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The culture of a cyanobacterium 'Anabaena' sp. was isolated from alluvial meadow soils in the south of Russia and deposited in the IPPAS collection of cultures of microalgae and cyanobacteria, Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, under the number IPPAS B-2020. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the studied strain belongs to a clade comprising the genera Sphaerospermopsis, Amphiheterocytum, Raphidiopsis, Wollea, and Neowollea, but cannot currently be assigned to any of them. The phytotoxicity and fungicidal and antioxidant activities of the strain were studied. The culture turned out to be non-toxic. Water–alcohol extract and biomass of 'Anabaena' sp. IPPAS B-2020 completely suppressed the micromycetes Fusarium culmorum, F. graminearum, and F. sporotrichioides with the maximum diameter of growth inhibition zone of 2.5 cm. The water extract of cyanobacteria 'Anabaena' sp. IPPAS B-2020 had a pronounced antioxidant activity (39.3%). Among the metabolites of 'Anabaena' sp. IPPAS B-2020, there were organic acids (citric, lactic, acetic), terpenes, alkanes, alcohols, and other low molecular weight organic compounds. The 'Anabaena' sp. IPPAS B-2020 culture is of interest for biotechnology as a producer of such important biologically active compounds as tributyl phosphate, D-limonene, squalene, and α-pinene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preliminary in silico screening of 94 compounds, including colchicine, caffeine, gramine, and their derivatives, was conducted to identify potential herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Among the compounds tested, only gramine and its 13 derivatives exhibited potential activity. These compounds were further tested against eight species of insects, three species of weeds, and four species of fungi. All of the tested alkaloids were found to be ineffective as herbicides and insecticides, but they did exhibit some fungicidal activity. Four gramine derivatives showed some activity against Phytophthora infestans, Botrytis cinerea, Zymoseptoria tritici, and Fusarium culmorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global yield of wheat is limited by Fusarium head blight (FHB), the most damaging disease of wheat accompanied by mycotoxin contamination. Use of resistant cultivars, from an economical point of view, is the most effective control method for plant diseases. Many naturally occurring secondary metabolites in plants are involved in resistance mechanisms against FHB, especially phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties which caused various colouration of the grain in wheat. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the resistance of wheat with different grain colour on the base of accumulation of deoxynivalenol (DON) in grain and other important FHB traits after inoculation with Fusarium culmorum. Visual symptom score (VSS), Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK) and reduction of grain weight per spike (GWS-R) were determined. This study compared current conventional red wheat cultivars and coloured-grain wheat cultivars or lines with blue aleurone, purple pericarp, red grain and white grain. It was found that the cultivars with a purple pericarp (e.g. Rufia) had the lowest DON content and FDK. Statistically significant interactions between grain colour and year were found for all the variables: DON, VSS, FDK, GWS-R. Red grain materials had the lowest DON levels of all the groups studied in 2016 and 2017, but not in 2018. The most constant and second lowest DON levels in all three years were found in the cultivars/lines with purple pericarp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus constitutes a crucial macronutrient for crop growth, yet its availability often limits food production. Efficient phosphorus management is crucial for enhancing crop yields and ensuring food security. This study aimed to enhance the efficiency of a short-chain polyphosphate (PolyP) fertilizer by integrating it with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) to improve nutrient solubilization and wheat growth. Specifically, the study investigated the effects of various bacterial strains on wheat germination and growth when used in conjunction with PolyP. To achieve this, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in which the wheat rhizosphere was amended with a short-chain PolyP fertilizer. Based on the morphological aspect, eight bacteria, designated P1 to P8, were isolated and further characterized. Plant growth-promoting traits were observed in all bacterial strains, as they presented the ability to produce Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) in significant amounts ranging from 7.5 ± 0.3 µg/mL to 44.1 ± 2 µg/mL, expressed by B. tropicus P4 and P. soyae P1, respectively. They also produced ammonia, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and siderophores. Their effect against the plant pathogen Fusarium culmorum was also assessed, with P. reinekei P2 demonstrating the highest biocontrol activity as it presented a total inhibitory effect. Additionally, some strains exhibited the ability to solubilize/hydrolyze phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. In vivo, the initial growth potential of wheat seeds indicated that those inoculated with the isolated strains exhibited elevated germination rates and enhanced root growth. Based on their plant growth-promoting traits and performance in the germination assay, three strains were selected for producing the best results, specifically phosphorus hydrolyzation/solubilization, zinc solubilization, IAA production, HCN, and siderophores production. Wheat seeds were inoculated by drenching in a bacterial suspension containing 1010 CFU/mL of log phase culture, and an in planta bioassay was conducted in a growth chamber using three selected strains (Pseudomonas soyae P1, Pseudomonas reinekei P2, and Bacillus tropicus P4), applied either individually or with PolyP on a P-deficient soil (28 mg/kg of P Olsen). Our findings demonstrated that the combination of Pseudomonas soyae P1 and PolyP achieved the highest shoot biomass, averaging 41.99 ± 0.87 g. Notably, applying P. soyae P1 or Bacillus tropicus P4 alone yielded similar results to the use of PolyP alone. At the heading growth stage, the combination of Bacillus tropicus P4 and PolyP significantly increased the Chlorophyll Content Index (CCI) to 37.02 µmol/m2, outperforming both PolyP alone (24.07 µmol/m2) and the control (23.06 µmol/m2). This study presents an innovative approach combining short-chain PolyP with bacterial biostimulants to enhance nutrient availability and plant growth. By identifying and characterizing effective bacterial strains, it offers a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) is one of the most important soilborne diseases affecting wheat production. To investigate the diversity of the pathogens causing this disease, 199 diseased wheat samples were collected from 13 cities in Shandong province. In total, 468 isolates were obtained, and from these isolates, 11 Fusarium species were identified based on phylogenetic analyses with the translation elongation factor-1a (TEF-1a), RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) gene sequences. Of these Fusarium isolates, 283 were identified as Fusarium pseudograminearum and the remaining isolates were identified as Fusarium graminearum (n = 113), Fusarium sinensis (n = 28), Fusarium acuminatum (n = 18), Fusarium incarnatum (n = 13), Fusarium ipomoeae (n = 5), Fusarium flocciferum (n = 3), Fusarium proliferatum (n = 2), Fusarium asiaticum (n = 1), Fusarium culmorum (n = 1), and Fusarium oxysporum (n = 1), suggesting that F. pseudograminearum is the dominant pathogen of FCR of wheat in Shandong province. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that all 11 Fusarium species could cause typical symptoms of FCR on wheat seedlings. The results of the study indicate that a greater diversity of Fusarium species can cause FCR of wheat in Shandong province than that has been previously reported. This is the first report in the world of Fusarium incarnatum, Fusarium ipomoeae, and Fusarium flocciferum as pathogens causing FCR in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the process parameters of the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of hop cones in terms of their antifungal properties against Fusarium culmorum and Aspergillus niger. The effects of temperature (40–50 °C), pressure (200–300 bar), and CO2 consumption (25–75 kgCO2/kg) on the extraction yield, content of α- and β-acids, as well as pathogens' growth inhibition were investigated. Both pressure and CO2 consumption had a significant effect on antifungal properties. It was observed that the best results for antifungal properties were obtained when hop cones were extracted with pure carbon dioxide at the temperature of 50 °C, under the pressure of 300 bar with CO2 consumption at the level of 75 kgCO2/kg of feed for extraction. The highest antifungal properties of hop cone supercritical carbon dioxide extracts were analyzed as 100% for Fusarium culmorum and 68% for Aspergillus niger, calculated as the growth inhibition of tested pathogens. The aim of the study was to determine the optimum values of extraction parameters to achieve the