faculty member

Phytopathology and Crop Protection

 Dr. Ofir Degani’s Research Group

Dr. Ofir Degani's group's research is based on molecular,  biochemical, and phytopathological approaches and focuses on the understanding and prevention of plant fungal diseases.  His group has been leading the research in Israel for the past decade on Magnaporthiopsis maydis, the agent of the late wilt of corn. Additional soil fungal diseases that are currently the focus of Dr. Degani’s lab research are Fusarium verticillioides, the causal agent of maize stalk rot, Macrophomina phaseolina, the causal agent of charcoal rot, and Fusarium spp., the causal agents of onion (Allium cepa) basal rot.

Current ongoing research topics:

• Study the “plant disease triangle” - the combined influence of the host plant, the fungal pathogen, and the environment on plant diseases and crop protection.
• Chemical protection (using seed treatments, spraying, and dripline irrigation) of maize and other crops against fungal pathogens.
• Develop biological approaches to protect crops from soil diseases. This includes the use of biocontrol agents (fungi and bacteria), strengthening soil mycorrhizal networks (the soil microbiome), manipulating the plants’ natural endophytes (the plant microbiome), and enhancing the plants’ natural defense system.
• Investigate the interactions between phytopathogenic fungi and their combined influence on crop disease burst and severity.

Maize late wilt disease research

Research plan and challenges

The growing trend of reducing pesticides’ use raises the need for alternative ways of coping with severe fungal diseases such as the late wilt of maize. Hence, we propose developing two environmentally friendly strategies to control maize late wilt disease, for which we have gained positive preliminary results. First, maintaining the continuity of soil mycorrhizal fungi between seasons has proven to be an essential factor in various field crops. Still, it has not yet been tested against the late wilt pathogen in Israel. The potential of strengthening soil mycorrhizal networks against the soil fungal pathogen has only now started to be revealed. The unique case of late wilt disease and the encouraging preliminary results provide an excellent opening stage and opportunity to investigate this control method. In order to do this, we will be required to:

• Repeat and establish the results using a greenhouse pot experiment over a full growth period
• Identify the mycorrhizal fungi involved
• Examine ways of strengthening the desired soil mycorrhizal networks
• Extend the research to field experiments

Similarly, in recent years we have conducted research with a new Trichoderma spp. isolates and achieved promising results. Consequently, we propose using the effective Trichoderma spp. or their extract in order to prevent the penetration and establishment of the M. maydis pathogen at the early growth period of maize. Thus we suggest using the late wilt controlling agents – Trichoderma isolates – and developing application methods to implement them. This goal will require several steps:

• Identifying the active compound/s in the Trichoderma extract
• Examining ways of enhancing the secretion of these ingredients
• Applying the Trichoderma hyphae or the extract and examining it in sprouts (up to the age of 40 days) under controlled conditions in a growth chamber
• Examining the Trichoderma (extract and hyphae) seed coating against direct application of the fungi or their section to the soil under field conditions over a full growth period

We are now specializing in two important and severe corp diseases: cotton charcoal rot, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, and onion (Allium cepa) basal rot caused by Fusarium sp. The challenges of developing efficient and cost-effective strategies to reduce the diseases’ damages include:

• Study these pathogens and their interactions with the host, under different environmental conditions.
• Undersending the involvement of other fungal phytopathogens in the diseases’ outburst and damages.
• Develop a new research tool-kit to study those diseases.
• Search for new ways (chemical, biological, and agro-mechanical) to restrict those diseases’ harmful effects and prevent their spreading.

