{
  "id": 4690050,
  "title": "Protecting the peanut: Sensors help fend off fungus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/protecting-the-peanut-sensors-help-fend-off-fungus",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-31T18:20:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-peanut-sensors-fend-fungus.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Peanuts have been a vital cash crop in Virginia for centuries, but a fungal disease known as Sclerotinia blight has threatened its production in recent years. This disease can cause up to a 50% loss in yields if not detected and treated early. Researchers at Virginia Tech are working on a solution: low-cost sensors that can detect the early stages of the infection. These sensors, developed by doctoral candidate Frank Erukainure and his team, can identify the pathogen Sclerotinia minor in peanut plant sap as early as five days after infection, compared to symptoms that may not appear for two months. The sensors work by detecting high concentrations of oxalic acid, a chemical produced by the infected plants. While the sensor's capabilities have been validated in greenhouse tests, further field testing is required to determine its practical application on real farms. Researchers plan to pilot test the sensors with farmers in the Tidewater region of Virginia next year. The development of these sensors could significantly improve peanut crop management and sustainability by enabling early detection and timely intervention.",
  "summary": "Sweet, salty, crunchy or creamy—no matter how it's munched, the Virginia peanut has been a cash crop for the commonwealth for much of the past two centuries. But a fungal disease called Sclerotinia blight has decimated peanut plant populations in recent years, with severe outbreaks causing up to a 50% yield loss.",
  "key_points": [
    "Virginia Tech researchers develop low-cost sensors to detect Sclerotinia blight in peanuts.",
    "Sensors can identify Sclerotinia minor in plant sap five days after infection.",
    "Field testing planned for next year with Tidewater region farmers."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}