maximum response and enable us to investigate the interaction of these parameters on the antifungal properties of hop cone extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium stalk rot (FSR) is among the most destructive maize diseases causing significant global yield losses. Resistance of 22 maize hybrids to FSR was tested using four inoculation methods in each of two locations in 2021 and 2022. The inoculation methods included needle injection (NI), toothpick method (TM), stick method (SM) and mycelium method (MM), and the inoculated fungi were Fusarium culmorum, F. graminearum and F. temperatum. NI displayed the highest FSR infection among maize hybrids followed by TM and SM. MM showed the least infection. From five stalk rot‐related traits, full‐length infection and internode proportion, that is, the percentage of visible infection summed up over internodes, captured most of the genetic variation. The latter was the trait with the highest heritability (0.90). No significant (p > 0.05) genotype × method and genotype × fungus interaction variances were observed for any traits. For F. graminearum inoculation, NI showed the highest internode proportion followed by TM and SM, with F. culmorum responding in a similar way. For F. temperatum, TM outranked all other methods. F. graminearum was the most aggressive fungal pathogen compared to F. culmorum and F. temperatum. For phenotyping maize lines with varying degrees of resistance to FSR, we recommend needle injection and internode proportion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arab Journal of Plant Protection is the property of Arab Society for Plant Protection and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Chitosan is a natural non-toxic, biocompatible, biodegradable, and mucoadhesive polymer. It also has a broad spectrum of applications such as agriculture, medical fields, cosmetics and food industries. In this investigation, chitosan nanoparticles were produced by an aqueous extract of Cympopogon citratus leaves as a reducing agent. According to the SEM and TEM micrographs, CNPs had a spherical shape, and size ranging from 8.08 to 12.01 nm. CNPs have a positively charged surface with a Zeta potential of + 26 mV. The crystalline feature of CNPs is determined by X-ray diffraction. There are many functional groups, including C꞊C, CH2-OH, C–O, C-S, N–H, CN, CH and OH were detected by FTIR analysis. As shown by the thermogravimetric study, CNPs have a high thermal stability. For the optimization of the green synthesis of CNPs, a Face centered central composite design (FCCCD) with 30 trials was used. The maximum yield of CNPs (13.99 mg CNPs/mL) was produced with chitosan concentration 1.5%, pH 4.5 at 40 °C, and incubation period of 30 min. The antifungal activity of CNPs was evaluated against phytopathogenic fungus; Fusarium culmorum. A 100% rate of mycelial growth inhibition was gained by the application of 20 mg CNPs/mL. The antitumor activity of the green synthesized CNPs was examined using 6 different cell lines, the viability of the cells reduced when the concentration of green synthesized CNPs increased, the IC50 dose of the green synthesized CNPs on the examined cell lines HePG-2, MCF-7, HCT-116, PC-3, Hela and WI-38 was 36.25 ± 2.3, 31.21 ± 2.2, 67.45 ± 3.5, 56.30 ± 3.3, 44.62 ± 2.6 and 74.90 ± 3.8; respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) applications have emerged as an ideal substitute for synthetic chemicals by their ability to improve plant nutrition and resistance against pathogens. In this study, we isolated fourteen root endophytes from healthy wheat roots cultivated in Tunisia. The isolates were identified based from their 16S rRNA gene sequences. They belonged to Bacillota and Pseudomonadota taxa. Fourteen strains were tested for their growth-promoting and defense-eliciting potentials on durum wheat under greenhouse conditions, and for their in vitro biocontrol power against Fusarium culmorum, an ascomycete responsible for seedling blight, foot and root rot, and head blight diseases of wheat. We found that all the strains improved shoot and/or root biomass accumulation, with Bacillus mojavensis, Paenibacillus peoriae and Variovorax paradoxus showing the strongest promoting effects. These physiological effects were correlated with the plant growth-promoting traits of the bacterial endophytes, which produced indole-related compounds, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and solubilized phosphate and zinc. Likewise, plant defense accumulations were modulated lastingly and systematically in roots and leaves by all the strains. Testing in vitro antagonism against F. culmorum revealed an inhibition activity exceeding 40% for five strains: Bacillus cereus, Paenibacillus peoriae, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Pantoae agglomerans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These strains exhibited significant inhibitory effects on F. culmorum mycelia growth, sporulation, and/or macroconidia germination. P. peoriae performed best, with total inhibition of sporulation and macroconidia germination. These finding highlight the effectiveness of root bacterial endophytes in promoting plant growth and resistance, and in controlling phytopathogens such as F. culmorum. This is the first report identifying 14 bacterial candidates as potential agents for the control of F. culmorum, of which Paenibacillus peoriae and/or its intracellular metabolites have potential for development as biopesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Glasnik Zastite Bilja is the property of Zadruzna Stampa D.D. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Losses in cereal crops caused by Fusarium species are controlled by using chemical fungicides, which also adversely affect human health and the environment. Therefore, in this study, zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) with strong antifungal activity were biosynthesized by the bacterium Paenibacillus polymyxa and then used as a green fungicide to manage root rot disease in wheat. The ZnNPs were 44 nm, spherical, and had a net surface charge of − 28.65 mV and with the active coating, provided significant antioxidant and antifungal activity. The ZnNPs scavenged 89% of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and at 40 µg/mL, inhibited growth of the pathogenic fungi Fusarium culmorum (FC), F. oxysporum, Candida albicans, and C. gelberta. In an in vivo experiment with FC-infected wheat, ZnNPs in water at 160 µg/mL significantly (p = 0.006) reduced preemergent root rot disease by 86% and significantly prevented postemergent disease (p = 0.001). As a result, incidence and severity of crown and root rot disease decreased by 79% and 89%, respectively. With ZnNPs, root weight remained similar to that in the control, but shoot weight decreased by 33%. Treatment with ZnNPs increased grain yield by 10% in healthy wheat and maintained it in FC-infected plants. Compared with control plants, the 1,000-grain weight increased by 40%. Total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and antioxidant contents were similar between FC-infected wheat and control plants. Thus, on the basis of the results, ZnNPs are recommended as a new green and safe fungicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungicides play a crucial role in conventional agriculture for disease control, but their prolonged use raises health and environmental concerns. Fusarium culmorum (F. culmorum), a major wheat pathogen causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) and Fusarium crown rot (FCR), poses significant mycotoxigenic threats. The application of natural plant extracts has been proven to fight against phytopathogenic fungi. This study aimed to a field experiment that was carried out at the Field Experimental Station of the Institute of Plant Protection—National Research Institute in Winna Góra, Poland, during the 2022/2023 season to evaluate the potential of Lamium album (L. album) flower extract as a foliar spray against mycotoxigenic fungi in two winter wheat varieties: Arkadia and Julius. The supercritical carbon dioxide extraction method (SC-CO2) was employed to obtain the L. album flower extract. Ergosterol (ERG) and mycotoxin accumulation in the harvested wheat grains were analyzed using chromatography-based methods. The results demonstrated a notable reduction in ERG content in the field plots treated with L. album flower extract, from 26.07 µg/g (control group) to 8.91 µg/g (extract-treated group) for Arkadia and from 70.02 µg/g (control group) to 30.20 µg/g (extract-treated group) for Julius. The treatment with L. album reduced mycotoxin biosynthesis in both varieties, with deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) production significantly decreased. Additionally, Arkadia exhibited greater resistance to Fusarium infection, and the antifungal effect of L. album was more pronounced than in the Julius variety, which proved to be more sensitive. In conclusion, L. album flower extract exhibited promising antifungal effects in field experiments to fight against F. culmorum in winter wheat varieties, suggesting a potential alternative to synthetic fungicides. However, as complete prevention of mycotoxin contamination was not achieved, further research is warranted to optimize extract concentrations and conduct long-term