Agronomy April 2019 cover page

Dr. Ofir Degani completed his Ph.D., specializing in genetic engineering approaches in phytopathology, at the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology (Haifa, Israel). Dr. Degani carried out his post-doctoral studies at the Migal–Galilee Research Institute (Israel) and is currently a research group director of the phytopathology laboratory at this institute and a senior staff member at Tel-Hai College (Israel). His research is based on molecular, biochemical, and phytopathological approaches, and focuses on understanding and preventing plant fungal diseases. His group has been leading the research in Israel for the past decade on Magnaporthiopsis maydis, the causal agent of late wilt of corn. Additional soil fungal diseases that are currently the focus of Dr. Degani’s lab research are Fusarium verticillioides, the causal agent of maize stalk rot, Macrophomina phaseolina, the causal agent of cotton charcoal rot, and Fusarium spp., the causal agent of onion (Allium cepa) basal rot.

The current research aims are to develop bio-friendly approaches to protect field crops from fungal pathogens and to study the interactions between phytopathogens.

Teaching in academic institutions

• 2001 - 2017 – Life of Plants, Ohalo College (Israel), undergraduate, 2 weekly hrs.
• 2001 - 2017 – Plant physiology, Ohalo College (Israel), undergraduate, 2 weekly hrs.
• 2012 - 2016 – Evolution, Ohalo College (Israel), undergraduate, 2 weekly hrs.
• 2012 - 2016 – Molecular biology, Ohalo College (Israel), undergraduate, 2 weekly hrs.
• 2012 - 2017 – Botany, Ohalo College (Israel), undergraduate, 2 weekly hrs.
• 2013 - 2017 – Scientific Excursions, Ohalo College (Israel), undergraduate, 2 weekly hrs.
• 2008 - Today – Practice in Computational Biochemistry, Tel-Hai College (Israel), undergraduate, 2 weekly hrs.
• 2008 - Today – Biochemistry Lab, Tel-Hai College (Israel), undergraduate, 4 weekly hrs.
• 2008 - Today – Experimental Design, Tel-Hai College (Israel), undergraduate, 2 weekly hrs.

Awards and Fellowships

1. 1998 - 2001 – Sc. full fellowship scholarship, Migal - Galilee Research Institute.
2. 2001 - 2005 – Ph.D. full fellowship scholarship, Technion Institute of Technology (Israel).
3. 2003 – D. student award for outstanding teaching, Faculty of Biology, Technion Institute of Technology (Israel).
4. 2004 – Ph.D. student award for outstanding research, Faculty of Biology, Technion Institute of Technology (Israel).
5. 2005 – Travel grant, the Fungal Genetics Conference organizing committee, the BARD workshop organizing committee, and the Israel Society for Microbiology for participation in the Asilomar, 2005 and BARD workshop, 2005 conferences.
6. 2015, 2018 - 2021 -2022 – Excellence in Research Acknowledgment. Tel-Hai College (Israel).
7. 2016 – 2019, 2021-2022 – Staff member Excellency Acknowledgment. Tel-Hai College (Israel).
8. 2021 – Certificate of appreciation for publishing the highest number of articles in the Faculty of Science in 2021. Tel-Hai College (Israel).

