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Four Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) consortia were assembled based on their plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits and biocontrol properties, previously characterized in vitro, and tested to protect tomato plants against Alternaria spp. infections. Results indicated that PGPR consortia significantly reduced Alternaria disease severity on tomato plants. Consortia C2 and C3 were particularly effective, demonstrating disease control rates similar to or exceeding those achieved with full-dose chemical fungicides. Furthermore, PGPR treatments markedly decreased fungal colonization in both leaves and fruits, with the best performing consortia reducing fungal presence by up to 98% shortly after inoculation in the short term. Only tenuazonic acid (TeA) was detected among the tested mycotoxins, and its levels were significantly lower in fruits from PGPR-treated plants. The combination of PGPR consortia with a reduced dose of fungicide also showed promising results, indicating a synergistic effect in controlling both fungal spread and mycotoxin production in the long run. Findings support the potential of PGPR as sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides, enhancing plant health while reducing environmental impact, aligning with current agricultural policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida auris is an emerging drug-resistant pathogen associated with high mortality rates. This study aimed to explore the metabolic alterations and associated pathogenesis and drug resistance in fluconazole-treated Candida auris–host cell interaction. Compared with controls, secreted metabolites from fluconazole-treated C. auris and fluconazole-treated C. auris–host cell co-culture demonstrated notable anti-Candida activity. Fluconazole caused significant reductions in C. auris cell numbers and aggregated phenotype. Metabolites produced by C. auris with potential fungal colonization, invasion, and host immune evasion effects were identified. Metabolites known to enhance biofilm formation produced during C. auris–host cell interaction were inhibited by fluconazole. Fluconazole enhanced the production of metabolites with biofilm inhibition activity, including behenyl alcohol and decanoic acid. Metabolites with potential Candida growth inhibition activity such as 2-palmitoyl glycerol, 1-tetradecanol, and 1-nonadecene were activated by fluconazole. Different patterns of proinflammatory cytokine expression presented due to fluconazole concentration and host cell type (fibroblasts versus macrophages). This highlights the immune response's complexity, emphasizing the necessity for additional research to comprehend cell-type-specific responses to antifungal therapies. Both host cell interaction and fluconazole treatment increased the expression of CDR1 and ERG11 genes, both associated with drug resistance. This study provides insights into pathogenesis in C. auris due to host cell interaction and fluconazole treatment. Understanding these interactions is crucial for enhancing fluconazole sensitivity and effectively combating C. auris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Plants express diverse nutrient use and acquisition traits, but it is unclear how trait combinations at the species level are constrained by phylogeny, trait coordination, or trade‐offs in resource investment. One trait – nitrogen (N) fixation – is assumed to correlate with other traits and used to define plant functional groups, despite potential confounding effects of phylogeny.We quantified growth, carbon metabolism, fixation rate, root phosphatase activity (RPA), mycorrhizal colonization, and leaf and root morphology/chemistry across 22 species of fixing and nonfixing tropical Fabaceae trees under common conditions.Belowground trait variation was high even among closely related species, and most traits displayed a phylogenetic signal, including N‐fixation rate and nodule biomass. Across species, we observed strong positive correlations between physiological traits such as RPA and root respiration. RPA increased ~ fourfold per unit increase in fixation, supporting the debated hypothesis that N‐fixers 'trade' N for phosphatases to enhance phosphorus acquisition. Specific root length and root N differed between functional groups, though for other traits, apparent differences became nonsignificant after accounting for phylogenetic nonindependence.We conclude that evolutionary history, trait coordination, and fixation ability contribute to nutrient trait expression at the species level, and recommend explicitly considering phylogeny in analyses of functional groupings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barley grain harvested for malting poses an interesting case study for the impacts of plant‐associated microbiomes because the conditions created during malting favour continued vigorous microbial activity after grain harvest. Suppression of pathogens is among the key functions performed by microbiomes, and it would be beneficial if we could harness this function. Over a 3‐year field trial, we micro‐malted barley that had been experimentally infested with each of seven different strains of the fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum, and profiled bacterial microbiomes at key stages in the malting process (grain, post‐steeping, post‐germination and final dried malt). The greatest impacts on bacterial microbiomes were observed to be from the year and stage of malting, with comparatively fewer impacts of barley cultivar or pathogen strain. Relatively limited impacts of the presence and strain identity of fungal pathogen on the bacterial microbiome of malting barley probably reflects the colonization by other fungi, as our inoculation took place under field conditions with supplemental irrigation. Both community level shifts and significant responses by individual taxa were evident. Microbiome characteristics or the relative abundances of specific bacterial taxa helped to explain pathogen biomass, mycotoxin production and beer gushing. Manipulative experiments will be required to test hypotheses suggested by these microbiome profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strigolactones exhibit dual functionality as regulators of plant architecture and signaling molecules in the rhizosphere. The important model crop rice exudes a blend of different strigolactones from its roots. Here, we identify the inaugural noncanonical strigolactone, 4-oxo-methyl carlactonoate (4-oxo-MeCLA), in rice root exudate. Comprehensive, cross-species coexpression analysis allowed us to identify a cytochrome P450, OsCYP706C2, and two methyl transferases as candidate enzymes for this noncanonical rice strigolactone biosynthetic pathway. Heterologous expression in yeast and Nicotiana benthamiana indeed demonstrated the role of these enzymes in the biosynthesis of 4-oxo-MeCLA, which, expectedly, is derived from carlactone as substrate. The oscyp706c2 mutants do not exhibit a tillering phenotype but do have delayed mycorrhizal colonization and altered root phenotype. This work sheds light onto the intricate complexity of strigolactone biosynthesis in rice and delineates its role in symbiosis and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from fungi are known as their secondary metabolites from environmental sources. However, their physiological roles remain to be unclear. Even though the roles are still unknown, VOCs are deliberately released to convey information to both homologous and non-homologous organisms. We investigated the effects of single VOCs (hexanal, benzaldehyde, heptanal, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 3-octanone, 2-undecanone, 3-octanol, 2-Phenylethanol, 2-phenyl-2-propanol, phenylbenzaldehyde, 2-pentadecanone, β-trans-bergamotene, β-bisabolene, 2-methyl-5 -(1-methylethyl)pyrazine) on the fungal growth. In parallel, application of the co-culturing system in a growth chamber allowed free gas and VOCs exchange between emitter colonies of Fusarium solani and Aspergillus fumigatus, or between colonies of different growth stages of the same species. Distinct self-inhibition occurred by the emitters of fungal growing colonies against receiver ones on the stage of conidial germination or against the younger colonies at an earlier stage in both fungi. Similarly, the phenomenon of allelopathy appeared to work between growing colonies of F. solani and the germinating conidia or young colonies of A. fumigatus or vice versa. Solid phase microextraction—gas chromatography/mass spectrometry revealed VOCs compounds of each fungi. In F. solani, hexanal and benzaldehyde appeared to be significant inhibitors for colony growth. Benzaldehyde inhibited filamentous growth but not conidial germination. In A. fumigatus, heptanal seemed to be an equivalent effector. The inhibitory effect of benzaldehyde was more distinct on the A. fumigatus conidial germination than its filamentous growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although overlooked in post‐mining rehabilitation, soil mycobiota constitute an important fraction of biodiversity, playing pivotal functions in soil that contribute to the revegetation process and soil stability in post‐mining environments. Evaluating the rehabilitation progress requires comparing it, when possible, with a reference site, preferably identical or similar to pre‐mining characteristics. Here, we investigated the mycobiota from a reference site, comparable to pre‐mining characteristics, and a post‐mining revegetated site 10 years after decommissioning and revegetation, during rainy and dry seasons. We combined the metabarcoding approach with functional traits from fungal operational taxonomic units and complemented our results with traditional techniques for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) surveys using spore morphology and mycorrhizal colonization. Our findings demonstrated that the composition of the fungal community exhibited more differences between the two sites studied than the intra‐annual periods assessed, even though the sites were under the same climatic conditions, spatially nearby, and without barriers between them. The mycobiota composition displayed differences between sites from phylum to genus levels. However, the predictive trophic modes (pathotrophs, saprotrophs, and symbionts) were equivalent in the two sites. All roots of plants assessed had AMF colonization, and AMF spore densities were similar. While many fungal taxa were present at both sites, the spatial connectivity between both sites was insufficient