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Fungi isolated from tobacco leaves and brown-spot lesions before and after flue-curing.

Discs of tissue excised from ripe nonflue-cured and flue-cured tobacco leaves, harvested on six dates and cultured on three selective media, yielded 21 and 24 genera of fungi, respectively. Of 5,094 fungi isolated from 3,240 pieces of nonfluecured leaf tissue, 89.5% comprised five genera, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Trichoderma, and Nigrospora. Of 2,494 fungi isolated from 3,240 pieces of flue-cured leaf tissue, 70.9% were Alternaria, Cladosporium Epicoccum, Aspergillus, and Nigrospora. Flue-cured and nonflue-cured brown-spot lesions harvested at two locations yielded 12 and 14 genera of fungi, respectively. Alternaria, Penicillium, Phoma, and Stemphyllium comprised 91.5% of the 2,245 fungi isolated from noncured and 87.1% of the 1,118 fungi isolated from the cured lesions. The number and kinds of fungi obtained from diseased and healthy tissue were reduced but not eliminated by flue-curing.

Journal Article↗

Interactions among Scolytid bark beetles, their associated fungi, and live host conifers.

Scolytid bark beetles that colonize living conifers are frequently associated with specific fungi that are carried in specialized structures or on the body surface. These fungi are introduced into the tree during the attack process. The continuing association suggests that there is mutual benefit to the fitness of both beetles and fungi. The fungal species may benefit from the association with the beetles by transport to new host trees. Beetle species may benefit from the association with fungi by feeding on the fungi, or by the fungi contributing to the death of the host trees through mycelial penetration of host tissue, toxin release, interactions with preformed and induced conifer defenses, or the combined action of both beetles and fungi during colonization. Extensive research has been directed towards characterizing the interactions of beetle-fungal complexes with live host conifers and determining the ecological advantages for maintaining the associations. However, differences among systems and how species interact under different population and environmental conditions make it difficult to generalize about the importance of the separate biological components in successful host colonization.

Journal Article↗

Poisoning due to eating fungi in Victoria.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the range of fungi eaten in Victoria and the incidence and severity of associated illness. METHOD: From May 1997 to April 1999, 174 callers to the Victorian Poisons Information Centre who had eaten fungi posted samples for identification and 170 completed a questionnaire. The study was suspended for three months from 1 November 1997 to 10 January 1998 and for four months from 1 July 1998 to 30 October 1998. RESULTS: Species categorised as: 'poisonous', 'possibly poisonous', 'hallucinogenic', 'possibly hallucinogenic' and 'coprine containing' or 'possibly coprine containing' were identified in 87/174 (50%) samples. Accidental ingestions: 55 types of fungus were identified in the 126 ingestions; Coprinus species were the most common (24/126 [19%]). Illness 'likely' or 'possibly' due to the fungi was reported in 13/126 (10%) of these ingestions. Deliberate ingestions: The fungi were eaten for food in 46/47 of these cases; 41 of these (89%) were Agaricus xanthodermus or other Agaricus species. Illness 'likely' or 'possibly' due to the fungi was reported in 40/47 (85%) deliberate ingestions. In one case the reason for ingestion was unknown. CONCLUSIONS: A large range of fungi was eaten in the accidental ingestions; the incidence of illness was low. A small range of fungi was eaten deliberately. The predominant species was Agaricus xanthodermus, which was probably confused with other edible Agaricus species. The incidence of associated gastrointestinal irritation was high; it was of limited duration and mild severity.

Adolescent↗

[The assessment of the sensitivity of environmental fungi to urea phosphate].