Research Grants

1. 2006 - 2012 – (1) Understanding fungicide activity and resistance regulation through fungal signaling pathways. (2) Involvement of Harpophora maydis in causing late wilt disease in corn – diagnosis and control – Ohalo academic college – 27,000 NIS (leading scientist).
2. 2007 – Diagnosis and control of maize late wilt disease – Israel Northern R&D - 25,000 NIS (leading scientist).
3. 2008 – Involvement of the fungus Harpophora maydis in causing late wilt disease in sweet corn: characterizing the course of the disease and finding ways to control it – The Jewish National Fund, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – 50,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Benjamin A Horwitz, Dr. Doron Goldberg, and Mr. Shaul Graph.
4. 2009 – Harpophora maydis wilt of corn: Characterization of the disease cycle and development of protection and control – Israel Plant Council, Ministry of Agriculture – 35,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Benjamin A Horwitz, Dr. Doron Goldberg, Dr. Efraim Zuckerman, and Mr. Shaul Graph.
5. 2010 – Harpophora maydis wilt of corn: Characterization of the disease cycle and development of protection and control – Israel Plant Council, Ministry of Agriculture – 35,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Efraim Zuckerman and Mr. Shaul Graph.
6. 2011 – Harpophora maydis wilt of corn: Characterization of the disease cycle and development of protection and control – Israel Plant Council, Ministry of Agriculture – 15,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Shaul Graph.
7. 2011 – Experiments in eradicating the late dehydration disease in corn – Israel Plant Council, Ministry of Agriculture – 25,000 NIS – collaborators: Tsafrir Weinberg, Mr. Shaul Graph, and Dr. Onn Rabinovitz.
8. 2012 – Harpophora maydis wilt of corn: Characterization of the disease cycle and development of protection and control – The Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael) – 25,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Shaul Graph.
9. 2013 – Involvement of Harpophora maydis in sweet corn wilt disease: characterizing the disease course and developing ways to eradicate it – Israel Northern R&D – 40,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Shaul Graph.
10. 2014 – Ambient Stresses influence on the development of the maize late wilt Causing agent, Harpophora maydis – Israel Northern R&D – 20,000 NIS (leading scientist).
11. 2015 - 2017 – Protection and control against Harpophora maydis, the causing agent of maize late wilt – Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Chief Scientist – 420,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Dr. Mery Dafny Yelin and Mr. Shaul Graph.
12. 2017 – Biological control against Harpophora maydis, the maize Late-wilt disease causal agent – Migal – Galilee Research Institute – 45,000 NIS (leading scientist).
13. 2017 – Improved chemical control against the cause of late wilt in corn– Netafim Ltd. Israel – 8,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Onn Rabinovitz and Mr. Shaul Graph.
14. 2018 – Thermal detection and chemical control of the maize late wilt causing agent, Harpophora maydis – Israel Organization of extensive cultivation – 25,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Dr. Moshe Meron, Dr. Assaf Chen and Mr. Shaul Graph.
15. 2018 – Interactions between Magnaporthiopsis maydisand Macrophomina phaseolina, the Causes of Wilt Diseases in Maize and Cotton – Israel Council for Cotton Production and Marketing Ltd. – 17,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Roni Cohen and Mr. Shaul Graph.
16. 2018 – Biological control against Harpophora maydis, the maize Late-wilt disease causal agent – Migal – Galilee Research Institute – 140,000 NIS (leading scientist).
17. 2018 – Biological control of pests and diseases in cannabis – Migal – Galilee Research Institute – 90,000 NIS – collaborators: Haim Reuveni and Dr. Chen Katz.
18. 2018 – Characterization of the profile of volatiles from the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant in response to environmental stress – Migal – Galilee Research Institute – 90,000 NIS – collaborators: Haim Reuveni, Dr. Soliman Khatib, and Prof. Jacob Vaya.
19. 2018 – Isolation and Identification of Fusarium, the Causal Agents of Onion (Allium cepa) Basal Rot in Northeastern Israel – Israel Plant Council, Ministry of Agriculture – 41,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Mr. Shaul Graph.
20. 2019 – Interactions between Magnaporthiopsis maydisand Macrophomina phaseolina, the Causes of Wilt Diseases in Maize and Cotton – Israel Council for Cotton Production and Marketing Ltd. – 15,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Roni Cohen.