for equivalence of fungal community structure and composition. Differences in chemical and physical soil characteristics may have shaped the fungal communities. This study highlights the need to comprehend the fungal community from mining environments, considering concepts of landscape connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Legumes utilize a long-distance signaling feedback pathway, termed Autoregulation of Nodulation (AON), to regulate the establishment and maintenance of their symbiosis with rhizobia. Several proteins key to this pathway have been discovered, but the AON pathway is not completely understood. Results: We report a new hypernodulating mutant, defective in autoregulation, with disruption of a gene, DAR (Medtr2g450550/MtrunA17_Chr2g0304631), previously unknown to play a role in AON. The dar-1 mutant produces ten-fold more nodules than wild type, similar to AON mutants with disrupted SUNN gene function. As in sunn mutants, suppression of nodulation by CLE peptides MtCLE12 and MtCLE13 is abolished in dar. Furthermore, dar-1 also shows increased root length colonization by an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, suggesting a role for DAR in autoregulation of mycorrhizal symbiosis (AOM). However, unlike SUNN which functions in the shoot to control nodulation, DAR functions in the root. Conclusions: DAR encodes a membrane protein that is a member of a small protein family in M. truncatula. Our results suggest that DAR could be involved in the subcellular transport of signals involved in symbiosis regulation, but it is not upregulated during symbiosis. DAR gene family members are also present in Arabidopsis, lycophytes, mosses, and microalgae, suggesting the AON and AOM may use pathway components common to other plants, even those that do not undergo either symbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Companion animals such as cats help to reduce stress among people as they delight their owners in their ways. Good management and hygiene practices of pets help in keeping them in a healthy condition. Nevertheless, since fungal infection develops rapidly, there is a high tendency for them to get infected. The paucity of data regarding skin mycoses among cats in Malaysia leads to this study. Private veterinary clinics from the Central Region of Peninsular Malaysia were approached for participation in this study. Sampling was conducted for one year, collecting hair plucked, skin scrapings, and swabs from lesions of the cats with skin problems and inoculating onto Sabouraud Dextrose Agar media. Diagnosing the fungal colony was conducted through a direct examination method using lactophenol cotton blue stain and molecular identification of the isolates using polymerase chain reaction targeting the fungi species' internal transcribed spacer region and ß-tubulin gene. Of the 127 cats, 93 were positively infected, mainly with Microsporum canis (n = 38) and Sporothrix schenckii (n = 26). Saprophytic fungi detected on cats were Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp., Candida sp., Chaetomium sp., Chrysosporium sp., Curvularia sp., Fusarium sp., Geotrichum sp., Penicillium sp., Talaromyces sp., Trichoderma sp., Trichosporon sp., and Xylaria sp. This finding represents the number of cats infected with fungal dermatitis in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botryosphaeriaceae fungi cause infections that generate disease symptoms in plants in extreme environments. The present study identified the causal agent of dieback disease on lebbeck trees in Saudi Arabia. Albizia lebbeck trees showed widespread dieback, decline and cracking symptoms of samples taken during a Qassim University, Saudi Arabia survey. The survey showed that over 80% of lebbeck trees showed wilted roots, stem cankers and death of wilted trees. Fungal colonies were obtained from symptomatic tissues cultured on water agar for 3 weeks at 25°C. Elongation factor alpha (EF1‐728 F, AL33R), ITS (ITS4) and LSU (128) regions of the rDNA operon and the partial beta‐tubulin gene (tub2; Bt2aF, Bt2bR) were sequenced for molecular identification. Based on morphological and molecular characterization, the pathogen was identified as Neoscytalidium dimidiatum. During the pathogenicity investigation, the fungus re‐isolated from the infected seedlings expressed the same morphological characteristics on the culture media as the N. dimidiatum isolate. A host range study involving six tree species inoculation with N. dimidiatum caused wilting and death in three plants. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report on N. dimidiatum in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lubricant oils are largely responsible for environmental contamination and surfactants can hopefully improve the bioremediation process in soils contaminated with this kind of waste. However, to date only a few studies have elucidated how different surfactants affect the bioremediation process in oil-contaminated soils using the bioaugmentation technique. Thus, this study aimed to compare the effects of surfactants on the bioremediation process of waste lubricant oil in soil in association or not with bioaugmentation. Three biostimulating agents were tested: a chemical detergent, a synthetic surfactant, and a biosurfactant (rhamnolipid). The bioaugmentation process with Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed a faster biodegradation activity with total biodegradation on 181 day after application. The biosurfactant increased the number of microbial and fungal colonies leading to high biodegradation levels and a quicker treatment with or without the bioaugmentation. Bioaugmentation associated with biosurfactant reached 30.43 mg of CO2 of production on 181 day (90% of total biodegradation of waste lubricant oil) and reduced soil toxicity to 30%. Therefore, results showed that the association of biosurfactant and bioaugmentation with P. aeruginosa represents an ecologically viable strategy for bioremediation of soils contaminated with waste lubricant oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical signals are crucial in mediating ecological and evolutionary adaptation of plants to their environments. Indeed, invasive plants may produce greater amounts of chemical metabolites in their new ranges. Some of these chemicals can enhance their mutualistic interactions and improve invasive plant performance, but genetic mechanisms of such adaptations are unexplored.We used Triadica sebifera plants as a model to investigate evolutionary changes in chemical signals that enhance arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal associations. Previous studies found that T. sebifera plants from invasive populations had higher root exudate concentrations of the flavonoid quercetin and elevated AM fungal colonization compared with those from native populations. Here, we explored genetic variation in strigolactone concentrations in root exudates and their contribution to AM fungal colonization with strigolactone analogue GR24 additions. In addition, we studied how gene expression patterns related to flavonoid and strigolactone biosynthesis varied among invasive and native populations using comparative genomics, transcriptomics and fluorescent real‐time quantitative PCR.We found that plants from invasive populations had higher concentrations of the strigolactone 5‐deoxystrigol in root exudates that were correlated with higher AM fungal colonization rates, relative to those from native populations. Exogenous applications of GR24, a synthetic analogue of 5‐deoxystrigol, increased AM fungal colonization. We found higher expression of a single gene in flavonoid (FLS) and strigolactone (DAD1) biosynthesis pathways increased levels of quercetin and 5‐deoxystrigol in plants from invasive populations, respectively.Synthesis. Understanding the role of genetic evolution in enhancing mutualisms of invasive plants provides new insights into the underlying mechanisms of plant invasion. This study suggests that an invasive plant enhanced its mutualisms by upregulating the expression of key genes related to secondary metabolites in root exudates which stimulate symbiotic relationships with AM fungi. Thus, these findings provide insights into genetic mechanisms that underlie higher AM fungal colonization and enhanced invasive plant performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal contamination in rice and mycotoxins present significant challenges to both rice quality and food safety. However, there is a dearth of comprehensive research on the compositional and structural changes within fungal colonies in rice, particularly in typical rice-producing regions, as well as their underlying influencing factors. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of fungal taxa in rice grains was conducted using amplicon sequencing and bioinformatics methods on 99 rice samples collected in three major rice-producing regions in China: Northeast Plain (NP), Yangtze River Basin (YR), and Southeast Coastal Area (SC). A total of 6,019,722 fungal ITS sequences were obtained with an average sequence length of 235 base pairs, and effective ASVs (2014) accounted for approximately 97.58% of the total ASVs (2064). The fungal community diversity in rice grains exhibited significant variations across the three regions, with deterministic processes playing a predominant role in shaping the ecological dynamics of fungal taxa. Among the core microbiota (92 shared ASVs), the first five species (Alternaria, Fusarium, Curvularia, Epicoccum, and Ustilaginoidea) accounting for a proportion greater than 5% had been reported as potential pathogens for plants. Geographical variations in fungal community composition were evident, with a significantly higher number of shared populations observed between YR and CS regions compared to those in the NP region. Nutrient elements and climatic conditions were the internal and external driving factors of rice fungal community composition. Additionally, notable regional variations in fungal functionality were observed. The findings have significant implications for gaining a comprehensive understanding of the distribution patterns of fungal communities in the major rice-producing regions in China. Additionally, it provides valuable insights into controlling key influencing factors to effectively reduce the occurrence of toxin-producing fungi and mitigate the associated risks related to mycotoxin contamination, thereby contributing to improved risk management and assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In agricultural production, it is crucial to increase