal the Role of Chemosensory Genes in Defense Response · 2026 · DOI

  • Future functional studies of HLB resistance mechanisms, - Informing citrus breeding…

    The haplotype-resolved genome of Swinglea glutinosa and pangenome analysis provide insight into resistance to citrus Huanglongbing · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigating the vector of CaAp in onions, - Studying the potential of P. leporinus to transmit phloem-restricted pathogens to other crops, - Examining the population dynamics of P.

    Carrot (Daucus carota L.) as Host for Pentastiridius leporinus and Phloem-Restricted Pathogens in Germany · 2025 · DOI

  • Explore wild germplasms and citrus-relative species to improve HLB tolerance in citrus cultivars - Apply modern biotechnological approaches, including transgenesis and genome editing through…

    Huanglongbing as a Persistent Threat to Citriculture in Latin America · 2025 · DOI

  • Develop more stable QQ enzymes through research and encapsulation techniques, - Create highly specific enzymes for Xf, - Identify the most effective delivery systems for QQ enzymes in agricultural…

    Diffusible Signal Factors and Xylella fastidiosa: A Crucial Mechanism Yet to Be Revealed · 2025 · DOI

  • Further investigation of the relationship between AOX and QDH, - Exploration of the role of endophytes in Xf-infection, - Development of functional markers…

    Transcriptome Analyses in Adult Olive Trees Indicate Acetaldehyde Release and Cyanide-Mediated Respiration Traits as Critical for Tolerance against Xylella fastidiosa and Suggest AOX Gene Family as Marker for Multiple-Resilience · 2024 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens

Most recent work

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) There is a need to predict the potential suitable distribution of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus in China (“Predicting the Potential Suitable Distribution of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit…”, 2026); (2) The genetic basis of S. glutinosa's resistance to HLB is unknown (“The haplotype-resolved genome of Swinglea glutinosa and pangenome analysis…”, 2026); (3) The extent to which the vibroscape influences pest-plant interactions remains poorly understood (“Impact of the vibroscape on spittlebug–plant interaction”, 2026); (4) WRKY transcription factors are known to play vital roles in plant defense against herbivores; however, their specific function in citrus resistance to ACP remains unexplored (“CsWRKY40 enhances citrus resistance to Asian citrus psyllid by promoting…”, 2026); (5) The vector in the case of CaAp detection in onions is unknown, - The study only considered one location in Germany, - The study did not investigate other potential hosts of P (“Carrot (Daucus carota L.) as Host for Pentastiridius leporinus and…”, 2025). 153 gap statements have been mined from Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 572 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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