21. 2019 – The presence of Harpophora maydis in fodder maize, its interaction with other endophytes in the plant, and its effect on the nutritional value of the corn silage – Israel Organization of extensive cultivation – 25,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Assaf Chen and Dr. Onn Rabinovitz.
22. 2019 – Isolation, characterization, and control of Fusarium spp. sp. cepae, the cause of the onion basal plate rot, in northern Israel – Israel Plant Council, Ministry of Agriculture – 8,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Mr. Shaul Graph.
23. 2019 – 2021 – Using remote sensing tools for the early detection and prevention of soil-borne diseases in field crops, while reducing amounts of pesticides and increasing yield – Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Chief Scientist – 450,000 NIS (partial share 82,000 NIS) – collaborators: Dr. Assaf Chen and Dr. Mery Dafny Yelin. 
24. 2020 – Isolation and identification of active ingredient against Magnaporthiopsis maydis, the maize Late-wilt disease causal agent – ICA – Migal accelerator, Israel – 100,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Soliman Khatib. 
25. 2020 – Biological control of Macrophomina phaseolina, the cotton charcoal rot disease causal agent – Israel Council for Cotton Production and Marketing Ltd. – 20,000 NIS (leading scientist). 
26. 2020 – Eco-friendly control against corn late wilt by strengthening the soil mycorrhizal networks – Tel-Hai College, Israel, Science Relations Foundation – 20,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Hagai Shemesh and Dr. Onn Rabinovitz. 
27. 2020 – Chemical control of Fusarium, the Causal Agents of Onion (Allium cepa) Basal Rot – Israel Plant Council, Ministry of Agriculture – 10,500 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Mr. Shaul Graph and Mr. Elyahu Margalit. 
28. 2021 – Purification and identification of Trichoderma asperellum secreted ingredients with antifungal activity against Magnaporthiopsis maydis, the maize late-wilt disease causal agent – Migal – Galilee Research Institute – 40,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Soliman Khatib. 
29. 2021 – Cultivars' resistance assay for maize late wilt disease – CTS Group – 14,000 NIS (leading scientist). 
30. 2021 – Chemical control of Fusarium, the Causal Agents of Onion (Allium cepa) Basal Rot – Israel Plant Council, Ministry of Agriculture – 18,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Mr. Shaul Graph and Mr, Elyahu Margalit. 
31. 2022 – Combined biological-chemical pesticide to prevent late wilt in corn – Israel Organization of extensive cultivation – 20,000 NIS (leading scientist) –collaborators: Onn Rabinovitz. 
32. 2022 – Isolation and Identification of Fusarium, the Causal Agents of Onion (Allium cepa) Basal Rot in Northeastern Israel – Israel Plant Council, Ministry of Agriculture – 17,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Mr. Shaul Graph and Mr. Elyahu Margalit. 
33. 2022 – Isolation and Identification of apple fruits fungal pathogens – Israel Plant Council, Fruit Branch, Ministry of Agriculture – 7,000 NIS –collaborators: Dr. Shaul Naschitz. 
34. 2022 – Development of an eco-friendly pesticide interface, based on Trichoderma fungi, against the cause of cotton charcoal rot – Israel Council for Cotton Production and Marketing Ltd. – 55,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Onn Rabinovitz. 
35. 2022 – Developing an Azoxystrobin slow-release clay carrier for eco-friendly control of corn late wilt disease – Tel-Hai College, Israel, Science Relations Foundation – 20,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Giora Rytwo. 
36. 2023 – The process of the formation of Alternaria black spot disease in stored persimmons and its prevention through treatments with antioxidants – Tel-Hai College, Israel, Science Relations Foundation – 20,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Shaul Naschitz, Prof. Soliman Khatib, Prof. Dov Prusky.
37. 2023 – Developing an Azoxystrobin slow-release clay carrier for eco-friendly control of corn late wilt disease – ICA Israel (Jewish Colonization Association) – 25,000 $ (leading scientist) – collaborators: Giora Rytwo.
38. 2023 – Developing an Azoxystrobin slow-release clay carrier for eco-friendly control of corn late wilt disease – Migal – Galilee Research Institute – 100,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Giora Rytwo.
39. 2023 – Biological enrichment of fodder corn seeds against the late wilt disease – Israel Council for Cotton Production and Marketing Ltd. – 20,000 NIS (leading scientist) – collaborators: Onn Rabinovitz and Mr. Yoav Golan.