the availability of phosphorus (P) in cultivated soil to solve the P limitation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been proven to promote crop nutrient absorption effectively, while biochar can lead to improvements in soil properties. However, the possible synergistic effect of AMF and biochar on P uptake by crops as well as its underlying mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we conducted a pot experiment to explore the effects of biochar and AMF (Glomus etunicatum) on the community of rhizospheric phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) of maize (Zea mays L. Xianyu-335) using metagenomic methods. The experiment used 0 mg P2O5 g·kg−1 soil (P0) and 30 mg P2O5 g·kg−1 soil (P30) application rates. Each P application rate included 0 (NC), 20 g·kg−1 biochar (BC) addition, inoculation AMF, and without AMF treatments (NM) for a total of eight treatments. During the experiment, both the P uptake and the biomass of maize were measured. The study found that the combination of AMF and biochar significantly increased the mycorrhizal colonization rate of maize roots, regardless of P application level. It was observed that the P uptake by maize was significantly increased when exposed to a combination of AMF and biochar. The increase in P uptake in P0 treatments was 67% higher than the sum of the effects of biochar and AMF inoculation alone. The increase was only 35% higher in P30 treatments, demonstrating a substantially higher interactive effect under P0 than under P30 conditions. The AM-BC treatments significantly increased the abundance of Streptomyces, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas, genera that are known to contain PSMs. In addition, the abundance of genes related to P-cycling (gcd, phoD, and ugpQ) in PSMs increased significantly by 1.5–1.8 times in AM-BC treatments compared with NM-BC and AM-NC treatments under P0 conditions. This increase was significantly and positively correlated with the P uptake. Overall, the results suggest that biochar can help AMF colonize the roots, increasing the functional roles of PSMs in the rhizosphere, which in turn promotes P uptake and biomass in maize. This study provides a new way to improve P-use efficiency and reduce the need for P-fertilizer application in agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The apocarotenoid strigolactones (SLs) facilitate pre‐symbiotic communication between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and plants. Related blumenol‐C‐glucosides (blumenols), have also been associated with symbiosis, but the cues that are involved in the regulation of blumenol accumulation during AM symbiosis remain unclear. In rice, our analyses demonstrated a strict correlation between foliar blumenol abundance and intraradical fungal colonisation. More specifically, rice mutants affected at distinct stages of the interaction revealed that fungal cortex invasion was required for foliar blumenol accumulation. Plant phosphate status and D14L hormone signalling had no effect, contrasting their known role in induction of SLs. This a proportion of the SL biosynthetic enzymes, D27 and D17, are equally required for blumenol production. These results importantly clarify that, while there is a partially shared biosynthetic pathway between SL and blumenols, the dedicated induction of the related apocarotenoids occurs in response to cues acting at distinct stages during the root colonisation process. However, we reveal that neither SLs nor blumenols are essential for fungal invasion of rice roots. Significance Statement: The apocarotenoids strigolactone and blumenol are both associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Servanté et al. report divergent regulation of each compound despite the partially shared biosynthetic pathway, thereby highlighting the involvement of distinct tissues and signalling cues at different stages of the interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A range of fungal species showed variable abilities to colonize and penetrate a mortar substrate. Calcium biomineralization was a common feature with calcium-containing crystals deposited in the microenvironment or encrusting hyphae, regardless of the specific mortar composition. Several species caused significant damage to the mortar surface, exhibiting burrowing and penetration, surface etching, and biomineralization. In some cases, extensive biomineralization of hyphae, probably by carbonatization, resulted in the formation of crystalline tubes after hyphal degradation on mortar blocks, including those amended with Co or Sr carbonate. Ca was the only metal detected in the biomineralized formations with Co or Sr undetectable. Aspergillus niger , Stemphylium sp. and Paecilomyces sp. could penetrate mortar with differential responses depending on the porosity. Fluorescent staining of thin sections recorded penetration depths of ∼530 um for A. niger and ∼620 um for Stemphylium sp. Penetration depth varied inversely with porosity and greater penetration depths were achieved in mortar with a lower porosity (lower water/cement ratio). These results have provided further understanding of biodeteriorative fungal interactions with cementitious substrates that can clearly affect structural integrity. The potential significance of fungal colonization and such biodeteriorative phenomena should not be overlooked in built environment contexts, including radionuclide storage and surface decontamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to analyze tree, as well as forest floor and topsoil (0–10 cm) changes, within a period of 37 years and related impact on forest growth in an oak ecosystem in northern Greece. The study was carried out in the area of the Taxiarhis University forest, which is located in central Halkidiki. In the experimental plot, the tree age was 70–72 years, the forest stand was healthy, and the site quality was medium. The parent material of the study area is schist and the topsoil is characterized by high organic matter content and a sandy clay loam texture. For the purpose of this research project, forest floor (O1 + O2) and soil (0–5 and 5–10 cm) samples were collected from 30 sampling points. To study the mycorrhizal colonization (%), 15 root samples were taken. The average tree height in 1981 was 14.2 m and in 2018, it was 19.3 m. The diameter increased by 4.05 and 5.40 cm within 17 (2001–2018) and 37 years (1981–2018), respectively, and the trees grew 5.1 m taller. Higher radial increment (4.2 cm/20 years) was observed only in the predominant trees. In 2018, the forest floor increased its weight by 18.273 kg/ha, compared with 37 years ago. Nutrient amounts increased and there was a balance between the quantity of organic matter on the forest floor and the topsoil. Most of the nutrient amounts in the forest floor and topsoil were higher in 2018 compared with 1981 and the acidity of the soil decreased. Moreover, most of the nutrient amounts were found much higher in the upper part of the topsoil (0–5 cm) than in the forest floor, except for phosphorus, iron, copper, and zinc. No significant statistical differences were found for the C/N ratio between 2001 and 2018. The study results highlight the importance of letting oak ecosystems grow and mature rather than cutting them down within the short period of 30–70 years. Also, the importance of coexistence, of ecosystems interconnections, the trees' resilience to stressors such as drought, and the role of mycorrhizal colonization are addressed. Concluding comments address the significance of soil properties in relation to sustainability, especially in the context of the ongoing climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary caries is one of the main reasons for dental filling replacement. There is a need to obtain dental restorative material that is able to act against caries-inducing microorganisms. This study explores the antimicrobial properties of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DODAB)-modified photo-cured experimental dental composites against Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans was assessed by using an Accuri C6 flow cytofluorimeter, and then analyzed using BD CSampler software (1.0.264). Bacterial/yeast surface colonization was carried out by using an GX71 inverted-optics fluorescence microscope equipped with a DP 73 digital camera. For bactericidal surface analysis of each sample type, simultaneous standardization was performed using a positive control (live cells) and a negative control (dead cells). A positive correlation between the increasing concentration of CTAB or DODAB and the dead cell ratio of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans was revealed. In particular, CTAB at a 2.0 wt% concentration exhibits superior efficiency against pathogens (65.0% dead cells of Escherichia coli, 73.9% dead cells of Streptococcus mutans, and 23.9% dead cells of Candida albicans after 60 min). However, Candida albicans is more resistant to used salts than bacteria. A CTAB- or DODAB-modified experimental dental composite exhibits antimicrobial potential against Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans after 10 and 60 min of incubation, and the antimicrobial efficiency increases with the wt% of QAS in the tested material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) has long been vital to Cuban agriculture, with its products renowned for their quality. Cuban tobacco is grown in soils with a long history of continuous farming using traditional fertilization methods characterized by recommended doses of mineral fertilizers. This study aims to improve the nutrition resource strategy in tobacco cultivation to ensure high yields of superior-grade tobacco leaves with adequate quality and increase fertilization efficiency. With this goal, a field experiment evaluated the traditional method of fallow with alternatives of nutrient supply systems for the production of black tobacco in Ultic Paleustalf soils. The experiment utilized Canavalia ensiformis (Can) treated with a mycorrhizal inoculum (AMF) based on the Glomus cubense strain (INCAM-4) as a preceding green manure, combined with successive mineral fertilizations for tobacco during four growing seasons in a randomized block design with factorial arrangement. Canavalia presented a positive response to mycorrhizal inoculation, significantly increasing dry biomass production (87.34%, 129.96%), mycorrhizal colonization (26.90%, 103.66%), and spore production (26.79%, 52.52%) for Can and Can+AMF treatments respectively. A biplot analysis established a strong relationship between the