The role of soil-borne fungi in driving the coexistence of Pinus massoniana and Lithocarpus glaber in a subtropical forest via plant-soil feedback

Aims Plant–soil feedback(PSF)is a key mechanism that can facilitate tree species coexistence and diversity.Substantial evidence suggests that species-specific soil-borne pathogens around adult trees limit the performance of home(conspecific)seedlings relative to foreign(heterospecific)seedlings.However,the underlying mechanism remains largely elusive.Methods Here,we conducted a reciprocal transplant pot experiment using seedlings and from two tree species,Pinus massoniana and Lithocarpus glaber that are dominant and coexist in a subtropical,evergreen,broad-leaf forest in Gutianshan,Zhejiang Province of eastern China.We examined how seedlings from the two tree species responded to soils originating from underneath their own versus the other tree species,using a full-factorial design.Additionally,we added a fungicide(benomyl)to half of the pots to evaluate the role of soil-borne fungi on seedling growth.Important Findings We found that the seedlings from L.glaber grew better in soils that were collected from beneath the canopy of P.massoniana,while seedling growth of P.massioniana was not affected by soil origin.The addition of fungicide benomyl resulted in a shift towards more positive PSF effects for L.glaber,indicating that L.glaber seedlings performed better in their own soils than in soils from P.massoniana in the absence of fungi.Our findings highlight the importance of soil-borne pathogenic and ectomycorrhizal fungi in driving PSF,and indicate that PSF may promote the coexistence of two subtropical tree species by reducing the performance of L.glaber in own soils.

Screening of Two Biocontrol Strains of Bacillus subtilis against Ginseng Soil-borne Disease and Their Antifungal Activities

[ Objective] The paper was to obtain biocontrol strains with good control effects against ginseng soil-borne disease through screening. [ Method] Dilu- tion plate method and plate confrontation culture method were used to isolate and screen biocontrol bacteria from the rhizosphere soil of diseased ginseng. The strains were identified through morphology, physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA. [ Result ] With Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum and Fu- sarium solani as the indicator strains, two biocontrol strains B59 and X1 with strong antagonistic effects were screened from the rhizosphere soil of diseased ginseng in Tieli farm of Heilongjiang Province, and they were identified to be Bacillus subtilis. The inhibition rates of two biocontrol strains against eight different fungi were all greater than 90%. The primary study indicated that B59 and X1 strains could secrete antifungal active substances. [ Conclusion] Two biocontrol Bacillus subti- lis strains 1359 and X1 all had strong antagonistic effect against ginseng soil-borne disease, which had certain potential for development and utilization.

Fermentation, formulation and evaluation of PGPR Bacillus subtilis isolate as a bioagent for reducing occurrence of peanut soil-borne diseases

Four isolates of Bacillus subtilis coded,B4,B7,B8 and B10 were examined as biocontrol agents for their abilities and antagonistic effect on the in vitro growth of certain phytopathogenic fungi of peanut,Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii.Bacillus subtilis isolate B4(GenBank accession no.EF150884)was the highly effective one for inhibiting the fungal mycelial growth.Batch fermentation of B.subtilis isolate B4 was carried out and the maximum biomass achieved was 4.53 g L-1 at 11 h.Bacillus subtilis isolate B4 was formulated and evaluated as a biofungicide to reduce peanut soil-borne diseases under greenhouse and field conditions at the side of Rizolex-T(fungicide)as standard.Treatments by formulated plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria(PGPR)B.subtilis B4 and Rizolex-T in a soil infested with R.solani,S.rolfsii and mixture of them were more effective in decreasing percentage of damping-off,root and pod rot disease incidence(%)in greenhouse and open field environment during the two seasons 2015 and 2016.Treatments by PGPR gave highly dry weight and number of healthy pods compared to control of fungi treatment which was nearby to dry weights of healthy pods achieved by treatments by Rizolex-T in a soil infested with S.rolfsii,R.solani and mixture of them.Formulated PGPR B.subtilis B4 gave higher increasing of yield percentage than treatment by Rizolex-T in the two evaluated seasons 2015 and 2016.It can conclude that the produced bioforumlated agent was more efficient as fungicide when compared with the other chemical synthesized fungicides,safe for human and the environment and economy.

