Beanz defences meanz bacteria get evolutionary helping hand

Beanz defences meanz bacteria get evolutionary helping hand. Plants' attempts to defend themsleves against pathogens may have surprising side effect %0A " - Imperial College London press release Strictly embargoed for - 17.00 hours British Summer Time - (12.00 hours US Eastern Time) - Thursday 10 September 2009 Bean plants' natural defences against bacterial infections could be unwittingly driving the evolution of more highly pathogenic bacteria, according to new research published today (10 September) in . 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. The scientists from Imperial College London and the University of the West of England (UWE) focused on a bacterial pathogen called which causes a disease called halo blight in bean plants. Symptoms include brown spots on the leaves, surrounded by a yellow halo. The disease can cause bean plants to lose their leaves, wilt and die, and is a serious problem for farmers worldwide.