biomass and mycorrhizal performance of Canavalia and the growth, yield, and mycorrhizal colonization of tobacco. The results indicate that inoculated Canavalia enhances mycorrhizal performance in successional tobacco, with Can+AMF significantly increasing mycorrhization of tobacco roots by (110.06%). Moreover, the combination of Can inoculate with AMF and 75% of the recommended mineral fertilization dose consistently produced the highest tobacco yields (42.06%), growth, and mycorrhizal activity across the four years while maintaining satisfactory combustibility. In this nutrition supply system, variations of the recommended fertilizer dose significantly decreased the percentage of mycorrhizal colonization. After four growing seasons using Can + AMF and Canavalia without inoculations, soil organic matter, and availability of exchangeable calcium, magnesium, and pH increased slightly without decreasing available phosphorus and potassium contents. Consequently, we conclude that Canavalia ensiformis, with an inoculum based on the Glomus cubense strain and 75% of the recommended dose of mineral fertilizers, provides an enhanced nutrition alternative system for black tobacco production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeasts derived from fermented foods have historically been known for their organoleptic properties, enriching nutritional values, and producing bioactive metabolites with therapeutic potential. In this review, we discuss the yeast flora in fermented foods, their functional aspects in fermentation, as well as their probiotic and biotherapeutic properties. These yeasts have numerous physical and biochemical characteristics, such as larger cells as compared to bacteria, a rigid cell wall composed primarily of glucans and mannans, natural resistance to antibiotics, and the secretion of secondary metabolites that are both pleasing to the consumer and beneficial to the host's health and well-being. The review also focused on therapeutic applications of probiotic yeasts derived from fermented foods on infections associated with Candida species. These potential probiotic yeasts present an additional avenue to treat dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and prevent health complications that arise from opportunistic fungal colonization, especially drug-resistant superbugs, which are highlighted in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flooding is a critical factor that limits the establishment of a symbiosis between rice and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in wetland ecosystems. The distribution of carbon resources in roots and the acclimation strategies of rice to flooding stress in the presence of AMF are poorly understood. We conducted a root box experiment, employing nylon sheets or nylon meshes to create separate fungal chambers that either prevented or allowed the roots and any molecules to pass through. We found that the mycorrhizal colonization rate and the expression of genes OsD14L and OsCERK1, which are involved in fungal perception during symbiosis, both increased in mycorrhizal rice roots following intermittent flooding compared to continuous flooding. Furthermore, AMF inoculation affected root morphological traits, facilitating both shallower and deeper soil exploration. Increased submergence intensity led to carbohydrate deprivation in roots, while high mycorrhizal colonization increased soil oxygen consumption and decreased the neutral lipid concentration in roots. However, mycorrhizal inoculation increased the rice photosynthesis rate and facilitated acclimation to submergence by mediating the expression of the genes OsCIPK15 and OsSUB1A to enhance rice shoot elongation and the sugar concentration in roots as a result of reduced competition for carbon between rice and AMF under different flooding conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Chestnut fruit quality is affected by fungal contamination. The study of the patterns of contamination in the postharvest is crucial to individuate the critical phases and propose solutions. To understand how fungal colonization varies on fruits, the composition of mycobiota was investigated in postharvest handling and in between tissues (shell and kernel).Fungal sequences were clustered into 308 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Biodiversity was higher in shell than kernel tissues. Results evidenced the risk of new contamination in specific phases such as the ‘cold bath’ and storage. Genera known as mycotoxin producers were detected in all phases. Specifically, 47 OTUs belonging to Penicillium, eight to Fusarium and two to Aspergillus genera were identified. While Fusarium spp. was sensitive to ‘warm bath’ phase, Penicillium spp. was largely insensitive and accumulated in storage conditions. Surprisingly, Aspergillus spp. was poorly represented. Aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, fumonisins and T‐2/HT‐2 detection was performed for shell and kernel, and process phases. Higher contamination was observed on shell than in kernel samples. While aflatoxins were within the European Union (EU) limits for dry fruits, Ochratoxin exceeded the EU limits. The present study represents the first report of fumonisins and T‐2/HT‐2 detection in chestnuts.Fungal contamination taxa is high in chestnut fruits following postharvest handling and storage. A parametrization of process phases such as the ‘warm bath’ is functional to reduce the risk for some taxa. For other spoilage and mycotoxigenic genera strict sanitation procedures of equipment and water must be individuated and implemented to reduce their impact. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asparagus stem blight, a highly destructive disease in global asparagus cultivation, is caused by the fungus Phomopsis asparagi. However, the underlying mechanisms of the infectious process and pathogenesis of P. asparagi remain poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the infection event of P. asparagi at the cytological and ultrastructural levels in asparagus stem through a microscopic observation. The host responses were also examined by microscopic observation and fluorescent probe. It revealed that P. asparagi germinated at either the tip or the middle of the conidia to produce short germ tubes on the surfaces of the asparagus stem at 20 h post-inoculation (hpi). The germ tubes penetrated the host cell wall with appressorium-like structures or narrow pegs at 1 day post-inoculation (dpi). At 3 − 5 dpi, a large number of P. asparagi hyphae colonized the epidermal cells. The hyphae were found to grow both intracellularly and intercellularly. The movement of hyphae between cells was facilitated by constricted invasive hyphae pegs. The hyphae exhibited bidirectional intracellular growth, extending and branching along the inner side of the cell wall within the stem cortex and towards the central cylinder. The fungal colonization resulted in cellular damage in plants, which is characterized by plasmolysis, rupture of the cell wall, and disruption of the cytoplasm. At 11 dpi, the fungi penetrated the parenchyma cells, and the fungal pycnidia were formed. At 13 dpi, the fungi penetrated the stem center parenchyma cell, where the conidia were released. In addition, the host defense response was investigated, which revealed a notably reduced germination rate of conidium, the formation of callose analogs, and the reactive oxygen burst. These findings provide unexpected perspectives on the infection process and host response in P. asparagi-plant interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Nutrient limitation may constrain the ability of recovering and mature tropical forests to serve as a carbon sink. However, it is unclear to what extent trees can utilize nutrient acquisition strategies – especially root phosphatase enzymes and mycorrhizal symbioses – to overcome low nutrient availability across secondary succession.Using a large‐scale, full factorial nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization experiment of 76 plots along a secondary successional gradient in lowland wet tropical forests of Panama, we tested the extent to which root phosphatase enzyme activity and mycorrhizal colonization are flexible, and if investment shifts over succession, reflective of changing nutrient limitation. We also conducted a meta‐analysis to test how tropical trees adjust these strategies in response to nutrient additions and across succession.We find that tropical trees are dynamic, adjusting investment in strategies – particularly root phosphatase – in response to changing nutrient conditions through succession. These changes reflect a shift from strong nitrogen to weak phosphorus limitation over succession. Our meta‐analysis findings were consistent with our field study; we found more predictable responses of root phosphatase than mycorrhizal colonization to nutrient availability.Our findings suggest that nutrient acquisition strategies respond to nutrient availability and demand in tropical forests, likely critical for alleviating nutrient limitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand whether domestication had an impact on susceptibility and responsiveness to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), we investigated two tomato cultivars (“M82” and “Moneymaker”) and a panel of wild relatives including S. neorickii, S. habrochaites and S. pennellii encompassing the whole Lycopersicon clade. Most genotypes revealed good AM colonisation levels when inoculated with the AMF Funneliformis mosseae. By contrast, both S. pennellii accessions analysed showed a very low colonisation, but with normal arbuscule morphology, and a negative response in terms of root and shoot biomass. This behaviour was independent of fungal identity and environmental conditions. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed in S. pennellii the lack of genes identified within QTLs for AM colonisation, a limited transcriptional reprogramming upon mycorrhization and a differential regulation of strigolactones and AM‐related genes compared to tomato. Donor plants experiments indicated that the AMF could represent a cost for S. pennellii: F. mosseae could extensively colonise the root only when it was part of a mycorrhizal network, but a higher mycorrhization led to a higher inhibition of plant growth. These results suggest that genetics and functional traits of S. pennellii are responsible for the limited extent of AMF colonisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil epifoliar fungi are valuable indicators of paleoenvironment and paleoecology. The Meliolaceae, members of which typically inhabit the surface of living plants as biotrophs or pathogens, is one of the largest groups of epifoliar fungi. In this study, we report a novel fossil species of Meliolinites Selkirk (fossil Meliolaceae), Meliolinites tengchongensis, on the lower epidermis of compressed fossil Rhodoleia (Hamamelidaceae) leaves from the Upper Pliocene Mangbang Formation of Tengchong, Yunnan, southwestern China. Meliolinites tengchongensis is characterized by web-like, superficial, brown to dark brown, septate, and branching mycelia bearing 2-celled appressoria and unicellular phialides. The fungal colonies also include ellipsoidal, 5-celled, 4-septate ascospores and dark brown perithecia with suborbicular outline and verrucose surface. The well-preserved vegetative and reproductive organs help us to explore the potential disease process of the new fossil species. Besides, the presence of fungal remains indicates that the fungal taxon might have maintained its host preference since at least the Late Pliocene. Furthermore, the occurrence of both fossil fungi and their host plants in Tengchong indicate a subtropical–tropical, warm, and humid climate during the Late Pliocene, whereas the distribution pattern of the fungi on the host leaves suggests that Rhodoleia may have been a part of the middle–upper canopies in the Tengchong Late Pliocene multilayered forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi of the genus Tuber are famous for their hypogeous ascomata (truffles), many of which possess noteworthy organoleptic properties. T. aestivum shows a wide geographic distribution, has many plant symbionts and is well adapted to various climatic conditions. In this study, five Quercus taxa native to Greece (i.e., Q. coccifera, Q. ilex, Q. ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis, Q. pubescens and Q. trojana subsp. trojana) were inoculated with spore suspensions obtained from a single ascoma of T. aestivum. The fungal colonization of oak roots was evaluated at three, seven and 12 months after inoculation; the respective colonization rates for each time period were as follows: low to medium (17–41%) for Q. pubescens, Q. ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis and Q. trojana subsp. trojana, medium to relatively high (58–80%) for Q. ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis, Q. ilex, Q. pubescens and Q. trojana subsp. trojana, and medium to high (45–87%) for all oak species examined. Positive correlations were assessed between the number of colonized root tips and the total root tips number, but no significant differences were detected between the inoculated plants and the respective control as regards plant growth. The ectomycorrhizae formed by T. aestivum with Q. ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis and Q. trojana subsp. trojana are described for the first time. The outcome of the study evidences the feasibility of generating the seedlings of various indigenous oak species (covering a large range of diverse habitats) successfully inoculated with autochthonous truffles to be readily used for cultivation purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tiny terrestrial orchids (plant height less than 8 cm) in the genus Corybas dependent on mycorrhizal fungal (OMF) partners for seed germination and seedling development. The OMF community of the Corybas remains poorly understood, although the relevant knowledge is very important for in situ and ex situ conservation of these orchids. In this study, we characterized OMF richness and compositions of three helmet-orchid species, i.e., Corybas geminigibbus, C. himalaicus, and C. shanlinshiensis, from their natural habitats by using Illumina sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 2 region. We found that fungal colonization was restricted in the rhizomes of the helmet-orchids instead of their tuberoids, and serendipitoid fungi were predominant, while tulasnelloid were absent in the three investigated Corybas species regardless of their altitude. The three Corybas species shared 27 serendipitoid operational taxonomic units that are different to those of their related orchids, the genera of Cyrtostylis and Stigmatodactylus. Corybas shanlinshiensis alone had a range of ectomycorrhizal fungi (mainly russuloid and thelephoroid) broader than C. himalaicus and C. geminigibbus. Our study provides new information about terrestrial orchid–fungi associations and may further contribute to orchid conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Plant microbial biostimulants, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), enhance nutrient concentration in fruits, including tomato. However, field studies on tomato AMF inoculation are scarce. AMF species belonging to Gigasporaceae and Glomeraceae families known to vary in life-history strategies may determine differential effects on plant nutrient benefits and residue decomposition. Despite this, the effect of different life-history strategies on nutrient acquisition of tomato fruits has not been investigated yet. Methods: We studied the effect of inoculation of two tomato varieties with four AMF species belonging to Glomeraceae and Gigasporaceae. Fungal colonization, yield, fruit nutrient concentration, litter decomposition, and bacterial and fungal abundances in soil were assessed in the field under organic agriculture. Results: Overall Gigasporaceae promoted the concentration of nutrients in tomato fruits compared to Glomeraceae. A variability in AM fungal colonization and fruit nutrient concentration was detected within Glomeraceae. Scutellospora pellucida increased the yield (+ 27%) of var. Rio Grande with respect to Gigaspora gigantea. In var. Rio Grande, inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae did not change litter decomposition as compared to non-inoculated controls, whereas it was lower than in Sclerocystis sinuosa and Gigasporaceae species, which showed the highest decomposition rates. AMF inoculation promoted soil total bacterial and fungal abundance and fungal:bacterial (F:B) ratio compared to controls, and members of Gigasporaceae had the highest F:B ratio. Conclusion: These findings pointed at the inclusion of AM fungal life-history strategy within the selection criteria for the development of biofertilizers able to enhance the nutritional value of vegetables under organic farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of endophytic fungal community characteristics between healthy and root rot-diseased Panax notoginseng, as well as the distribution pattern in different plant tissues and their changes with growth years. [Methods] 1-year-old and 2-year-old of healthy and root rot-diseased P. notoginseng were randomly collected and the endophytic fungi in their roots and stems were isolated by tissue isolation method. Based on morphological characteristics and ITS sequence analysis, the isolated strains were classified and identified, and the community composition and diversity of endophytic fungal community were analyzed. [Results] A total of 966 endophytic fungi strains were isolated and identified, which belonged to 3 phyla, 5 classes, 14 orders, 25 families and 31 genera. The number and isolation rate of endophytic isolates were as follows: diseased plant> healthy plant, 2-year-old P. notoginseng >1-year-old P. notoginseng, root>stem. The composition of the culturable endophytic fungi in healthy and root rot-diseased P. notoginseng was quite different, of which the genus Aspergillus, Irpex, Chaetomium, and Penicillium were the dominant endophytic fungi in the healthy P. notoginseng, while the predominant culturable endophytic fungi of root rot-diseased P. notoginseng were Fusarium, Aspergillus, Talaromyces, Chaetomium, and Trichoderma. The composition and diversity of endophytic fungi of P. notoginseng was significantly affected by plant tissues. Specially, the isolation frequency of genus Fusarium from roots of root rot-diseased P. notoginseng was 52%, which was significantly higher than that from the stems of 11.2%. Beneficial fungi such as Trichoderma and Talaromyces were also frequently isolated from diseased roots, with the isolation frequencies of 11.0% and 14.5%, respectively. Moreover, the diversity, richness, and evenness of endophytic fungal community in stems of P. notoginseng were higher than those in roots. With the increase of growth years, the composition and diversity of endophytic fungal community of healthy and root rot- diseased P. notoginseng also changed, and the isolation frequency of Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani in diseased P. notoginseng increased greatly, reaching 14.5% and 32.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the diversity, richness, and evenness of endophytic fungal community in healthy P. notoginseng increased gradually with growth year, while the diversity and evenness of endophytic fungal community in root rot-diseased P. notoginseng were gradually declined. [Conclusions] P. notoginseng harbored a rich diversity of endophytic fungi and its colonization quantity and community composition were significantly distinct between healthy and root rot- diseased plants. Moreover, plant tissues and growth ages also significantly affected the diversity and composition of endophytic fungal community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperaccumulator plants are a botanical curiosity that have allowed the development of agromining of metals, with a special focus on nickel. In nickel agromining, this element is recovered from ashed hyperaccumulators cultivated on metal‐rich soils. In order to explore bio‐based approaches for the decomposition of hyperaccumulator biomass and nickel recovery that do not include burning, we performed a vermicomposting experiment using the earthworm species Eisenia andrei and the biomass of Bornmuellera emarginata (which contained almost 1% of nickel). We conducted our experiment for 12 weeks and assessed the decomposition process of the hyperaccumulator biomass, changes in earthworm number and biomass, and changes in nickel concentration and mobility. Despite the initial mortality and an increase of Ni concentration in earthworm tissues, E. andrei was able to decompose B. emarginata biomass. This process also showed a massive colonization of the biomass by a fungus during the first weeks of the assay. Our results indicate that the vermicomposted hyperaccumulator biomass had a higher nickel concentration than the starting material but the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid‐extractable nickel decreased. At the same time, due to earthworm