analyses to consider this plant extract as a sustainable control agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally cultivated cereals are frequently threatened by various plant pathogenic agents such as Fusarium fungi. To combat these pathogens, researchers have made nanoparticles as potential agricultural pesticides. In this study, selenium and titanium dioxide NPs were synthesized using Trichoderma harzianum metabolites. Characterization of the NPs indicated varying size and shapes of both NPs and functional groups existence to constitute both NPs. The evaluation of antifungal activity of NPs against plant pathogenic fungi, Fusarium culmorum, indicated both NPs maximum antifungal activity at concentration of 100 mg/L. The impacts of nanoparticles on some beneficial plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) were evaluated and showed their inhibition effect on optical density of PGPB at a concentration of 100 mg/L but they did not have any impact on nitrogen fixation by bacteria. Existence of TiO2NPs reduced the intensity of color change to pink compared to the control indicating auxin production. Both NPs demonstrated different impact on phosphate solubilization index. This study suggests that the synthesized nanoparticles have the potential to serve as antifungal compounds at special concentration against plant diseases without significantly reducing the potential of PGPB at low concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on different chemo-types of Tunisian Eucalyptus essential oils (EOs) and their potential for controlling aphids, phytopathogenic fungi, weed germination and seedling growth. The EOs, obtained from Eucalyptus astringens (Maiden) Maiden and Eucalyptus lehmannii (Schauer) Benth. leaves through hydrodistillation, were analyzed using GC-MS. The chemical analysis revealed a significant presence of oxygenated monoterpenes (ranging from 41.0% to 83.0%), primarily 1,8-cineole (ranging from 30.5% to 58.5%), and oxygenated sesquiterpenes, mainly globulol (19.0%) for E. astringens. In contrast, α-pinene (7.0%) was the second most abundant chemical class for E. lehmannii. Statistical analysis demonstrated that both EOs were effective against aphids, fungi, and weeds based on their composition. E. lehmannii showed high efficacy against aphids, causing complete mortality in Aphis fabae Scopoli and an 87.28 ± 0.65% mortality rate in Aphis nerii Fonscolombe at a concentration of 0.6 mg/mL. E. astringens exhibited antifungal activity with consistent inhibitory effects exceeding 50.59 ± 0.87% against Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl., and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary displayed even higher susceptibility with an inhibition rate of 83.33 ± 1.10%. Similarly, E. lehmannii inhibited fungal growth by nearly 50%, with Fusarium culmorum Schltdl. exhibiting a minimum inhibition rate of 45.59 ± 0.71%. Both EOs also displayed significant herbicidal potential by impeding weed germination and seedling growth. Sinapis arvensis L. was particularly susceptible, with complete inhibition observed at a concentration of 2 mg/mL. Overall, these findings highlight the potential application of these Eucalyptus EOs for bio-control, underscoring their diverse characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the suitability of using caffeine-treated and untreated black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) wood as a polylactide filler. Composites containing 10%, 20%, and 30% filler were investigated in terms of increasing the nucleating ability of polylactide, as well as enhancing its resistance to microorganisms. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that the addition of caffeine-treated wood significantly altered the crystallization behavior of the polymer matrix, increasing its crystallization temperature and degree of crystallinity. Polarized light microscopic observations revealed that only the caffeine-treated wood induced the formation of transcrystalline structures in the polylactide. Incorporation of the modified filler into the matrix was also responsible for changes in the thermal stability and decreased hydrophilicity of the material. Most importantly, the use of black cherry wood treated with caffeine imparted antifungal properties to the polylactide-based composite, effectively reducing growth of Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium culmorum, Alternaria alternata, and Trichoderma viride. For the first time, it was reported that treatment of wood with a caffeine compound of natural origin alters the supermolecular structure, nucleating abilities, and imparts antifungal properties of polylactide/wood composites, providing promising insights into the structure-properties relationship of such composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key role that fungal endophytes play in interacting with their host plant can be defined by the fact that they promote the growth of plants and enhance the tolerance of the host against plant pathogens using bioactive compounds that they produce. Several studies utilizing endophytic fungi as a source of biological control against plant pathogens were conducted, and a representative example includes Aureobasidium protae from common wheat (Triticum aestivum), which inhibited the mycelial growth of Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorum, causal agents of Fusarium head blight disease. Our previous study indicated that three endophytic fungal isolates, E089 (Daldinia childiae), E282 (Nectria balsamea), and E409 (Colletotrichum acutatum), showed antifungal activities against D. quercus-mongolicae, an ascomycetous fungus that is reported to be associated with oak mortality in South Korea. The objectives of this study were to optimize and evaluate antifungal efficiency for these endophytic fungi against D. quercus-mongolicae, and this was achieved using culture filtrate retrieved from the three above-mentioned endophytes and fractions isolated from the culture filtrate. Of those, the culture filtrate from E282 showed higher mycelial growth and sporulation inhibitions on PDA medium where D. quercus-mongolicae was grown. In addition, three fractions, including hexane, CHCl3, Et2O, and H2O, were tested for antifungal activities against D. quercus-mongolicae. The results revealed that the Et2O fraction showed higher mycelial growth and sporulation inhibition rates. Taking these results together, the endophytic fungus, N. balsamea, which exhibited high antifungal efficiency, can be effectively used as a biocontrol agent for the management of oak wilt disease in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, nutmeg (Myristica fragans Houtt.) has attracted considerable attention in the field of phytochemistry due to its diverse array of bioactive compounds. However, the potential application of nutmeg as a biorational for crop protection has been insufficiently explored. This study investigated the constituents of a nutmeg hydroethanolic extract via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and vibrational spectroscopy. The research explored the extract's activity against phytopathogenic fungi and oomycetes, elucidating its mechanism of action. The phytochemical profile revealed fatty acids (including tetradecanoic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, and octadecanoic acid), methoxyeugenol, and elemicin as the main constituents. Previously unreported phytochemicals included veratone, gelsevirine, and montanine. Significant radial growth inhibition of mycelia was observed against Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, Diplodia corticola, Phytophthora cinnamomi, and especially against Fusarium culmorum. Mode of action investigation, involving Saccharomyces cerevisiae labeled positively with propidium iodide, and a mutant strain affected in ERG6, encoding sterol C-24 methyltransferase, suggested that the extract induces a necrotic type of death and targets ergosterol biosynthesis. The evidence presented underscores the potential of nutmeg as a source of new antimicrobial agents, showing particular promise against F. culmorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer that is used worldwide and raises concerns because of its prevalence in the environment and potential toxicity. Herein, the capability of Fusarium culmorum to degrade a high concentration (3 g/L) of DEHP as the sole carbon and energy source in solid-state fermentation (SSF) was studied. Cultures grown on glucose were used as controls. The biodegradation of DEHP by F. culmorum reached 96.9% within 312 h. This fungus produced a 3-fold higher esterase activity in DEHP-supplemented cultures than in control cultures (1288.9 and 443.2 U/L, respectively). In DEHP-supplemented cultures, nine bands with esterase activity (24.6, 31.2, 34.2, 39.5, 42.8, 62.1, 74.5, 134.5, and 214.5 kDa) were observed by zymography, which were different from those in control cultures and from those previously reported for cultures grown in submerged fermentation. This is the first study to report the DEHP biodegradation pathway by a microorganism grown in SSF. The study findings uncovered a novel biodegradation strategy by which high concentrations of DEHP could be biodegraded using two alternative pathways simultaneously. F. culmorum has an outstanding capability to efficiently