In this paper the authors presented the influence of various urea phosphate doses, 1-12%, on the environmental fungi growth depending on its intensity and the type of created spore e.g. (Penicillium italicum, Aspergillusfumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium resinae, Mucor hiemalis i Rhizopus nigricans). The result of urea phosphate effect on fungi was estimated by static culture method using dry mass increase change [g. dry mass/ldm3]. The control was created by the growth of the above mentioned fungi on the basis of urea phosphate free soil. The obtained results were worked out by a statistic method using Duncan's test. The tested fungi showed different sensitivity to the various urea phosphate doses. In the presence of 1% urea phosphate the fungi sensitivity depended on their growth intensity (Aspergillus niger, Mucor hiemalis i Rhizopus nigricans). Additionally, the stimulation of fungi growth with rapid vegetative structure progress was observed. Independently of their physiological properties, significant inhibition of dry mass increase in the range of 3-12% concentration urea phosphate was observed. The result of the use of 3% urea phosphate was the reduction of dry mass growth of all tested fungi.

Antifungal Agents↗

[Phagocytosis of fungi in the peripheral blood neutrophils of two children with cancer during treatment with fluconazole].

We report on two children with malignancy who showed fungemia despite the antifungal treatment with fluconazole. Case 1 was a 7-year-old girl with a recurrence of stage IV neuroblastoma. She had profound neutropenia and fungemia developed after a month-long treatment with fluconazole. Her peripheral blood smear showed phagocytosis in the neutrophils and they were identified as fungi by immunofluorescence method (Fungi flora Y). She died two days after the diagnosis of fungemia. Rhodotorula rubra was isolated after her death. Case 2 was a 2-year-old boy with disseminated Langerhans cell histiocytosis. He had profound neuropenia and fungemia developed after treatment with fluconazole for 6 months. His peripheral blood smear also showed phagocytosis in the neutrophils and they were identified as fungi by Fungi flora Y. He was treated with intravenously administered amphotericin-B. However, he died 13 days after the diagnosis of fungemia. Candida guilliermondii was isolated after his death. Careful observation of the peripheral blood smear is important for early detection of fungi and Fungi flora Y is a quick and useful method to identify fungi. Fluconazole-resistant fungus should be considered when patients with neutorpenia are treated prophylactically with fluconazole for a long time.

Antifungal Agents↗

Fermentation of cellulose and production of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes by anaerobic fungi from ruminant and non-ruminant herbivores.

Four anaerobic fungi were grown on filter paper cellulose and monitored over a 7-8 days period for substrate utilisation, fermentation products, and secretion of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes. Two of the fungi (N1 and N2) were Neocallimastix species isolated from a ruminant (sheep) and the other two fungi were Piromyces species (E2 and R1) isolated from an Indian Elephant and an Indian Rhinoceros, respectively. The tested anaerobic fungi degraded the filter paper cellulose almost completely and estimated cellulose digestion rates were 0.25, 0.13, 0.21 and 0.18 g.l-1.h-1 for strains E2, N1, N2, R1, respectively. All strains secreted cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes, including endoglucanase, exoglucanase, beta-glucosidase and xylanase. Strain E2 secreted the highest levels of enzymes in a relatively short time. The product formation on avicel by enzymes secreted by the four fungi was studied. Both in the presence and absence of glucurono-1,5-delta-lactone, a specific inhibitor of beta-glucosidase, mainly glucose was formed but no cellobiose. Therefore the exoglucanase secreted by the four fungi is probably a glucohydrolase.

Anaerobiosis↗

Selective effects of two systemic fungicides on soil fungi.

BAS 317 00F was not toxic to the total count of fungi after 2 days but was regularly significantly toxic at the three doses after 5, 20 and 40 days and toxic at the low and the high doses after 80 days. In the agar medium, it was toxic to the counts of total fungi. Aspergillus, A. terreus, Rhizopus oryzae and Mucor racemosus at the high dose. Only the mycelial growth of Trichoderma viride which was significantly inhibited by the three doses when this fungicide was added to the liquid medium. Polyram-Combi induced two effects on the total population of soil fungi. One inhibitory and this was demonstrated almost regularly after 2, 10 and 40 days and the other stimulatory after 80 days of treatment with the low and the high doses. In the agar medium, this fungicide was very toxic to total fungi and to almost all fungal genera and species at the three doses. Several fungi could survive the high dose. In liquid medium, the test fungi showed variable degree of sensitivity and the most sensitive was Gliocladium roseum which was completely eradicated by the three doses.