activity, the nickel was redistributed and diluted in the vermicompost bedding, reducing the interest of this approach for agromining, but opening the perspective of using the vermicomposted hyperaccumulator biomass as an organic amendment in nickel‐deficient crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) is part of the search for strategies to achieve food security in a sustainable way. However, its usefulness in crop production has not been sufficiently demonstrated and its consequences on soil microorganisms are still unclear. In this study, the combined effect of ZnO NPs and inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on growth, yield, and antioxidant capacity of Capsicum chinense Jacq. was analyzed. Additionally, the effect of ZnO NPs on mycorrhizal colonization and dependency was evaluated. For this purpose, a greenhouse experiment was performed in which 0, 1.2, 12, and 240 mg kg−1 of ZnO NPs were applied to mycorrhized and non-mycorrhized plants. Fresh and dry biomass, fruit yield, and antioxidant capacity were quantified, as well as colonization percentage and mycorrhizal dependency. It was found that the ZnO NPs 240 mg kg−1 dose increased plant fresh aerial biomass and antioxidant capacity, while all ZnO NPs doses increased fruit biomass. On the other hand, the 12 and 240 mg kg−1 doses decreased mycorrhizal dependency, but no ZnO NPs dose affected mycorrhizal colonization. In turn, the inoculation with AMF increased all growth and fruit yield variables, but not the antioxidant capacity of habanero pepper. Besides, an antagonistic effect on fruit biomass was found between the addition of ZnO NPs and the inoculation with AMF. These results demonstrate that the application of ZnO NPs within the dosage range of 1.2 to 240 mg kg−1 enhances the yield of C. chinense without impacting its mycorrhizal interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Plants have adapted to acquire phosphorus (P) primarily through advantageous root morphologies, responsive physiological pathways and associations with mycorrhizal fungi. Yet, to date, little information exists on how variation in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization is coordinated with root morphological and physiological traits to enhance P acquisition. Methods Thirteen root functional traits associated with P acquisition were characterized at full bloom stage in pot cultures under low soil P availability conditions for 13 soybean genotypes contrasting in AM colonization. Key Results Significant variation in root functional traits was observed in response to low P stress among the 13 tested soybean genotypes contrasting in AM colonization. Genotypes with low AM colonization exhibited greater root proliferation but with less advantageous root physiological characteristics for P acquisition. In contrast, genotypes with high AM colonization exhibited less root growth but higher phosphatase activities and carboxylate content in the rhizosheath. Root dry weights, and contents of carbon and P were positively correlated with root morphological traits of different root orders and whole root systems, and were negatively correlated with AM colonization of fine roots and whole root systems, as well as rhizosheath phosphatase activities and carboxylate contents. These results taken in combination with a significant positive correlation between plant P content and root morphological traits indicate that root morphological traits play a primary role in soybean P acquisition. Conclusions The results suggest that efficient P acquisition involves tradeoffs among carbon allocation to root proliferation, mycorrhizal symbiosis or P-mobilizing exudation. Complementarity and complexity in the selection of P acquisition strategies was notable among soybean genotypes contrasting in AM colonization, which is closely related to plant C budgeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Enteric fungi diversity was markedly altered in IIR injury. • Fungal colonization or mannan could alleviate IIR injury by decreasing GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis of IECs. • The protective role of fungi in IIR injury depends on macrophage involvement. • Single-fungal strains and mannan both alleviate GSDMD cleavage induced by reducing SAA1 expression of macrophages. Prophylactic antifungal therapy has been widely used for critical patients, but it has failed to improve patient prognosis and has become a hot topic. This may be related to disruption of fungal homeostasis, but the mechanism of fungi action is not clear. As a common pathway in critical patients, intestinal ischemia–reperfusion (IIR) injury is fatal and regulated by gut microbiota. However, the exact role of enteric fungi in IIR injury remains unclear. This is a clinical study that aims to provide new perspectives in clarifying the underlying mechanism of IIR injury and propose potential strategies that could be relevant for the prevention and treatment of IIR injury in the near future. ITS sequencing was performed to detect the changes in fungi before and after IIR injury. The composition of enteric fungi was altered by pretreatment with single-fungal strains, fluconazole and mannan, respectively. Intestinal morphology and function impairment were evaluated in the IIR injury mouse model. Intestinal epithelial MODE-K cells and macrophage RAW264.7 cells were cultured for in vitro tests. Fecal fungi diversity revealed the obvious alteration in IIR patients and mice, accompanied by intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction. Fungal colonization and mannan supplementation could reverse intestinal morphology and function impairment that were exacerbated by fluconazole via inhibiting the expression of SAA1 from macrophages and decreasing pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells. Clodronate liposomes were used to deplete the number of macrophages, and it was demonstrated that the protective effect of mannan was dependent on macrophage involvement. This finding firstly validates that enteric fungi play a crucial role in IIR injury. Preventive antifungal treatment should consider damaging fungal balance. This study provides a novel clue to clarify the role of enteric fungi in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) is a surgical emergency with a high mortality rate. PPUs cause secondary peritonitis due to bacterial and fungal peritoneal contamination. Surgery is the main treatment modality and patient's comorbidites impacts perioperative morbidity and surgical outcomes. Even after surgery, resuscitation efforts should continue. While empiric antibiotics are recommended, the role of empiric anti-fungal treatment is unclear due to a lack of scientific evidence. This literature review demonstrated a paucity of studies evaluating the role of empiric anti-fungals in PPUs, and with conflicting results. Studies were heterogeneous in terms of patient demographics and underlying surgical pathology (PPUs vs. any gastrointestinal perforation), type of anti-fungal agent, timing of administration and duration of use. Other considerations include the need to differentiate between fungal colonization vs. invasive fungal infection. Despite positive fungal isolates from fluid culture, it is important for clinical judgement to identify the right group of patients for anti-fungal administration. Biochemistry investigations including new fungal biomarkers may help to guide management. Multidisciplinary discussions may help in decision making for this conundrum. Moving forward, further research may be conducted to select the right group of patients who may benefit from empiric anti-fungal use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic production systems are increasingly gaining market share; however, there are still few studies on their influence on the activity of soil microorganisms in sugarcane. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are extremely sensitive to environmental changes, and their activity can be used as a parameter of comparison and quality between organic and conventional systems. The objective of this work was to evaluate mycorrhizal activity in different varieties of sugarcane under two production systems. This work was carried out in a commercial plantation of the Jalles Machado plant in the municipality of Goianésia in Goiás, Brazil. The values of spore density in the soil, mycorrhizal colonization rate in the roots and easily extractable glomalin were evaluated, and the associated fungal species were identified. There was no effect of sugarcane variety on the number of spores or the glomalin content in the soil. The conventional system presented significantly lower mycorrhizal colonization rates than did the organic system. The varieties cultivated under the conventional planting system showed a greater diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, where 12 of the 13 different species of mycorrhizal fungi found in both cultivation systems occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood decay fungi alter the abiotic and biotic properties of deadwood, which are important as nurse logs for seedling regeneration. However, the relationship between fungal decay type and seedling performance has not been evaluated experimentally. In this study, we examined the germination, growth, and survival of six arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and six ectomycorrhizal (ECM) tree species on three substrates (pine logs with brown and white rot and soil) by conducting seed‐sowing experiments in a mixed forest dominated by Pinus densiflora and Quercus serrata. Analysis using ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (rDNA ITS1) sequencing revealed that the fungal community was significantly different across three substrates. The richness of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of AM and ECM fungi was the largest on brown rot logs and soil, respectively. The substrate significantly affected the seedling performance when comparing wood decay types, but these were not consistent across the mycorrhizal status of the seedlings. Nevertheless, seedlings of some AM trees showed better growth and enhanced mycorrhizal colonization on brown rot logs than on white rot logs. The wood decay type influenced fungal communities in the logs and the performance of some seedling species partly by different mycorrhizal colonization rates. However, the effect was seedling species dependent and showed no apparent difference between AM and ECM trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gymnosperms encompass a diverse group of mostly woody plants