Prevention and Control Technology of Potato Soil-borne Diseases

In recent years,potato soil-borne diseases have occurred severely.The investigation shows that potato Fusarium wilt greatly affects potato yield,leading to a yield reduction rate of 21.8%.Potato powdery scab shows very mild symptoms on potato tuber,basically with no symptoms in some plots,but shows obvious symptoms on the root system.A large number of nodules which are produced on one side of the root system seriously affect water and fertilizer absorption function of the potato root system.Potato tubers expand slowly,leading to small potato tuber,low yield and low commodity rate.The fungus can survive in soil for more than 10 years.Potato soil-borne diseases are harmful and are difficult to control.Susceptible plants can be detected by high definition chromatographic control method and pathogen detection.For prevention and control of potato soil-borne diseases,first of all,disease-resistant varieties should be chosen and virus-free potato seeds are used for sowing.Secondly,metham and dazomet can be used to treat soil in order to prevent and control potato soil-borne diseases.The results showed that the dead seedling rate treated by metham was reduced from 35%to 12.5%compared with the blank control,and the yield was increased by 44.09 kg/ha,with an increase rate of 18.2%.Compared with the blank control,the dead seedling rate treated by dazomet was decreased from 35%to 7.5%,and the yield was increased by 38.10 kg/ha,with an increase rate of 15.7%.The soil treatment received obvious yield increase effect.

Susceptibility of Wheat Varieties to Soil-Borne <i>Rhizoctonia</i>Infection

Response of 19 wheat varieties cultivated in Hungary varied within large limits to soil borne Rhizoctonia infection. The most frequent symptom, usually leading to damping off was the root neck necrosis. Four significant factors influencing the susceptibility of wheat comprised 71% of total variation but none of them was dominant. The inhibition of development of survivors in Rhizoctonia infested soil correlated with overall susceptibility of variety concerned. The varieties Emese, Kikelet and Palotás are proved to be less susceptible, but none of the varieties could be certified as tolerant. No relationships were revealed between pathogenicity of 26 Rhizoctonia strains studied and their taxonomic position or origin. The anamorph strains of Athelia, Ceratobasidium, Ceratorhiza and Waitea similar to Thanatephorus anamorphs selectively infected the wheat varieties, but the syndromatic pictures were undistinguishable with unarmed eye. R. solani was proved to be more aggressive against germinating wheat than R. cerealis. Nine significant factors influencing the virulence of Rhizoctonia strains comprised 82% of total variation, and six of them influenced exclusively Thanatephorus anamorphs.

Morphological Characterization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with the Rhizosphere According to the Age of Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott Plants in the Field

The objective of this work was to carry out a morphological characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott plants. The plant material used was the white and red cultivars of X. sagittifolium, belonging to age intervals of 3 - 6, 6 - 9, and 9 - 12 months. Three harvest sites were chosen in the Central Region of Cameroon. In each site, soil from the rhizosphere and plant roots was collected in a randomized manner. In the field, the agronomic parameters were evaluated. The physicochemical characteristics of the soils, the mycorrhization index, and the morphological characterization of the mycorrhizal types of each site were carried out. The results obtained show that the agronomic growth parameters varied significantly using the Student Newman and Keuls Test depending on the harvest sites. The soils’ pH in all sites was acidic and ranged between 4.6 and 5.8. The Nkometou site has a loamy texture while the Olembe and Soa sites have loam-clay-sandy and loam-clay textures respectively. The highest mycorrhization frequencies appeared at the Nkometou site, with 75 and 87.33% of the white and red cultivars plant roots at 6 - 9 and 3 - 6 months. The relative abundance of AMF arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores in the rhizosphere of X. sagittifolium plants varied with age and cultivar. There were 673 spores between 9 - 12 months in Nkometou in the red cultivar. Six AMF genera were identified in all the different soils collected: Acaulospora sp., Funneliformis sp., Gigaspora sp., Glomus sp., Scutellospora sp., and Septoglomus sp. The genus Glomus sp. was the most present at all age intervals in both cultivars.

Reclassification and Nomenclature of Common Pathogenic Fungi

The accurate identification of pathogenic fungi is crucial for diagnosing and treating fungal infections. Recent advancements in molecular biotechnology, phylogenetic analysis, and the requirements of the Melbourne Code have led to changes in the classification and naming of fungi. These changes have caused significant confusion for medical laboratories and clinical personnel. This article summarizes the classification and new names of common pathogenic fungi to enhance fungi identification skills and provide accurate information for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Soil Physico-Chemical Properties and Different Altitudes Affect Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Abundance and Colonization in Cacao Plantations of Cameroon