Culture Media↗

Antagonism between bacteria and fungi on decomposing aquatic plant litter.

Bacterial and fungal decomposers of aquatic plant litter may exhibit either synergistic or antagonistic interactions, which are likely to influence microbial growth as well as the decomposition of litter and, eventually, the carbon metabolism of aquatic systems. To elucidate such interactions, we inoculated decomposing Phragmites culms in microcosms with fungal isolates and with natural communities of bacteria and fungi in different combinations. The development of fungal and bacterial biomass and the carbon dynamics were studied during several months of degradation. The results show a bilateral antagonistic relationship between bacteria and fungi. After 3 months, fungal biomass accumulation was approximately 12 times higher in the absence than in the presence of bacteria. Bacterial biomass accumulation was about double in the absence of fungi compared to when fungi were present. Similar interactions developed between a natural assemblage of bacteria and five different fungal strains isolated from Phragmites litter (three identified hyphomycetes and two unidentified strains). Despite the great difference in biomass development between the treatments, the carbon metabolism was similar regardless of whether fungi and/or bacteria were present alone or in coexistence. We suggest that the antagonism between bacteria and fungi is an important controlling factor for microbial colonization and growth on aquatic plant litter.

Bacteria↗

Relative importance of bacteria and fungi in a tropical headwater stream: leaf decomposition and invertebrate feeding preference.

Bacteria and fungi provide critical links between leaf detritus and higher trophic levels in forested headwater food webs, but these links in tropical streams are not well understood. We compared the roles of bacteria and fungi in the leaf decomposition process and determining feeding preference for two species of freshwater shrimp found in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico, using experimental microcosms. We first tested the effects of four treatments on decomposition rates for leaves from two common riparian species, Cecropia scheberiana (Moraceae) and Dacryodes excelsa (Burseraceae), in laboratory microcosms. Treatments were designed to alter the microbial community by minimizing the presence of bacteria or fungi. The fastest decay rate was the control treatment for D. excelsa where both bacteria and fungi were present (k = -0.0073 day(-1)) compared to the next fastest rate of k = -0.0063 day(-1) for the bacterial-conditioned D. excelsa leaves. The fastest decay rate for C. scheberiana was also the control treatment (k = -0.0035 day(-1)), while the next fastest rate was for fungal-conditioned leaves (k = -0.0029 day(-1)). The nonadditive effect for leaf decomposition rates observed in the control treatments where both fungi and bacteria were present indicate that bacteria and fungi perform different functions in processing leaf litter. Additionally, leaf types differed in microbial colonization patterns. We next tested feeding preference for leaf type and microbe treatment in microcosms using two species of freshwater shrimp: Xiphocaris elongata, a shredder, and Atya lanipes, a scraper/filterer. To estimate feeding preferences of individual shrimp, we measured change in leaf surface area and the amount of particles generated during 5-day trials in 16 different two-choice combinations. X. elongata preferred D. excelsa over C. scheberiana, and leaves with microbial conditioning over leaves without conditioning. There was no clear preference for fungal-conditioned leaves over bacterial-conditioned leaves. This lack of preference for which microbes were responsible for the conditioning demonstrates the importance of both bacterial and fungal resources in these tropical stream food web studies.

Animals↗

Selection of appropriate host plants used in trap culture of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in coalmine spoil, island forest and saline soils were enriched in pot culture with maize (Zea mays L.), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), white clover (Trifolium repens Linn.) and silverweed cinquefoil (Potentilla anserina L.). Based on spores, there were more species of AM fungi in the coalmine spoil (15 species, 3 genera), than in the forest soil (11 species, 4 genera) and the saline soil (5 species, 2 genera). In the trap cultures, the total of 28 species in Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Glomus, and Sclerocystis detected in the original soils were all recovered with at least one of the four trap plants. The highest spore and species numbers were recovered in trap cultures of T. repens inoculated with coalmine spoil. Glomus constrictum and Glomus multicaule were the dominant species associated with N. tabacum grown in saline soil and forest soil. The dominant species of AM fungi on the four hosts was Acaulospora mellea, which had over 90% of the spore incidence in pot trap culture in coalmine spoil. It is suggested that there be selectivity between host plants and AM fungi. The number of species of AM fungi detected was influenced by host plants under certain conditions and white clover was generally the optimal host plant to detect diversity of AM fungi.