with high ecological and economic value, yet little is known about the scope and organization of fine‐root trait diversity among gymnosperms due to the undersampling of most gymnosperm families and the dominance of angiosperm groups in recent syntheses.New and existing data were compiled for morphological traits (root diameter, length, tissue density, specific root length [SRL] and specific root area [SRA]), the architectural trait branching ratio, root nitrogen content [N] and mycorrhizal colonization. We used phylogenetic least squares regression and principal component analysis to determine trait–trait relationships and coordination across 66 species, representing 11 of the 12 extant gymnosperm families from boreal, temperate, subtropical and tropical biomes. Finally, we compared the relationship between family divergence time and mean trait values to determine whether evolutionary history structured variation in fine‐root traits within the gymnosperm phylogeny.Wide variation in gymnosperm root traits could be largely captured by two primary axes of variation defined by SRL and diameter, and root tissue density and root nitrogen, respectively. However, individual root length and SRA each had significant correlations with traits defining both main axes of variation. Neither mycorrhizal colonization nor root branching ratio were closely related to other traits. We did not observe a directional evolution of mean trait values from older to more recently diverged gymnosperm families.Synthesis. Despite their unique evolutionary history, gymnosperms display a root economic space similar to that identified in angiosperms, likely reflecting common constraints on plants adapting to diverse environments in both groups. These findings provide greater confidence that patterns observed in broad syntheses justly capture patterns of trait diversity among multiple, distinct lineages. Additionally, independence between root architecture and other traits may support greater diversity in below‐ground resource acquisition strategies. Unlike angiosperms, there were no clear trends towards increasingly thin roots over evolutionary time, possibly because of lower diversification rates or unique biogeographic history among gymnosperms, though additional observations are needed to more richly test evolutionary trends among gymnosperms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucalyptus roots form symbiotic relationships with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in soil to enhance adaptation in challenging environments. However, the evolution of the AM fungal community along a chronosequence of eucalypt plantations and its relationship with soil properties remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the tree growth, soil properties, and root AM fungal colonization of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden plantations at different ages, identified the AM fungal community composition by high-throughput sequencing, and developed a structural equation model among trees, soil, and AM fungi. Key findings include the following: (1) The total phosphorus (P) and total potassium (K) in the soil underwent an initial reduction followed by a rise with different stand ages. (2) The rate of AM colonization decreased first and then increased. (3) The composition of the AM fungal community changed significantly with different stand ages, but there was no significant change in diversity. (4) Paraglomus and Glomus were the dominant genera, accounting for 70.1% and 21.8% of the relative abundance, respectively. (5) The dominant genera were mainly influenced by soil P, the N content, and bulk density, but the main factors were different with stand ages. The results can provide a reference for fertilizer management and microbial formulation manufacture for eucalyptus plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial necromass is increasingly recognized as an important fast‐cycling component of the long‐term carbon present in soils. To better understand how fungi and bacteria individually contribute to the decomposition of fungal necromass, three particle sizes (>500, 250–500, and <250 μm) of Hyaloscypha bicolor necromass were incubated in laboratory microcosms inoculated with individual strains of two fungi and two bacteria. Decomposition was assessed after 15 and 28 days via necromass loss, microbial respiration, and changes in necromass pH, water content, and chemistry. To examine how fungal–bacterial interactions impact microbial growth on necromass, single and paired cultures of bacteria and fungi were grown in microplates containing necromass‐infused media. Microbial growth was measured after 5 days through quantitative PCR. Regardless of particle size, necromass colonized by fungi had higher mass loss and respiration than both bacteria and uninoculated controls. Fungal colonization increased necromass pH, water content, and altered chemistry, while necromass colonized by bacteria remained mostly unaltered. Bacteria grew significantly more when co‐cultured with a fungus, while fungal growth was not significantly affected by bacteria. Collectively, our results suggest that fungi act as key early decomposers of fungal necromass and that bacteria may require the presence of fungi to actively participate in necromass decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Plant functional traits are frequently proposed as influential factors in species distribution. However, there is a gap in assessing how plant resource‐economic traits relate to the size and shape of a species' geographical range, and to what extent these relationships are conserved over evolutionary history. Specifically, an acquisitive strategy (characterized by heightened metabolism, shorter lifespan and quicker generation turnover) may promote isotropic range formations, resulting in less elongated and larger ranges. Here, I tested this link using data from 98 native European tree species. Location: Palaearctic. Time period: Present. Major taxa studied: Trees. Methods: I used chorological maps to quantify two independent range attributes: species' range area and elongation. I considered 28 functional traits linked to resource‐use strategy measured in above‐ and below‐ground organs. I used multi‐response phylogenetic mixed models to calculate the conservative trait correlation (CTC) and the phylogenetically independent correlation (IND) component of each functional trait with range area and elongation. Results: Range area positively correlated with resource acquisitive strategies, while range elongation correlated with resource conservative strategies. This pattern was consistent across the examined traits but statistically significant in seven out of the 28 traits, including specific leaf area, specific root area and root mycorrhizal colonization. Traits related to leaf and root nutritional status exhibited the weakest relationships with range attributes. Significant correlations were more frequent in the IND component and often showed contrasting trends compared to CTC. Main conclusions: Plant resource‐use strategy emerges as a relevant factor to gain insights on what shapes species' geographical distribution, alongside more established drivers such as dispersal limitation and climatic tolerance. Trait‐range relationships are driven by processes leaving a weak phylogenetic signature. These processes may result from direct selection, where functional traits impact range attributes, or indirect effects, such as the co‐variation of ranges and traits with environmental niche optima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bivalves are known to be infected by filamentous fungi, many of which have pathogenic and toxicogenic properties, and may represent a risk to human health. The present study investigated the mycological characteristics of Perna perna obtained from Guanabara Bay, Brazil. The mussels were sealed individually in sterile bags, weighed and measured, and the internal organs were examined. The organs were grown in different culture media. All but one of the 31 mussels (96.7%) examined contained fungi, and a total of 84 fungal colonies were isolated. The genera identified were Aspergillus (40.5%), Didymella (35.7%), Penicillium (10.7%), Aureobasidium (1.2%), Cladosporium (1.2%) and Phaeoisaria (1.2%). The molecular sequences obtained 99.8 and 100% identity with Didymella sp., Phaeoisaria sp. and Aureobasidium pullulans, and were deposited in GenBank. This is the first record of Didymella and Phaeoisaria in a bivalve. The digestive gland was the organ with the greatest diversity of fungi genera. A number of the fungi identified here, as Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus japonicus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillusversicolor and Aspergillus sydowii, are known to produce mycotoxins and others are opportunistic forms, which reinforces the need for the systematic monitoring of the study area to guarantee the safe exploitation of these bivalves for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its global importance as a primary source of table sugar and bioethanol, sugarcane faces a significant threat to its production due to diseases. One of these diseases, sugarcane smut, involves the emergence of a whip-like structure from the host apical shoot. The slow onset of this pathogenesis is the most substantial challenge for researchers to investigate the molecular events leading to resistance or susceptibility. In this study, we explored the early interaction between the smut fungus Sporisorium scitamineum and foliar tissues of the model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana. Upon inoculation with the fungus, A. thaliana showed a compatible reaction, producing lesions during fungus colonization, whereas N. benthamiana showed signs of nonhost resistance. In addition, we propose a sugarcane detached leaf assay using plants cultivated in vitro to reveal sugarcane smut response outcomes. We used two sugarcane genotypes with known contrasting reactions to smut in the field. Although there is no evidence of sugarcane smut fungus infecting host leaves naturally, the sugarcane detached leaf assay enabled a rapid assessment of disease outcomes. Different symptoms in the detached leaves after inoculation distinguished smut-susceptible and smut-resistant sugarcane genotypes. Microscopic observations and gene expression analysis of S. scitamineum candidate effectors confirmed the fungal growth and its restriction on the compatible and incompatible interactions, respectively. These findings offer new prospects into the disease phenotyping of