Articles in refereed journals

1. Degani, O., Gepstein, S. and Dosoretz, C. G., Potential use of cutinase in enzymatic scouring of cotton fiber cuticle. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. (2002), 102-103, 277-89. (Free full-text Link).
2. Degani, O., Gepstein, S. and Dosoretz, C. G., A new method for measuring scouring efficiency of natural fibers based on the cellulose-binding domain-beta-glucuronidase fused protein. Journal of Biotechnology. (2004), 107, 265-73. (Free full-text link).
3. Degani, O., Maor, R., Hadar, R., Sharon, A. and Horwitz, B. A., Host physiology and pathogenic variation of Cochliobolus heterostrophus strains with mutations in the G protein alpha subunit, CGA1. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. (2004), 70, 5005-5009. (Free full-text link).
4. Degani, O., Salman, H, Gepstein, S, and Dosoretz, C. G., Synthesis and characterization of a new cutinase substrate, 4-nitrophenyl (16-methyl sulfone ester) hexadecanoate. Journal of Biotechnology. (2006), 10, 121(3), 346-50. (Free full-text link).
5. Igbaria A., Lev S., Rose M. S, Lee B. N., Hadar R., Degani O. and Horwitz B. A., Distinct and combined roles of the MAP kinases of Cochliobolus heterostrophus in virulence and stress responses, Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. (2008), 21 (6), 769-80. (Free full-text link).
6. Drori R., Goldberg D., Rabinovitz O., Sharon A., Levy M., and Degani O.*, Molecular diagnostic for Harpophora maydis, the cause of late wilt disease in northern Israel. Phytopathologia Mediterranea. (2013), 52 (1), 16−29. (Free full-text link).
7. Degani, O.*, Cochliobolus heterostrophus G-protein alpha and beta subunit double mutant reveals shared and distinct roles in development and virulence, Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. (2013), 82, 35-45. (Free full-text link).
8. Degani, O.*, Lev, S. and Ronen M., Hydrophobin gene expression in the maize pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus, Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. (2013), 83, 25-34 (Free full-text link).
9. Degani, O., Construction of a constitutively activated Gα mutant in the maize pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus. American Journal of Plant Sciences. (2013), 4 (12), 2394-2399. (Free full-text link).
10. Degani, O.* and Cernica, G., Diagnosis and Control of Harpophora maydis, the Cause of Late Wilt in Maize. Advances in Microbiology (2014), 4 (2), 94-105. (Free full-text link).
11. Degani, O., Gene expression modulation of two biosynthesis pathways via signal transduction in Cochliobolus heterostrophus. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology (2014), 5 (4), 340-352. (Free full-text link).
12. Degani, O., G protein and MAPK signaling pathways control the ability of Cochliobolus heterostrophus to exploit different carbon sources. Advances in Biological Chemistry (2014), 4 (1), 40-50. (Free full-text link).
13. Degani, O.*, Weinberg^, T. and Graph, S., Chemical control of maize late wilt in the field. Phytoparasitica (2014), 42 (4), 559-570. (Free full-text link).
14. Degani, O., Pathogenicity Assay for Cochliobolus heterostrophus G-Protein and MAPK Signaling Deficiency Strains. American Journal of Plant Sciences (2014), 5 (9), 1318-1328. (Free full-text link).
15. Degani, O.* and Goldblat Y., Ambient Stresses Regulate the Development of the Maize Late Wilt Causing Agent, Harpophora maydis. Agricultural Sciences (2014), 5 (7), 571-582. (Free full-text link).