degrade DEHP by inducing esterase production, representing an ecologically promising alternative for the development of environmental biotechnologies, which might help mitigate the negative impacts of environmental contamination by this phthalate. Key points: • F. culmorum has potential to tolerate and remove di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) • Solid-state fermentation is an efficient system for DEHP degradation by F. culmorum • High concentrations of DEHP induce high levels of esterase production by F. culmorum [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this study to isolate fungal pathogens from nonsterilized soils and Molecularly diagnosed to know which fungi affected by solar sterilization,Study was made by covering the soil with a black mulch from june to august with (5)cm depth. Isolation after sterilization showed that fungi Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Phoma, were affected with isolation (0)% from the covered soil, while the isolation from untreated soil was (80,5,10,5)% respectively for the same fungi., The maximum temperature recorded was (64.3) C for the covered soil compared to uncovered soil (42.6) C, while the lowest temperature recorded was (55) C for the covered soil compared to uncovered (39)°C, The isolated fungi were examined phenotypically by studying the nature of growth, colors, textures, and the edges of colonies, and the nature of the fungal hyphae. Then diagnosed based on international classification keys (Sutton and Dyko, 1989). when they matched the results of the molecular diagnosis. The analysis showed that diagnosed isolates belonged to: Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, Alternaria alternata, Curvularia, and Fusarium. culmorum. By comparing the sequences of nitrogenous bases with NCBI except Curvularia, were registered under the numbers (OR026671.1), (OR755780.1), and (OR828014.1). By calculating the percentage of dissimilarity and similarity between the fungi there was a genetic closeness between fungi, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and Fusarium culmorum, at a rate of 0.12. In contrast, the fungi Alternaria alternate and Curvularia showed a percentage of genetic closeness of 0.06, while the percentage of divergence between the two groups was 0.20. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Agriculture & Wildlife Science is the property of International Journal of Agriculture & Wildlife Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

‒ The root exudation of the low molecular weight components of susceptible and resistant to Fusarium root rot barley plants was studied. Barley with different resistance to root rot differed not only in the amount of various components in their root exudates but also in their composition. The presence of F. culmorum in the roots of barley of both genotypes was accompanied by an increase in the total amount of exudates and by the changes in the composition and the ratio of various groups of components as compared to the control. In response to the fungus, a significant increase in the amount of low molecular weight organic acids, amino acids and auxins was detected in the root exudates of the susceptible barley, while in the root exudates of the resistant barley a significant increase in the amount of sugars and aromatic carboxylic acids was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous experiments, Trichoderma sp. BI 7376 and Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca BI 7439, applied as seed treatments, controlled soilborne Fusarium culmorum on maize. The current paper is focused on a deeper characterization of the effects of both strains. The experiments were conducted as pot tests with artificial inoculation of the substrate with F. culmorum, or with maize seed lots infected with Fusarium spp. When seeds were treated with Trichoderma strain BI 7376, Pseudomonas strain BI 7439 or with the chemical active ingredient thiram and stored before they were sown in substrate inoculated with F. culmorum, the protection by all agents declined. During the storage period of 211 days, the activity of thiram and Trichoderma strain BI 7376 dropped by about 38% and 57%, respectively. After 36 days of storage, Pseudomonas strain BI 7439 failed to provide any protection, which was obviously related to the observed total loss of viable cells of this agent. Moreover, we observed that both strains protected against soilborne F. subglutinans and F. verticillioides, showing that their activity was not limited to F. culmorum which was used in the previous experiments. Further, experiments with seed lots suspected or known to be infected with Fusarium species indicated that Trichoderma strain BI 7376 also controlled seedborne inoculum. When electron seed treatment was followed by application of Trichoderma strain BI 7376, both seed- and soilborne infections were controlled, showing that the concept of using a combination of a physical seed treatment and microbial antagonists appears feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the recent increase in the frequency of drought conditions and Root-Crown Rot (Fusarium pseudograminearum, Fusarium culmorum) in rainfed wheat growing areas of Central Anatolia. In 2018, the experiment was established in the greenhouse of Konya Bahri Dağdaş International Agricultural Research Institute using 25 registered wheat varieties in a randomised block split-plot experimental design with 4 replications. Irrigation levels (100% field capacity and 50% field capacity) were designed as main plots, inoculation (+ and -) as subplots and varieties as sub-subplots. In the study, the response of the cultivars to inoculation under artificial drought conditions was evaluated by measuring Crown Score (CR), Lesion Length (LL), Number of Diseased Leaves from outside to inside (NDL) and Plant Height (PH) from five plants in each pot. Statistically, the differences between inoculation, irrigation, NDL and LL were found to be significant at P

The most important uses of old fabrics include clothing, mummification, and bookbinding. However, because they are predominantly constructed of natural materials, they are particularly susceptible to physical and chemical deterioration brought on by fungi. The treatments that are typically used to preserve old textiles focus on the use of synthetic fungicides, which have the potential to be dangerous for both human health and the environment. Essential oils (EOs), which are safe for the environment and have no negative effects on human health, have been widely advocated as an alternative to conventional antifungals. Four natural fabrics—linen, cotton, wool, and silk—were utilized in the current work. The extracted EO from leaves of river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.) were prepared at 125, 250, and 500 µL/L. Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium culmorum and Aspergillus niger were inoculated separately into the treated four fabrics with the EO at concentrations of 125, 250, and 500 µL/L or the main compounds (spathulenol and eucalyptol) at the concentrations of 6, 12, 25, and 50 µL/L and were then compared to the un-treated samples. GC–MS was used to analyze the EO chemical composition, while visual observations and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) were used to study the fungal growth inhibition. Spathulenol (26.56%), eucalyptol (14.91%), and p-cymene (12.40%) were the principal chemical components found in E. camaldulensis EO by GC–MS. Spathulenol molecule displayed the highest electrostatic potential (ESP) compared with the other primary compound, as calculated by quantum mechanics. In the untreated textile samples, SEM analysis revealed substantial proliferation of hyphae from A. flavus, F. culmorum, and A. niger. The fungal growth was completely inhibited at a concentration of 500 µL/L from the EO. Both eucalyptol and spathulenol completely inhibited the formation of the fungal spores at a concentration of 50 µL/L, although eucalyptol was more effective than spathulenol across the board for all four textiles. The results support E. camaldulensis EO functionalized textiles as an effective active antifungal agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amounts of anthropogenic pollutants, e.g., microplastics (MPs) and pesticides, in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems have been increasing. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of MPs on the removal of herbicides (metolachlor, MET; 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4-D) and the production of biosurfactants (surfactin and iturin) by Bacillus sp. Kol L6 active against Fusarium culmorum. The results showed that Kol L6 eliminated 40–55% MET and 2,4-D from liquid cultures, but this process was inhibited in the presence of MPs. Although the pollutants did not strongly limit the production of surfactin, iturin secretion was found to decrease by more than 70% in the presence of all three pollutants. Interestingly, the strongest modification in the profile of iturin homologues was calculated for the cultures containing MET + MP and 2,4-D + MET + MP. The bacteria significantly limited the growth of the phytopathogenic F. culmorum DSM1094F in the presence of individual pollutants and their two-component mixtures. However, in the presence of all three tested pollutants, the growth of the fungus was limited only partially (by no more than 40%). The presented results are a starting point for further research on bacteria-fungi-plants interactions in the soil environment in the presence of multiple pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lamium album is a medicinal flowering plant that is rich in bioactive compounds with various biological properties. Fusarium species, known for causing significant crop losses and mycotoxin contamination, pose threats to food safety and human health. While synthetic fungicides are commonly employed for fungal management, their environmental impact prompts the ongoing development of alternative methods. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of L. album flower extracts in inhibiting the in vitro growth and biosynthesis of mycotoxins by Fusarium culmorum and F. proliferatum strains. The extracts were obtained by supercritical fluid extraction using CO2 (SC-CO2). The effects of various concentrations (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%) were assessed on a potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium using the "poisoning" technique. L. album flower extracts reduced mycelium growth by 0 to 30.59% for F. culmorum and 27.71 to 42.97% for F. proliferatum. Ergosterol content was reduced by up to 88.87% for F. culmorum and 93.17% for F. proliferatum. Similarly, the amounts of synthesized mycotoxins produced by both strains were also lower compared to control cultures. These findings are a preliminary phase for further in vivo tests planned to determine the fungistatic effect of L. album flower extracts on cereal substrates as seedlings incubated in controlled environments and under field conditions. Their phytotoxicity and biological stability, as well as the possibility of formulating a bio-preparation to protect cereals against Fusarium infections, will be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antifungal and antioxidant properties of essential oils (EOs) derived from four plants were assessed in vitro: Rosmarinus officinalis, Myrtus communis, Origanum compactum, and Eugenia aromatica. These plants are renowned for their diverse biological activities. Antioxidant activities were evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and TAC tests. Antifungal activity was tested against four postharvest pathogens associated with chickpea in storage: Fusarium culmorum, Rhizopus oryzae, Penicillium italicum, and Aspergillus niger, using the broth microdilution technique. Additionally, the efficacy of several major compounds against fungi found in the EOs 1,8-cineole, carvacrol, and eugenol was evaluated. Furthermore, this study explored the potential synergy of combining eugenol and carvacrol in various ratios. Based on the results, E. aromatica EO exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, as evidenced by its lowest IC50 values for a DPPH of 0.006 mg/mL. This EO also demonstrated the best antifungal activity, with MIC values ranging from 0.098 to 0.13 μL/mL. The high concentration of eugenol in this oil was identified as a contributing factor to its potent antifungal effects. The individual application of eugenol displayed significant antifungal efficacy, which was further enhanced by incorporating carvacrol at a 1:3 ratio. This synergistic combination presents promising potential for the development of specific formulations aimed at optimizing grain protection during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we determined the reason that the intensity of barley fusarium root rot caused by Fusarium culmorum 30 decreases in the presence of the rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens 2137, if there is no obvious decrease in the amount of fungus in the roots in the presence of the bacterium. It has been suggested that (1) the presence of rhizobacterium stimulates the defense reactions in barley and (2) rhizobacterium reduces the production of trichothecene toxins by F. culmorum 30, a known factor of aggressiveness of the fungus. The responses of barley to the colonization of its roots by fungus and bacteria were studied in sterile vermiculite for 11 days according to the intensity of expression of the LOX, PAL, PR4, and PR1 genes. The production of F. culmorum 30 trichothecene toxins was evaluated by the expression level of the TRI13 gene. As a result, it was found that P. fluorescens 2137 induced the expression of all studied defense genes in diurnal barley roots, but only in the presence of F. culmorum 30. In the presence of the bacterium, the expression level of the TRI13 gene did not decrease; however, a decrease in the number of diseased plants suggests that P. fluorescens 2137 is capable of detoxifying trichothecene toxins produced by the fungus or inducing this ability in barley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs), as potential sources of new genetic variants, are being extensively studied to identify genotypes that will be able to confer resistance to biotic stresses. In this study, a collection of barley wild relatives was assessed in the field, and their phenotypic variability was evaluated using a Barley Description List, reflecting the identified ecosites. Overall, the CWRs showed significant field resistance to various fungal diseases. To further investigate their resistance, greenhouse tests were performed, revealing that several CWRs exhibited resistance against Fusarium culmorum, Pyrenophora teres, and Puccinia hordei G.H. Otth. Additionally, to characterize the genetic diversity within the collection, DNA polymorphisms at 21 loci were examined. We successfully employed barley-specific SSR markers, confirming their suitability for identifying H. spontaneum and even H. marinum, i.e., perennial species. The SSR markers efficiently clustered the investigated collection according to species and ecotypes, similarly to the phenotypic assessment. Moreover, SSR markers associated with disease resistance revealed different alleles in comparison to those found in resistant barley cultivars. Overall, our findings highlight that this evaluated collection of CWRs represents a valuable reservoir of genetic variability and resistance genes that can be effectively utilized in breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new disease of commercially cultivated Mursalitza mountain tea (Sideritis scardica Griseb.) was discovered and diagnosed for the first time in Bulgaria. Disease symptoms included yellowing and stunting, stem and root rot, sudden wilt and premature death on predominantly young newly replanted seedlings and less frequently on mature one- and two-year-old plants. Disease incidence increased throughout the season and in 2021 the disease totally caused 35% and 45% crop losses in the two surveyed fields. All isolates obtained from symptomatic plants were identified by microscopic observation of their morphological characteristics as Fusarium culmorum (Wm.G.Sm.) Sacc. and Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. emend. Snyder and Hansen. Pathogenicity of all isolates was confirmed on 30-day-old Mursalitza mountain tea seedlings grown in pots with artificially inoculated soils. All inoculated plants showed symptoms identical to those observed on "naturally" infected plants grown in the surveyed field sites. The inoculated pathogens were consistently reisolated from symptomatic tissues. Further efforts are needed to evaluate the full range of biotic and abiotic components involved in the etiology of the stem and root rot which results in early decline of the crop; an effective disease control program should be designed and implemented. Commercial and semi-commercial cultivation is an important means of protection for indigenous populations of Mursalitza mountain tea in the country. Hence, apart from the economic losses; the disease is likely to compromise the conservation of this endangered botanical species and to impede the restoration of its natural habitats in the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus subtilis strain BBs-27 isolated from the medicinal plant Bulbophyllum sp. shows strong antifungal activity against Fusarium culmorum. In order to further understand the composition of fermentation broth and its antifungal mechanism, the properties of fermentation broth were studied by acid-base treatment, ultraviolet irradiation and enzymolysis. On the above basis, the type of lipopeptides（LPs）in the fermentation broth was identified using LC-MS. The antifungal effects of LPs were analyzed from the morphology, physiology and transcriptome levels. The results showed that the antifungal activity of the fermentation broth was the strongest at pH=6, and decreased significantly at pH < 4 or > 10, and declined significantly when UV irradiation in over 10 min, easily hydrolyzed by other three proteases, but insensitive to pepsin. It was speculated that antifugal antifugal substances were mainly lipopeptides, and contained a small amount of protein. LPs LPs were mainly iturin and fengycin by LC-MS analysis. The fungus mycelium treated by LPs was twisted, informed and abnormally swollen under SEM. LPs had a significant impact on the activities of SOD, POD, CAT and the contents of soluble protein and soluble sugar, and all five physiological indicators were highly correlated with antifungal rate. With F. graminis genome as reference, Q20 and Q30 were above 96%, 91% respectively, GC content ranged from 52.27% to 52.87%, comparison rate was above 78%. Total 712 differentially expressed genes（DEGs）were screened, of which 393 were up-regulated and 319 were down-regulated. The Go functional annotation classification showed that 712 DEGs were mainly involved in 6 biological processes, 11 cell components and 12 molecular functions. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in the metabolisms of carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, cofactors and vitamins. Genes including GAO, CHS3, MPG1, FGSG_02016, IPDH and ODC responding to LPs affected the fungus growth by interfering with the normal synthesis of cell wall, cell membrane, amino acids and antioxidant enzymes. These results provide a theoretical basis for further development and utilization of safe microbial pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this study aiming to investigate potential fungal biocontrol agents for Fusarium culmorum, several isolates of Trichoderma spp. were evaluated for their antagonistic effects by means of transcriptional analyses. At first, 21 monosporic Trichoderma spp. isolates were obtained from natural wood debris and wood area soils in Manisa, Turkey. Trichoderma spp. Isolates were identified as belonging to four different species (T. atroviride, T. harzianum, T. koningii, and T. brevicompactum) by tef1-α sequencing. Then, the linear growth rate (LGR) of each species was calculated and determined to be in a range between 13.22 ± 0.71 mm/day (T. atroviride TR2) and 25.06 ± 1.45 mm/day (T. harzianum K30). Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) genotyping validated the tef1-α sequencing results by presenting two sub-clusters in the dendrogram. We determined the genetically most similar (TR1 & TR2; 97.77%) and dissimilar (K9 & K17; 40.40%) individuals belonging to the same and different species, respectively. Dual sandwich culture tests (which are useful for antagonism studies) revealed that T. harzianum K21 (the least suppressive) and T. brevicompactum K26 (the most suppressive) isolates suppressed F. culmorum with growth rates of 3% and 46%, respectively. Expressions of genes previously associated with mycoparasitism-plant protection-secondary metabolism (nag1, tgf-1, and tmk-1) were tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in both those isolates. While there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in expression that were present in the K21 isolate, those three genes were upregulated with fold change values of 2.69 ± 0.26 (p

The antioxidant defense system can be stimulated by growth regulators in plants when they are under stress, such as exposure to pathogens. There are a lot of natural growth regulators on the market, but no research has been carried out yet to determine how effective they are. This field and laboratory study examines the impact of two commonly used Russian growth regulators, Crezacin and Zircon, along with artificial infection with Fusarium culmorum on the antioxidant system of naked oat. The results show that, compared to the control, Crezacin-treated plants had higher contents of low molecular weight fructose and nonenzymatic antioxidants like proline, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. Zircon-treated plants had a lower content of proline, carbohydrates, and lower total antioxidant activity than the control plants. The obtained data show that Crezacin treatment mainly affected nonenzymatic systems of the antioxidant defense. This treatment was more successful than the Zircon application, which did not show any appreciable effectiveness and was typically associated with an improvement in oat productivity. The treatment with growth regulators and a fungal suspension performed at the flowering phase provided the best effect on the biochemical parameters and productivity of naked oats. Moreover, oat treatment with the pathogen promoted the reproductive capabilities of the plants, while growth regulators helped in avoiding infectious stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi cause substantial yield losses in potatoes worldwide. In Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Pakistan, potatoes are the main cash crop and source of revenue. Late blight, early blight, and black scurf are three examples of soil-born pathogenic fungi shown in only a few studies to be substantial biotic restrictions to potato output in GB. Few details exist on the prevalence and severity of the soil-borne diseases that cause potato diseases. Climate factors such as severe and unseasonal rains as well as warmer winter temperatures have aggravated these diseases in recent years. As a result, the current study was done in three districts of GB: Gilgit, Hunza, and Nagar. Soil samples from potato plants and rhizospheres were obtained, and soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi were isolated using serial dilution, baiting technique, and direct plating procedures. Furthermore, fungal morphology was also studied under microscopes as well as identified using standard keys and monographs. Additionally, the synonymy of the isolated pathogenic fungi was also retrieved. A total of eight soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi were identified, namely, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium incarnatum, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium Pythium aphanidermatum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium udum, and Rhizoctonia solani. Alternaria alternata, Fusarium incarnatum, Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium aphanidermatum, and R. solani were found in all three districts. In conclusion, these soil-borne potato pathogenic fungi appeared to be the first records from GB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to highlight the antimicrobial properties of lavender essential oil (EO) obtained from the George 90 cultivar, which is the newest lavender cultivar approved in Romania for oil production. In order to highlight its antimicrobial properties, the essential oil obtained from the George 90 cultivar was tested in comparison with two other essential oils (EOs) obtained from the species Lavandula latifolia and Lavandula angustifolia, these two lavender species being the parents of the new George 90 cultivar. Three food pathogenic fungi (Aspergillus brasieliensis ATCC 16404, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium expansum), two food spoilage bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis) and six species of phytopathogenic molds (Alternaria sp., Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium culmorum FC46, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis lycopersici ZUM2407 (FORL), Macrophomina phaseolina and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) were used in this study. In all the interactions with phytopathogenic agents and bacteria studied, a close relationship was observed between the antifungal potential and the dose of essential oils tested. Thus, as expected, increasing the dose of lavender essential oil is directly proportional to the inhibition effectiveness of the tested microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant roots secrete various organic substances into the rhizosphere, which are a source of nutrition for microorganisms and largely determine the nature of plant–microbe interactions. The composition of the main fractions of root exudates in ten modern varieties of wheat was determined: the contents of amino acids, organic acids, and sugars were analyzed. Reliable qualitative and quantitative differences between varieties for individual components of exudates were revealed, which determined the peculiarities of cultivar clustering on this trait. Relationships between exudation and the effectiveness of plant interaction with the growth-promoting rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens SPB2137 and the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium culmorum 30 in laboratory systems, as well as with the resistance of the varieties to diseases in the field, were found. The number of P. fluorescens SPB2137 in the root zone positively correlated with the amounts of many amino acids, as well as maltose, secreted by the roots. The stimulating effect of rhizobacteria on root growth positively correlated with the amount of released glucose and melibiose. A relationship between the nature of root exudation and root colonization or the susceptibility of the varieties to F. culmorum 30 was not found. An analysis of the correlations between the incidence of wheat varieties in the field and the intensity of exudation of certain substances, as well as with the biocomposition index of amino acid exudation, was carried out. The role of root exudate components in the formation of effective plant-microbial systems is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To ensure food security in the face of climate change and the growing world population, multi-pronged measures should be taken. One promising approach uses plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF), such as Trichoderma, to reduce the usage of agrochemicals and increase plant yield, stress tolerance, and nutritional value. However, large-scale applications of PGPF have been hampered by several