This study aims to investigate the abundance of AMF according to soil properties and altitudes in different cacao plantations of Cameroon. Physico-chemical analyses were made on soil samples collected from three agro-ecological zones. Soil samples were also used to evaluate directly the AMF abundance following the various altitudes and after trapping by sorghum plant. The results showed that soil properties, AMF spore abundances and colonization fluctuated significantly at different altitudes. The most represented texture was sandy loam. The bimodal zone presented a homogeneous texture (sandy loam) in all its localities. Cacao soil chemical characteristics showed that, the highest nitrogen rate (0.47%;p 0.05, Scott-Knott test) was recorded at Melong in a monomodal zone while Tonga in the Western highlands displayed the lowest rate (0.13%). Soil P concentration was significantly high in monomodal zones (Mbanga and Melong). Soil pH level indicated that the soil from Tonga in the Western highlands was neutral (pH = 6.67), and soils of other localities under study were acidic with the lowest (4.75) pH level recorded at Melong in a monomodal zone. In soil samples, the highest spore density (1.03 spores/g soil) was observed at Ntui in Bimodal zone, while the lowest spore density (0.26 spores/g soil) was observed at Bafang in the Western highlands. Root colonization showed that the sample from Bokito in a bimodal zone displayed the best frequency of mycorrhization (86.11%) while the sample from Bafang in the Western highlands recorded the lowest (27.11%). The PCA analysis highlighted that available phosphorus, pH and altitude all strongly correlated with AMF root colonization ability and can be used as a predictor of AMF colonization ability in cacao rhizosphere.

Secondary Metabolites of Entomopathogenic Fungi, Biological Alternative for the Control of Agricultural Pests and Disease: Present and Perspectives

The use of entomopathogenic fungi (EF) in recent years has been highly effective against the different orders of insects considered pests of agricultural importance and their conidia have been commonly applied, but it has been reported that these are sensitive to the environmental conditions. For this reason, biopesticides products have been formulated based on secondary metabolites, recently. These biomolecules participate as biological control agent, such as: cyclic depsipeptides, amino acids, polyketides, polyphenols and terpenoids, affecting their morphology, life cycle and insect behavior. The use of secondary metabolites of entomopathogenic fungi opens the possibility of application in a more efficient way for the control of agricultural pests in a compatible with the environment and human health;therefore, it is important to know, analyzing the type of molecules, their effects, and their different methods of application.

Fungi Associated with Sand and Plants from Marine Coastlines: Potential Relevance for Human Health

The fungal community associated with beach sand and plants located along marine coasts are an under-studied area of research despite its potential relevance to human health. In this study, we isolated and identified the cultivable mycobiota associated with sand and plants collected along the coast of Gran Canaria (Spain) using culture-dependent and -independent methods. Clinically relevant species belonging to Cryptococcus spp. and related genera such as Naganishia and Papilotrema were isolated and identified from shoreline plants. Moreover, Candida tropicalis was isolated from beach sand, and Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus terreus strains were associated with both types of samples (i.e., plants and beach sand). We conclude that beach sand and shoreline plants are potential reservoirs of fungi of high clinical interest. We recommend including beach sand and plants from the environment when assessing the quality of marine coastal systems. Our results open a framework for studying the natural marine environment and its role in the epidemiology of infectious diseases in order to more accurately manage public health.

Resistance of Microbial Community of Artemisia annua L.to Pathogenic Fungi

[Objectives]This paper was to figure out whether the dominant bacterial community has the role and effect of bacterial community and its defense mechanism against potential pathogenic fungi in Artemisia annua,and thus establish a systematic model of bacteria-fungus-plant.[Methods]Fifty-eight strains of bacteria and one strain of pathogenic fungi,Globisporangium ultimatum,were used for the experiments.These 58 bacterial strains were assembled into a bacterial community,and the bacteria with abundance in the top 1%were reassembled into a dominant bacterial community as measured by 16S rDNA.[Results]The growth of A.annua seedlings inoculated with bacterial communities and pathogenic fungi or dominant bacterial communities and pathogenic fungi was significantly better than that of A.annua seedlings inoculated with pathogenic fungi during in vitro confrontation,which was evident in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant assays.[Conclusions]The results suggest that the dominant bacterial community has a crucial role as a representative core microbial community of synthetic bacterial community,which can protect plants by interfering with the growth of phytopathogenic fungi mediated by chemical signals,and can be used as the main synthetic community of biocides to achieve the effect of biocontrol.