16. Degani, O., Mediation of Fungicide Fludioxonil Activity and Resistance through Cochliobolus heterostrophus G-protein and MAPK Signaling Pathways. Phytoparasitica (2015), 43 (2), 215-228. (Free full-text link).
17. Degani, O.*,  Drori R. and Goldblat Y., Plant growth hormones suppress the development of Harpophora maydis, the cause of late wilt in maize. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants (2015), 21 (1), 137-149. (Free full-text link).
18. Degani, O., Production and purification of cutinase from Fusarium oxysporum using modified growth media and specificity cutinase substrate. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology (2015), 6 (4), 245-258. (Free full-text link).
19. Degani, O., Cochliobolus heterostrophus T-toxin gene expression modulation via G protein and MAPK pathways. Plant Protection Science (2015), 51 (2), 53–60. (Free full-text link).
20. Degani O.*, Dor S., Movshowitz D., Fraidman E., Rabinowitz O., and Graph S., Effective chemical protection against the maize late wilt causal agent, Harpophora maydis, in the field. PloS ONE (2018), 13 (12), e0208353 (Free full text link).
21. Degani O.*, Movshowitz D., Dor S., Meerson A., Goldblat Y., and Rabinovitz O. Evaluating Azoxystrobin seed coating against maize late wilt disease using a sensitive qPCR-based method. Plant Disease (2019), 103 (2) 238-248. (Free full-text Link).
22. Degani O.*, Dor S., Movshovitz D. and Rabinovitz O., Methods for Studying Magnaporthiopsis maydis, the Maize Late Wilt Causal Agent. Agronomy (2019), 9 (4), 181. (Free full-text link).
23. Dor S. and Degani O.*, Uncovering the host range for maize pathogen Magnaporthiopsis maydis. Plants (2019), 8 (8), 259. (Free full-text link).
24. Degani, O. *, Dor, S., Abraham, D., Cohen, R. Interactions between Magnaporthiopsis maydis and Macrophomina phaseolina, the causes of wilt diseases in maize and cotton. Microorganisms (2020), 8, 249. (Free full-text link).
25. Kalman, B., Abraham, D., Graph, S., Perl-Treves, R., Meller Harel, Y., and Degani, O. *, Isolation and Identification of Fusarium spp., the causal agents of onion (Allium cepa) basal rot in northeastern Israel. Biology (2020), 9, 69. (Free full-text link). Editor’s choice.
26. Degani, O. *, Dor, S., Chen, A., Orlov-Levin, V., Stolov-Yosef, A., Regev, D., and Rabinovitz, O. Molecular tracking and remote sensing to evaluate new chemical treatments against the maize late wilt disease causal agent, Magnaporthiopsis maydis. Journal of Fungi (2020), 6, 54. (Free full-text link).
27. Degani, O. * and Goldblat, Y. Potential role of laccases in the relationship of the maize late wilt causal agent, Magnaporthiopsis maydis, and its host. Journal of Fungi (2020), 6, 63. (Free full-text link).
28. Degani O.*, Regev D., and Dor S., and, Rabinowitz O., Soil bioassay for detecting Magnaporthiopsis maydis infestation using a hyper susceptible maize hybrid. Journal of Fungi (2020), 6, 107. (Free full-text link).
29. Degani O., Synergism between Cutinase and Pectinase in the Hydrolysis of Cotton Fibers’ Cuticle. Catalysts (2021), 11, 84. (Free full-text link).
30. Degani, O. * and Kalman, B., Assessment of Commercial Fungicides against Onion (Allium cepa) Basal Rot Disease Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae and Fusarium acutatum. Journal of Fungi (2021), 7, 235. (Free full-text link).