Fungi↗

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-parasite-host interaction for the control of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench].

Five Glomus species (G. intraradices, G. albidum, G. mosseae, G. fasciculatum, and G. etunicatum) were compared against a check [without arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plus Striga] and control (without AM fungi or Striga) treatments for the control of Striga in a tolerant sorghum variety (War-wara bashi) in an experiment carried out in 12-cm-diameter clay pots. The experiment was carried out in a controlled growth chamber. G. mosseae significantly reduced the number of Striga emerging per plant, increased plant growth, shoot and total dry matter yield of sorghum, did not affect the root dry matter compared with the other AM fungi species, but had a comparable effect to the control treatment. All the AM fungi except G. mosseae, and also the Striga-infested treatment, increased the root:shoot ratio compared to the control treatment. The percent reduction (62%) of Striga emergence after G. mosseae inoculation resulted in about a 30% increase in total dry matter yield of sorghum over the control, while the total loss in dry matter yield of sorghum due to Striga infestation was 36%. Root colonization of sorghum by AM fungi was highest for G. mosseae (44%) followed by G. intraradices (24%) and G. albidum (23%) then G. fasciculatum (18%), with the lowest recorded for G. etunicatum (14%). No colonization of Striga roots was observed. The potential of AM fungi to reduce or to compensate for Striga infestation could be important for soil management, especially in the tropics, and for the reduction of Striga-resistant varieties of sorghum which are mycorrhiza-responsive.

Fungi↗

Field response of wheat to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and drought stress.

Mycorrhizal plants often have greater tolerance to drought than nonmycorrhizal plants. This study was conducted to determine the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi inoculation on growth, grain yield and mineral acquisition of two winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars grown in the field under well-watered and water-stressed conditions. Wheat seeds were planted in furrows after treatment with or without the AM fungi Glomus mosseae or G. etunicatum. Roots were sampled at four growth stages (leaf, tillering, heading and grain-filling) to quantify AM fungi. There was negligible AM fungi colonization during winter months following seeding (leaf sampling in February), when soil temperature was low. During the spring, AM fungi colonization increased gradually. Mycorrhizal colonization was higher in well-watered plants colonized with AM fungi isolates than water-stressed plants. Plants inoculated with G. etunicatum generally had higher colonization than plants colonized with G. mosseae under both soil moisture conditions. Biomass and grain yields were higher in mycorrhizal than nonmycorrhizal plots irrespective of soil moisture, and G. etunicatum inoculated plants generally had higher biomass and grain yields than those colonized by G. mosseae under either soil moisture condition. The mycorrhizal plants had higher shoot P and Fe concentrations than nonmycorrhizal plants at all samplings regardless of soil moisture conditions. The improved growth, yield and nutrient uptake in wheat plants reported here demonstrate the potential of mycorrhizal inoculation to reduce the effects of drought stress on wheat grown under field conditions in semiarid areas of the world.

Agriculture↗

Oribatid mite (Acari, Oribatida) feeding on ectomycorrhizal fungi.