constraints, and, consequently, usage on a large scale is still limited. Seed coating, a process that consists of covering seeds with low quantities of exogenous materials, is gaining attention as an efficient and feasible delivery system for PGPF. Methods: We have designed a new seed coating composed of chitin, methylcellulose, and Trichoderma viride spores and assessed its effect on canola (Brassica napus L.) growth and development. For this purpose, we analyzed the antifungal activity of T. viride against common canola pathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium culmorum, and Colletotrichum sp.). Moreover, the effect of seed coating on germination ratio and seedling growth was evaluated. To verify the effect of seed coating on plant metabolism, we determined superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and expression of the stress-related RSH (RelA/SpoT homologs). Results: Our results showed that the T. viride strains used for seed coating significantly restricted the growth of all three pathogens, especially F. culmorum, for which the growth was inhibited by over 40%. Additionally, the new seed coating did not negatively affect the ability of the seeds to complete germination, increased seedling growth, and did not induce the plant stress response. To summarize, we have successfully developed a cost-effective and environmentally responsible seed coating, which will also be easy to exploit on an industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to determine the effect of the extraction method on the yield, the chemical composition, and the antifungal activity of cedarwood essential oils (EOs) from sawdust of Moroccan Cedrus atlantica (C. atlantica). EOs were extracted by different methods: hydrodistillation, soxhlet, maceration, and ultrasound. The chemical composition was determined using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The yields of EOs were 5.60%, 11.68%, 4.82% and 9.33% for hydrodistillation, soxhlet, maceration and ultrasound, respectively. GC-MS revealed a diversity of chemical compounds depending on extraction methods. Indeed, the main compound of EOs obtained by soxhlet, maceration, and ultrasound was copalic acid methyl ester by a rate of 28.41%, 20.24%, and 24.17%, respectively. However, β-himachalene (21.32%) followed by α-himachalene (9.40%), β-Copaen-4α-ol (7.71%) and longifolene (6.74%) are the main compounds of EO extracted by hydrodistillation. The antifungal activity of cedarwood EO was tested in vitro on two pathogenic fungi: Fusarium culmorum (F. Culmorum) and Botrytis cineria (B. Cinerea). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by successive dilutions of the stock solutions. The extracted EOs by soxhlet, maceration and ultrasound showed the important inhibitory effect against B. cinerea (MIC=1.25 mL/L). However, F. culmorum showed resistance towards all tested EOs. The finding of this study showed clearly that the volatile composition of EOs can be variable according to extraction. methods. Moreover, antifungal effects are depending on chemical composition of EOs but also to tested staris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several Fusarium species are emerging as serious pathogens on small grain cereals worldwide. The use of fungicides is a short-term strategy in the fight against Fusarium diseases. The use of biocontrol agents is an attractive alternative strategy by reducing the chemical input to the environment as well as being economical. Bacillus species have received attention as biocontrol agents. In this study, the antagonistic activities of Bacillus megaterium CTBmeg1 and HMA5 strains on Fusarium culmorum UK99 and F. graminearum PH-1 isolates were investigated in vitro and at molecular level. On the 7th day of the dual culture assay, both of B. megaterium strains significantly reduced the mycelial growth of Fusarium isolates, with very high antifungal activity with the inhibition rate between 72.7% and 77.7%, respectively. Similarly, both strains caused high antifungal activity in the volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis between 52.1% and 62.4%, respectively. At the molecular level, in all tested groups, transcript levels of the tri5 gene, which is associated with trichothecene production, decreased, while the transcript levels of cat, an antioxidant gene, and mst20, a gene related to apoptosis, increased. Findings from this study showed that B. megaterium CTBmeg1 and HMA5 strains could be accepted as highly effective biocontrol agents against worldwide phytopathogens F. culmorum and F. graminearum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beneficial microorganisms, including members of the Trichoderma genus, are known for their ability to promote plant growth and disease resistance, as well as being alternatives to synthetic inputs in agriculture. In this study, 111 Trichoderma strains were isolated from the rhizospheric soil of Florence Aurore, an ancient wheat variety that was cultivated in an organic farming system in Tunisia. A preliminary ITS analysis allowed us to cluster these 111 isolates into three main groups, T. harzianum (74 isolates), T. lixii (16 isolates) and T. sp. (21 isolates), represented by six different species. Their multi-locus analysis (tef1, translation elongation factor 1; rpb2, RNA polymerase B) identified three T. afroharzianum, one T. lixii, one T. atrobrunneum and one T. lentinulae species. These six new strains were selected to determine their suitability as plant growth promoters (PGP) and biocontrol agents (BCA) against Fusarium seedling blight disease (FSB) in wheat caused by Fusarium culmorum. All of the strains exhibited PGP abilities correlated to ammonia and indole-like compound production. In terms of biocontrol activity, all of the strains inhibited the development of F. culmorum in vitro, which is linked to the production of lytic enzymes, as well as diffusible and volatile organic compounds. An in planta assay was carried out on the seeds of a Tunisian modern wheat variety (Khiar) by coating them with Trichoderma. A significant increase in biomass was observed, which is associated with increased chlorophyll and nitrogen. An FSB bioprotective effect was confirmed for all strains (with Th01 being the most effective) by suppressing morbid symptoms in germinated seeds and seedlings, as well as by limiting F. culmorum aggressiveness on overall plant growth. Plant transcriptome analysis revealed that the isolates triggered several SA- and JA-dependent defense-encoding genes involved in F. culmorum resistance in the roots and leaves of three-week-old seedlings. This finding makes these strains very promising in promoting growth and controlling FSB disease in modern wheat varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Authors are encouraged to provide a concise description of the specific application or a potential application of the work. This section is not mandatory. Modern integrated farming systems encourage the search for alternative (non-chemical), highly effective methods of plant protection. In this study, the fungistatic effect of fennel essential oil (FEO) and hop essential oil (HEO) on fungal growth and their ability to treat Fusarium wilt was investigated. The study was conducted in vitro and in pot experiments. The severity of infection was assessed by disease index (DI), presence of Fusarium culmorum gDNA (qPCR) and anatomical analyses of infected plant tissue using an optical (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Laboratory analyses showed that FEO inhibits mycelial growth of Fusarium fungi (F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. equiseti, F. oxysporum, F. poae, F. solani, F. sporotrichioides, F. tricinctum), Botrytis cinerea and Cylindrocarpon destructans more effectively than HEO. FEO at a concentration of 2000 ppm completely inhibited the growth of F. culmorum, F. poae and B. cinerea. Both essential oils reduced the severity of Fusarium wilt caused by F. culmorum in pea plants (DI, OM, SEM). The qPCR shows that both essential oils are also able to reduce the synthesis of trichothecenes in the tissues of infected pea plants. The results of the study suggest that FEO and HEO represent a broad spectrum bio-fungicidal agent that can be applied directly to plants at a concentration of 500 ppm, greatly reducing the level of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) are used as biofertilizers and biological control agents against fungi. The objective of this work was to evaluate the antagonistic activities of some bacterial strains isolated from soil against four phytopathogenic fungal strains (Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, Phytophthora sp. and Verticillium dahlia). Two strains having an antagonist effect on fungi and displaying the maximum of plant growth promoting (PGP) traits were selected for further study and identified as Bacillus subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens respectively. In planta assays demonstrated that the two Bacillus strains are able to enhance plant growth of two wheat cultivars in absence of nitrogen and protect them against F. culmorum. Pot experiments performed in a greenhouse showed that wheat plants inoculation with two bacterial strains reduce F. culmorum disease severity correlated with the accumulation of phenolic