31. Degani, O. * and Dor S., Trichoderma Biological Control to Protect Sensitive Maize Hybrids against Late Wilt Disease in the Field. Journal of Fungi (2021), 7, 315. (Free full-text link).
32. Degani, O. *, Regev, D., and Dor, S., The Microflora of Maize Grains as a Biological Barrier against the Late Wilt Causal Agent, Magnaporthiopsis maydis. Agronomy (2021), 11, 965. (Free full-text link).
33. Degani, O. *, Rabinovitz O, Becher P, Gordani A and Chen A. Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Trichoderma asperellum Confer Growth Promotion and Protection against Late Wilt Disease in the Field. Journal of Fungi (2021), 7, 444. (Free full-text link).
34. Chen A., Jacob M., Shoshani G., Dafny-Yelin M., Degani O., and Rabinovitz O. Early detection of soil-borne diseases in field crops via remote sensing. Precision agriculture ’21 (2021), Editor John V. Stafford. 217 – 224. (Link).
35. Degani, O. *, Gordani A., Becher P. and Dor, S. Crop Cycle and Soil Cultivation Role in the Outbreak of Late Wilt Disease of Maize, caused by Magnaporthiopsis maydis.  Journal of Fungi (2021), 7, 706. (Free full-text link).
36. Degani, O. *, Khatib, S., Becher, P., Gordani, A., and Harris, R. Trichoderma asperellum Secreted 6-Pentyl-α-Pyrone to Control Magnaporthiopsis maydis, the Maize Late Wilt Disease Agent. Biology (2021), 10, 897. (Free full-text link).
37. Degani O. A Review: Late Wilt of Maize—The Pathogen, the Disease, Current Status and Future Perspective. Journal of Fungi (2021), 7 (11), 989. (Free full-text link).
38. Degani, O. Control Strategies to Cope with Late Wilt of Maize. Pathogens (2022), 11, 13. (Free full-text link).
39. Degani, O. *, Chen, A., Dor, S. Orlov-Levin, V., Jacob M., Shoshani G. and Rabinovitz O. Remote evaluation of maize cultivars susceptibility to late wilt disease caused by Magnaporthiopsis maydis. Journal of Plant Pathology (2022). (Free full-text link).
40. Degani, O. *, Becher P., Gordani A. Pathogenic interactions between Macrophomina phaseolina and Magnaporthiopsis maydis in mutually infected cotton sprouts. Agriculture (2022), 12 (2), 255. (Free full-text link).
41. Degani, O. *, Gordani, A.; Becher, P.; Chen, A.; Rabinovitz, O. Crop Rotation and Minimal Tillage Selectively Affect Maize Growth Promotion under Late Wilt Disease Stress. Journal of Fungi (2022), 8(6):586. (Free full-text link).
42. Degani, O. * and Gordani, A. New Antifungal Compound, 6-Pentyl-α-Pyrone, against the Maize Late Wilt Pathogen, Magnaporthiopsis maydis. Agronomy (2022), 12 (10), 2339. (Free full-text link).
43. Shofman G., Bahouth M. and Degani, O. *. Aggressive strains of the late wilt fungus of corn exist in Israel in mixed populations and can specialize in disrupting growth or plant health. Fungal Biology (2022), 126(11-12), 793-808. (Link).
44. Degani, O. *, Elhanan D., Margalit E. and Graph S. Prevention and control of Fusarium spp. cepae, The Causal Agent of Onion (Allium cepa) Basal Rot. Horticulturae (2022), 8 (11), 1071. (Free full-text link).
45. Degani, O. *, Yifa R., Chen, A., Gordani A., and Becher P. Cultivars resistance assay for maize late wilt disease. Biology (2022), 11(12), 1854. (Free full-text link).
46. Gordani A., Hijazi B., Dimant E., and Degani, O. * Integrated Biological and Chemical Control Against the Maize Late Wilt Agent Magnaporthiopsis maydis. Soil Systems (2023), 7(1), 1. (Free full-text-link).