Dynamic Study on Soil Fungi Population in Artificial Vegetation Areas of Shapotou in Ningxia

[Objective] The changes of fungi in different soil layers and sand dunes of artificial vegetation areas in Ningxia Shapotou during different times were studied. [Method]The number of soil fungi in different soil layers at same plot and in same soil layer at different plots were changed significantly.The quantitative distribution of fungi was the most in Cuiliugou but the fewest in quicksand among all soil types.[Result] The quantity of soil fungi in grasslands was varied in different soil layers at the same sample and in the same soil layer at different sample plots. The quantity of fungi from different soil types distributed mostly in Cuiliugou, a natural desert steppe, but little in quicksand. The species and quantity of fungi in CuiLiugou was the most in different types of sand-fixing lands. [Conclusion] The quantity of soil fungi in artificial vegetation areas raises with the increase of sand-fixing ages, The enhancement of vegetation construction and artificial management measures in inland is helpful for improving present situation of desertification.

A Recycling Agriculture Model Based on Edible Fungi Cultivation

[Objective]This study was to explore the model for the efficient utilization of agricultural resources,especially crop straw and livestock waste.[Methods]With Shandong Jiufa Edible Fungus Co.,Ltd.as a case,this paper described a recycling agriculture model based on edible fungi,and analyzed its economic,ecological and social benefit [Results]The recycling agriculture model,guided by the scale production,processing and vendition of medium for the culture edible fungi,mainly makes use of a large amount of agriculture wastes like wheat straw,livestock waste,for developing edible fungi industry,aiming at getting the intensive optimization of fund,technology,raw materials and products at village level and more surplus labors engaged in edible fungi production industry into reality.Moreover,this model provides multi-solutions to the utilization of a great deal of fungus dreg,which can not only solve the problem of fungus dreg generated in the edible fungi production,but also extend industrial chain and enhance the income of practitioners,further realizing maximum conversion of agricultural resources.[Conclusion]This model can make well use of agricultural resources and reduce the agricultural waste pollution,significantly increasing economic,ecological and social benefits.

Effect of Different Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Strains on Mineral Nutrition and Antioxidant Enzymes of Chrysanthemum morifolium

[Objective] The purpose was to study the effects of different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi strains（AMF）on the mineral nutrition and antioxidant enzymes of Chrysanthemum morifolium.[Method] The pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse,C.morifolium ＇Jinba＇ was inoculated with five kinds of AMF,N,P,K,malondial dehyde（MDA）content,as well as the superoxide dismutase（SOD）,peroxidase（POD） and catalase（CAT） activity in roots,leaves and petals of C.morifolium were measured at seedling and flowering stages.[Result] The G.i,G.e and G.m treatments could promote mineral nutrient absorption,increase N,P,K content in roots,leaves and petals of C.morifolium compared with the control without inoculation.The G.d、G.e and G.m treatments could significantly reduce MDA content in roots and petals,thus alleviating membrane permeability and lipid peroxidation.The G.i treatments could also improve the SOD,POD and CAT activities of C.morifolium,thereby increasing the capability of scavenging oxygen free radicals.[Conclusion] According to the comprehensive analysis,G.i was screened out as the best strain to improve mineral nutrition and antioxidant enzyme activities of C.morifolium.

Study on biodegradated ability of thirteen edible fungi to straw

The biodegradated abilities of 13 edible fungi to straw were studied. The results showed that all the experimental fungi except Tricholama mongolicum had definite biodegradated abilities to the lignin and cellulose of straw. The Ideal fungus for straw degradation was screened out as Pleurotus ostreatus, which showed a higher degradation ability for lignin (17.86%) and lower degradation rate for cellulose (2.24%), with a Selection Factor (SF) of 7.97. The degradation rates of lignin and cellulose for other fungi ranged from 2.30% to 16.54% and 5.60% to 17.32%, respectively, and the SF was very low in range of 0.14 to 2.24.The ratio of colony's diameters to the color-zone (d1/d2) and SF are negative correlation, with a correlation coefficient of -0.1476.

Study on the Biological Diversity of Nematode-trapping Fungi in Erhai Lake

[Objective]The research aimed to investigate the biological diversity of nematode-trapping fungi in the sediment of Erhai Lake.[Method]616 pieces of sediments were collected from Erhai Lake.The traditional classification and identification methods were used to isolate,purify and identify.[Result]3 genera and 22 species of nematode-trapping fungi were isolated.Arthrobotrys oligospora,A.musiformis and Dactylella leptospora were the dominant species,and their detection rates were 28.05%,16.04% and 8.92% respectively.By analyzing the diversity of nematode-trapping fungi in four seasons,it was found that the biological diversity was richer in summer,spring and autumn,and the diversity indexes were 2.59,2.47 and 2.34 respectively.The diversity index in winter was 1.48 and was lower.Species forming the adhesive nets were predominant;positive rate was 41.00%.[Conclusion]The rich nematode-trapping fungi resource existed in Erhai Lake,and its biological diversity had the seasonal variation characteristic.The nematode-trapping fungi which formed the viscous net were the dominant species in Erhai Lake.