compounds and chlorophyll content. These could partly explain the effectiveness of these bacteria in protecting Tunisian durum wheat cultivars against F. culmorum. Application B. amyloliquefaciens, showed better protection than B. subtilis although the last one enhanced more the plant growth of two wheat cultivars in absence of fungus. Hence, combination of two bacterial strains could be a strategic approach to enhance plant growth and control plant diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oat-based value-added products have increased their value as healthy foodstuff. Fusarium head blight (FHB) infections and the mycotoxins accumulated to the oat seeds, however, pose a challenge to oat production. The FHB infections are predicted to become more prevalent in the future changing climates and under more limited use of fungicides. Both these factors increase the pressure for breeding new resistant cultivars. Until now, however, genetic links in oats against FHB infection have been difficult to identify. Therefore, there is a great need for more effective breeding efforts, including improved phenotyping methods allowing time series analysis and the identification of molecular markers during disease progression. To these ends, dissected spikelets of several oat genotypes with different resistance profiles were studied by image-based methods during disease progression by Fusarium culmorum or F. langsethiae species. The chlorophyll fluorescence of each pixel in the spikelets was recorded after inoculation by the two Fusarium spp., and the progression of the infections was analyzed by calculating the mean maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) values for each spikelet. The recorded values were (i) the change in the photosynthetically active area of the spikelet as percentage of its initial size, and (ii) the mean of Fv/Fm values of all fluorescent pixels per spikelet post inoculation, both indicative of the progression of the FHB disease. The disease progression was successfully monitored, and different stages of the infection could be defined along the time series. The data also confirmed the differential rate of disease progression by the two FHB causal agents. In addition, oat varieties with variable responses to the infections were indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since chitooligosaccharides (COs) are water-soluble, biodegradable and nontoxic compounds, their application may be considered as a promising plant-protecting agent. However, the molecular and cellular modes of action of COs are not yet understood. In this study, transcriptional changes in pea roots treated with COs were investigated via RNA sequencing. Pea roots treated with the deacetylated CO8-DA at low concentration (10-5 M) were harvested 24 h after treatment and their expression profiles were compared against mediumtreated control plants. We observed 886 differentially expressed genes (fold change ≥ 1; p-value < 0.05) 24 h after treatment with CO8-DA. Gene Ontology term over-representation analysis allowed us to identify the molecular functions of the genes activated in response to CO8-DA treatment and their relation to biological processes. Our findings suggest that calcium signaling regulators and MAPK cascade play a key role in pea plant responses to treatment. Here we found two MAPKKKs, the PsMAPKKK5 and PsMAPKKK20, which might function redundantly in the CO8-DA-activated signaling pathway. In accordance with this suggestion, we showed that PsMAPKKK knockdown decreases resistance to pathogenic Fusarium culmorum fungi. Therefore, analysis showed that typical regulators of intracellular signal transduction pathways involved in triggering of plant responses via CERK1 receptors to chitin/COs in Arabidopsis and rice may also be recruited in legume pea plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antifungal effects of myrcene, the plant-based naturel compound, were investigated on Fusarium graminearum PH-1 and Fusarium culmorum FcUK99 references, for the first time. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half of MIC (MIC50) of both Fusarium strains against myrcene were found as 25 µg/µl and 12.5 µg/µl, respectively. MIC50 application decreased the cell viabilities in the ratios of 34.90% and 33.91% in PH-1 and FcUK99, respectively (p < 0.01). The significantly increased catalase (CAT) activity was recorded in MIC50 treated strains (p < 0.01). Apoptosis-like process and cellular oxidative stress were also monitored with acridine orange/ethidium bromide (Ao/Eb) dual staining and 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) staining. The genomic template stability (GTS) percentages were calculated as 79% for PH-1 and 71% for FcUK99 via random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Methylation polymorphism values were calculated as 53.8% and 50.6% in PH-1 and 40.4% and 39% in FcUK99 for HapII and MspI, respectively by coupled restriction enzyme digestion-random amplification (CRED-RA). Methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) revealed that myrcene caused both type I and type III epigenetic modifications in both genomes. MIC50 dose caused up to 13.86 ± 0.42-fold changes in the expressions of cat, mst20, and stuA, whereas downregulation in tri5 was recorded. Myrcene application did not change the retrotransposon movement in both species by the amplifying of idiomorphic retrotransposon patterns through inter-retrotransposon polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (IRAP-PCR). This study demonstrated that myrcene is an effective compound in the management of phytopathogenic Fusarium species by causing morphological, genetic, epigenetic, and cellular alterations, and has a potential to utilize as an antifungal agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prevention of fungal diseases caused by Fusarium species, including F. culmorum, and thus the accumulation of mycotoxins in wheat ears, is a constant challenge focused on the development of new, effective crop management solutions. One of the currently most ecologically attractive approaches is biological control using natural antagonistic microorganisms. With this in mind, the antagonistic potential of thirty-three Clonostachys and Trichoderma strains was assessed in this work. Screening tests were carried out in in vitro cultures, and the observed potential of selected Trichoderma and Clonostachys strains was verified in field and semi-field experiments with two forms of wheat: winter cv. Legenda and spring cv. Bombona. Three strains, namely C. rosea AN291, T. atroviride AN240 and T. viride AN430 were reported to be most effective in inhibiting the growth of F. culmorum KF846 and the synthesis of DON, 3AcDON and ZEN under both laboratory and semi-controlled field conditions. Observations of the contact zones of the tested fungi in dual cultures exposed their mycoparasitic abilities against KF846. In addition, studies on liquid cultures have demonstrated the ability of these strains to eliminate F. culmorum toxins. Meanwhile, the strains of T. atroviride AN35 and T. cremeum AN392 used as soil inoculants in the field experiment showed a different effect on the content of toxins in ears (grains and chaffs), while improved wheat yield parameters, mainly grain health in both wheat cultivars. It is concluded that the selected Trichoderma and Clonostachys strains have a high potential to reduce the adverse effects of F. culmorum ear infection; therefore, they can be further considered in the context of potential biocontrol factors and as wheat crop improvers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium culmorum (Fc) is a hemibiotrophic plant fungal pathogen that causes crown and root rot disease in wheat. In this study, for the first time, a comparative proteomic analysis was made in seedling roots of two wheat cultivars Falat (susceptible) and Sumai3 (resistant) to understand defense responses induced during the early stage of Fc-infection. The patterns of differentially expressed protein spots (DEPs) were located on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis 48 h after F. culmorum inoculation and a total of 30 major protein spots were successfully identified by mass spectrometry. These proteins were grouped into diverse functional categories which were involved in cellular metabolism (70%), defense (10%), energy (10%) and cell structure (3%), while only two proteins were unknown (7%). Seven DEPs were equally up-regulated with significant expression changes in both cultivars, while seventeen DEPs such as isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, enolase which are related to cellular respiration besides lipoxygenase that is vital enzyme in jasmonate biosynthesis were up-regulated only in Sumai3. Likewise, RuBisCO, as a photosynthesis responsive DEPs, showed significantly higher abundance only in Falat. These results showed that the resistant cultivar provides required energy for combating pathogen by reducing photosynthesis and increasing cellular respiration during early stage of Fc-infection. Moreover, lipoxygenase as main marker of octadecanoid pathways solitary increased in resistant cv. Sumai3 and there is a direct correlation between expressed proteins and level of defense responses to crown and root rot disease in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]