* Corresponding author

Articles or chapters in refereed books

1. Degani, O., Accurate virulence test method for Cochliobolus heterostrophus wild-type and mutant strains in the post-genomic era. In Pathogenicity of Cochliobolus Species in Post Genomic Era. 1^st Bengyella L. and Devi Waikhom S. (Eds.). Stadium Press LLC, Texas, USA, (2017) Chapter 4, 92-111.
2. Degani O. A Green Solution to Maize Late Wilt Disease. In Trichoderma: Taxonomy, Biodiversity and Applications. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. (2023) in press.
3. Degani O. Late Wilt of Maize—The Pathogen, the Disease, Current Status, and Future Perspective. In “Plant-Pathogen Interaction” [Dr(s) Praveen Kumar Verma, Sonal Mishra, Vikas Srivastava & Shakti Mehrotra  (Eds). Springer Nature Publishers. Switzerland. (2023) under review.

Articles in non-refereed journals

1. Degani O, Harpophora maydis in wilt of sweet corn: Characterization of the disease cycle and development of protection and control, Yevul-Si, The Journal of Israel Advance Agriculture, Special publication of the Northern R&D. (2008) The article is in Hebrew.
2. Degani O., Maize late wilt disease - background and new findings, Sade Vayerek, The professional magazine of Israel Vegetable Growers Organization. (2009), 10, 51-52. The article is in Hebrew. (Full-text link).
3. Degani O., Late wilt of corn, pathogenesis and Nir Vatelem, The professional magazine of Israel Extensive Cultivation Organization. (2011), 32, 10-13, Article is in Hebrew.) Free full-text link).
4. Degani O., Inquiry vs research, Gifted, outstanding students and knowledge seekers (M.M.CH) Journal of the Division for gifted and talented students, Israel Ministry of education, February, (2013). The article is in Hebrew. (Free full-text Link).
5. Degani O., A molecular assay for Harpophora maydis, the cause of maize late wilt disease. Nir Vatelem, The professional magazine of Israel Extensive Cultivation Organization. (2013), 49, 24-31. The article is in Hebrew. (Free full-text link).
6. Degani O.*, Goldblat and Cohen S., Environmental conditions regulate the development of the maize late wilt causal agent, Harpophora maydis. Nir Vatelem, The professional magazine of Israel Extensive Cultivation Organization. (2015), 57, 24-30. The article is in Hebrew. (Free full-text Link).
7. Degani O.*, Drori R., Goldblat and Dor S., Plant hormones regulate the development Harpophora maydis, the maize late wilt-causing agent. Nir Vatelem, The professional magazine of Israel Extensive Cultivation Organization. (2017), 71, 15-24. The article is in Hebrew. (Free full-text Link).
8. Degani O.*, Dor S., Movshovitz D., Fraidman, Rabinowitz O., Assaf Chen and Graph S., An economical solution for the late wilt disease of corn, Sade Vayerek, The professional magazine of Israel Vegetable Growers Organization. (2019), 324, 56-66. The article is in Hebrew. Free full-text link).
9. Degani O., Economical Solution for Late Wilt Disease of Corn, IsraelAgri.com, Israeli Agriculture International Portal. (04 March 2019). (Full-text link).
10. Degani O.*, Dor S., The secret life of the Maize Pathogen Magnaporthiopsis maydis. Sade Vayerek, The professional magazine of Israel Vegetable Growers Organization. (2019), 329, 42-45. The article is in Hebrew. (Full-text link).
11. Degani O., The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend – a Green Solution to Late Wilt Disease of Maize. Mews Masove, (2021), in press. The article is in Hebrew.
12. Degani O., How to promote gifted children. Al Hazafon, September (2021), 21, The article is in Hebrew. (Full-text link).
13. Degani O., Topic review: Strategies to Cope with Late Wilt of Maize. In: Encyclopedia platform (MDPI), Subjects: Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science. (2022). (Full-text link).
14. Degani O., A Green Solution to Maize Late Wilt Disease.com, Israeli Agriculture International Portal. 28 March (2022) (Full-text link). *

 * Corresponding author

Articles in preparation

1. 1. Degani, O. *, Becher P., Gordani A. Real-Time PCR Early detection of Trichoderma treatments efficiency against the Cotton Charcoal Rot Disease. Journal of Natural Pesticide Research (2022), Under review.

   * Corresponding author

Publications in Israel's national media (in Hebrew)

1. Ynet,02.2019, פריצת דרך: הסוף למחלת הנבילה המאוחרת בתירס, https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5458256,00.html
2. Ynet,10.2019, לא רק תירס: הפטרייה שתוקפת עוד גידולים חקלאיים, https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5610925,00.html
3. Ynet,05.2021, נמצא פתרון ירוק למחלת התייבשות קשה בתירס, https://www.ynet.co.il/article/S1kHNqDOu

MIGAL Researcher home page - https://www.migal.org.il/en/Ofir-Degani

ResearchGate Profile - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ofir-Degani

Google Scholar Profile - https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Yi8kc5QAAAAJ&hl=en

Linkedin Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofir-degani-94265363