S. scitamineum, which could greatly expedite the comprehension of the initial stages of the pathogenesis and predict smut resistance in sugarcane genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can ameliorate soil fertility and boost crop yields. This paper reports a study of the effect of PGPR inoculation on Medicago sativa plants. Sixteen indigenous PGPR were isolated and screened for PGP traits. Their influence was assessed on the growth of M. sativa plants, root colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and soil enzyme activities (SEA). The bacterial isolates showed interesting PGP traits. They increased the plant's shoot and root dry weights, AM colonisation, and SEA. Two bacteria assigned to Pseudomonas koreensis and Alcaligenes faecalis were selected as effective inoculants for M. sativa plants. These PGPR may represent suitable candidates as bio-enhancers and biofertilizers in sustainable agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering current global climate change, drought stress is regarded as a major problem negatively impacting the growth of soybeans, particularly at the critical stages R3 (early pod) and R5 (seed development). Microbial inoculation is regarded as an ecologically friendly and low-cost-effective strategy for helping soybean plants withstand drought stress. The present study aimed to isolate newly drought-tolerant bacteria from native soil and evaluated their potential for producing growth-promoting substances as well as understanding how these isolated bacteria along with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could mitigate drought stress in soybean plants at critical growth stages in a field experiment. In this study, 30 Bradyrhizobium isolates and 30 rhizobacterial isolates were isolated from the soybean nodules and rhizosphere, respectively. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 was used for evaluating their tolerance to drought, and then the production of growth promotion substances was evaluated under both without/with PEG. The most effective isolates (DTB4 and DTR30) were identified genetically using 16S rRNA gene. A field experiment was conducted to study the impact of inoculation with DTB4 and DTR30 along with AMF (Glomus clarum, Funneliformis mosseae, and Gigaspora margarita) on the growth and yield of drought-stressed soybeans. Our results showed that the bioinoculant applications improved the growth traits (shoot length, root length, leaf area, and dry weight), chlorophyll content, nutrient content (N, P, and K), nodulation, and yield components (pods number, seeds weight, and grain yield) of soybean plants under drought stress (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, proline contents were decreased due to the bioinoculant applications under drought when compared to uninoculated treatments. As well as the count of bacteria, mycorrhizal colonization indices, and the activity of soil enzymes (dehydrogenase and phosphatase) were enhanced in the soybean rhizosphere under drought stress. This study's findings imply that using a mixture of bioinoculants may help soybean plants withstand drought stress, particularly during critical growth stages, and that soybean growth, productivity, and soil microbial activity were improved under drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi engage with land plants in a widespread, mutualistic endosymbiosis which provides their hosts with increased access to nutrients and enhanced biotic and abiotic stress resistance. The potential for reducing fertiliser use and improving crop resilience has resulted in rapidly increasing scientific interest. Microscopic quantification of the level of AM colonization is of fundamental importance to this research, however the methods for recording and processing these data are time-consuming and tedious. In order to streamline these processes, we have developed AMScorer, an easy-to-use Excel spreadsheet, which enables the user to record data rapidly during frommicroscopybased assays, and instantly performs the subsequent data processing steps. In our hands, AMScorer has more than halved the time required for data collection compared to paper-based methods. Subsequently, we developed AMReader, a user-friendly R package, which enables easy visualization and statistical analyses of data from AMScorer. These tools require only limited skills in Excel and R, and can accelerate research into AM symbioses, help researchers with variable resources to conduct research, and facilitate the storage and sharing of data from AM colonization assays. They are available for download at https://github.com/EJarrattBarnham/AMReader, along with an extensive user manual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is a mutualistic interaction between fungi and most land plants that is underpinned by a bidirectional exchange of nutrients. AM development is a tightly regulated process that encompasses molecular communication for reciprocal recognition, fungal accommodation in root tissues and activation of symbiotic function. As such, a complex network of transcriptional regulation and molecular signaling underlies the cellular and metabolic reprogramming of host cells upon AM fungal colonization. In addition to transcription factors, small RNAs (sRNAs) are emerging as important regulators embedded in the gene network that orchestrates AM development. In addition to controlling cell‐autonomous processes, plant sRNAs also function as mobile signals capable of moving to different organs and even to different plants or organisms that interact with plants. AM fungi also produce sRNAs; however, their function in the AM symbiosis remains largely unknown. Here, we discuss the contribution of host sRNAs in the development of AM symbiosis by considering their role in the transcriptional reprogramming of AM fungal colonized cells. We also describe the characteristics of AM fungal‐derived sRNAs and emerging evidence for the bidirectional transfer of functional sRNAs between the two partners to mutually modulate gene expression and control the symbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular wilt disease, caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum (Fo), poses a threat to many crop species. Four different tomato resistance (R) genes (I-1, I-2, I-3, and I-7) have been identified to confer protection against Fo f.sp. lycopersici (Fol). These I genes are root-expressed and mount an immune response upon perception of the invading fungus. Despite immune activation, Fol is still able to colonize the xylem vessels of resistant tomato lines. Yet, the fungus remains localized in the vessels and does not colonize adjacent tissues or cause disease. The molecular mechanism constraining Fol in the vascular system of the stem remains unclear. We here demonstrate that an I-2-resistant rootstock protects a susceptible scion from Fusarium wilt, notwithstanding fungal colonization of the susceptible scion. Proteomic analyses revealed the presence of fungal effectors in the xylem sap of infected plants, showing that the lack of fungal pathogenicity is not due to its inability to express its virulence genes. To identify mobile root-derived proteins, potentially involved in controlling fungal proliferation, comparative xylem sap proteomics was performed. We identified distinct pathogenesis-related (PR) protein profiles in xylem sap from Fol-inoculated I-1, I-2, I-3, and I-7 resistant lines. Despite structural diversity, all four immune receptors trigger the accumulation of a common set of four PR proteins: PR-5x, PR-P2, and two glucan endo-1,3-β-Dglucosidases. This research provides insights into Fusarium resistance mechanisms and identifies a core set of proteins whose abundance correlates with defense against Fusarium wilt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fungal biodeteriogens of a cultural heritage church are isolated and identified. • P. chartarum and B. pseudobassiana are described first as fungal biodeteriogens. • Antifungal proteins (NFAP and NFAP2) inhibit the growth of biodeterioration fungi. • Application of NFAP and NFAP2 on wall model reduces the fungus-infected area. • The protective effect of NFAP and NFAP2 is maintained in long-term. Fungi are able to permanently damage cultural heritage buildings and stone monuments. Protection against these biodeteriogen fungi is challenging because it may require the use of drastic techniques to remove fungal colonies and chemicals, which can cause further damage, especially on mural paintings. Natural biocides are less damaging, greener, and safer and mainly include essential oils and plant-derived substances. Studies on the applicability of purified antifungal proteins in the conservation of cultural heritage buildings are lacking. In this study, we isolated mold mycoflora from the biodeteriorated inner walls of the Calvinist church of Kézdialbis (Kézdialbis, Romania) and investigated the in vitro antifungal efficacy of Neosartorya (Aspergillus) fischeri antifungal proteins, NFAP and NFAP2 against them. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed that these proteins inhibited the growth of the most commonly isolated indoor biodeteriogen fungi from the site (Aspergillus creber, Aureobasidium pullulans, Cladosporium sp. , Penicillium chrysogenum, and Parengyodontium album) and not common ones (Mucor hiemalis, Sarocladium kiliense) with different spectra and efficacies. A phytopathogen and an entomopathogen species (Pseudopithomyces chartarum and Beauveria pseudobassiana , respectively) were also isolated and described first as fungal biodeteriogens of the inner walls. Among them, P. chartarum was susceptible to NFAP2. Next, we tested the applicability of NFAP and NFAP2 in protecting cultural heritage buildings in a wall model experiment against A. creber. Topical application of both antifungal proteins significantly decreased the area infected by fungi. Scanning electron microscopy of the wall models showed that A. creber had reduced growth and conidiation in the presence of NFAP and NFAP2. This inhibitory activity was maintained for a long time. Strong UV irradiation decreased the protective effect of both proteins in the wall model. Taking into account these results, the high stability of NFAP and NFAP2 in harsh environments, and their bulk recombinant producibility, we suggest that both can be used in the protection and posttreatment of painted walls of cultural heritage buildings to clean up mural painting or to inhibit mold recolonization after mechanical, physical, or chemical decontamination. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]