Chemical Prevention of Myxomycetes Disease in Edible Fungi

[ Objective ] The paper was to find effective chemical methods to control myxomycetes disease in edible fungi. [ Method] Some low toxic and pollution- free chemical reagents were first selected to carry out indoor toxicity test, and their inhibition effects against myxomyeetes were measured. Then the reagents with small effect on the growth of Pleurotu.s ostreatua were selected according to the indoor bioassay results, and carried out control test against myxomyeetes disease in mushroom house. [ Results] The results showed that the combination of Ludanlan sephora flavescens 1 000 times liquid ＋ salicylic acid 300 times liquid, Clolrim- azole suppositories 1 000 times liquid, Ludanlan sophora flavescens 1 000 times liquid and salicylic acid 300 times liquid had the best control efficacy against the disease. They were the preferred reagents for the prevention of myxomycetes disease in production practice. [ Conclusion] The results provided basis for the effec- tive control d myxomycetes disease in edible fungi.

Effects of Material Physical Properties on White-rot Fungi Mycelial Growth

[ Objective] The research aimed to study effects of material physical properties on white-rot fungi mycelial growth and provide theoretical basis for further expanding the application range of white-rot fungi. [ Method Four common species of white-rot fungi were cultivated by wood meal fowl dung mixture in test tube and culture dishes. The relationship between physical properties of culture material and the growth of these mycelials were studied. [Result] The results showed the water retention capacity of culture material was decreased with the increasing of its grain size and porosity, but the decrease of its specific gravity reduced the material water retention. And the dehydration rate of medium prepared with these materials at the same moisture conditions tended to increase. These physical properties of material, such as grain size, specific gravity, porosity, water retention and water drainage, influenced the growth of white-rot fungi mycelial by affecting the moisture and ventilation condition of media. The results hinted that above material physical properties had feedback effects on the growth of white-rot fungi mycelia. [ Conclution] Physical properties of culture material have significant effects on the growth of white-rot fungi mycelial.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi(AMF) on Growth of Upland Rice under Soil Pb Contamination

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of arbuscular mycor-rhizal fungi （AMF） on growth of upland rice under soil Pb contamination. [Method] Using potting method, the effects of Glomus mosseae on the growth of Oryzal sati-va L. under different soil Pb concentrations （0, 300, 600 mg/kg） were investigated. [Result] According to the results, the mycorrhizal colonization rate of upland rice in-oculated with Glomus mosseae was significantly reduced （P〈0.05） with the increase of Pb concentration in soil. Compared with non-inoculation treatment, inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi significantly improved the biomass of upland rice and Pb concentration of upland rice roots with addition of 300 mg/kg Pb but significantly reduced Pb concentration of upland rice shoots, which was consistent with the re-duced R/S （P〈0.05）; with addition of 600 mg/kg Pb, inoculation of arbuscular mycor-rhizal fungi significantly improved the biomass of upland rice roots （P〈0.05） but sig-nificantly reduced Pb concentration of upland rice shoots and roots （P〈0.05）; there was no significant difference in R/S between inoculation treatment and non-inocula-tion treatment. [Conclusion] This study indicated that inoculating Glomus mosseae under certain Pb concentrations could to some extent al eviate the toxic effects of Pb on Oryzal sativa L.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Upland Rice Oxidative Stress Induced by Cu and Pb Contamination in Soil

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycor-rhizal fungi on upland rice oxidative stress induced by Cu and Pb contamination in soil. [Method] The upland rice seeds were sowed in pots, in which the soil was previously mixed with a certain amount of Glomus mosseae and 0, 100 and 200 mg/kg Cu, or 0, 300 and 600 mg/kg Pb. In the control treatment, Glomus mosseae was inactivated before mixed into the soil. Then, the physiological and chemical properties of the aboveground parts of rice plants were measured at mature stage. [Result] Compared with the control treatment （NM）, Glomus mosseae （GM） treat-ment inhibited the POD, CAT and SOD activity while increased the soluble protein content under 100 mg/kg Cu and 300 mg/kg Pb treatment, improved the POD and CAT activity and soluble protein content while decreased SOD activity under 200 mg/kg Cu. SOD and POD activity showed no significant difference between NM and GM treatment under 600 mg/kg Pb, but the CAT activity was enhanced and soluble protein content was decreased. [Conclusion] This study wil provide theoretical refer-ence for bioremediation of soil heavy metal pol ution.