The coexistence of a large number of soil animals without extensive niche differentiation is one of the great riddles in soil biology. The main aim of this study was to explore the importance of partitioning of food resources for the high diversity of micro-arthropods in soil. In addition, we investigated if ectomycorrhizal fungi are preferentially consumed compared to saprotrophic fungi. Until today, ectomycorrhizal fungi have never been tested as potential food resource for oribatid mites. We offered six ectomycorrhizal fungi [Amanita muscaria (L.) Hook., Boletus badius (Fr.) Fr., Cenococcum geophilum Fr., Laccaria laccata (Scop.) Fr., Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr. and Piloderma croceum J. Erikss. & Hjortstam], one ericoid mycorrhizal fungus [Hymenoscyphus ericae (D.J. Read) Korf & Kernan] and three saprotrophic fungi [Agrocybe gibberosa (Fr.) Fayod, Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. and Mortierella ramanniana (A. Møller) Linnem.] simultaneously to each of the mainly mycophagous oribatid mite species Carabodes femoralis (Nicolet), Nothrus silvestris Nicolet and Oribatula tibialis Nicolet. The ericoid mycorrhizal fungus H. ericae and the ectomycorrhizal fungus B. badius were preferentially consumed by each oribatid mite species. However, feeding preferences differed significantly between the three species, with O. tibialis being most selective. This study for the first time documented that oribatid mites feed on certain ectomycorrhizal fungi.

Acari↗

Distribution of dominant arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi among five plant species in undisturbed vegetation of a coastal grassland.

Most plant species in mixed grassland vegetation are colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Previous studies have reported differences in host preferences among AM fungi, although the fungi are known to lack host specificity. In the present study, the distribution of phylogenetic groups of AM fungi belonging to a clade of Glomus species was studied in five plant species from a coastal grassland in Denmark. The occurrence of the fungi was determined by PCR analyses of fungal large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences amplified from root fragments using a specific primer set. The results showed that the dominant Glomus species were able to colonize all the studied plant species, supporting the view that the AM fungi represent a large underground interconnecting mycelial network.

Asteraceae↗

Mycorrhizal and dark septate endophytic fungi of Pedicularis species from northwest of Yunnan Province, China.

Colonization of mycorrhizal and root endophytic fungi in 14 Pedicularis species from northwest of Yunnan Province, southwest China, was examined. These species included: Pedicularis gracilis Wall., Pedicularis longipes Maxim., Pedicularis axillaris Franch., Pedicularis cephalantha Franch., Pedicularis tenuisecta Franch., Pedicularis tapaoensis Tsoong, Pedicularis likiangensis Franch., Pedicularis dichotoma Bonati, Pedicularis yui Li, Pedicularis rhinanthoides Schrenk, Pedicularis rex C.B. Clarke, Pedicularis longiflora Rudolph., Pedicularis siphonantha Don, and Pedicularis oxycarpa Franch., among which nine are endemic to China (one to Yunnan). Three types of potentially beneficial fungi associated with roots of these species were observed, namely, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, ectomycorrhizal fungi, and dark septate endophytic fungi (DSEF), with DSEF as the most common colonizers. An unexpected high colonization level was detected in this hemiparasitic genus. Of the 19 sampling sites examined, 10 gave colonization frequency of above 50% and 6 showed a colonization index of above 50. Heavy colonization suggested a significant ecological role of these fungi and their potential to be applied to successful cultivation of these intractable plants.

China↗

An evaluation of soil colonisation potential of selected fungi and their production of ligninolytic enzymes for use in soil bioremediation applications.

Initially sixteen fungi were screened for potential ligninolytic activity using decolourisation of a polymeric dye Poly R-478. From this, four fungi were selected, Trametes versicolor, Pleurotus ostreatus, Collybia sp., and an isolate (identified as Rhizoctonia solani) isolated from a grassland soil. Differences in the ligninolytic enzyme profiles of each of the fungi were observed. All of the four fungi tested produced MnP and laccase while the Collybia sp. and R. solani produced LiP in addition. Enzyme activity levels also varied greatly over the 21 days of testing with T. versicolor producing levels of MnP and laccase three to four times greater than the other fungi. The four fungi were then tested for their ability to colonise sand, peat (forest) and basalt and marl mixed till (field) soils through visual measurement and biomass detection in soil microcosms. Trametes versicolor and the Collybia sp. failed to grow in any of the non-sterilised soils whereas the R. solani and P. ostreatus isolates grew satisfactorily. Primers were designed to detect MnP and laccase genes in P. ostreatus and RTPCR was used to detect that these genes are expressed in forest and field soils.

Anthraquinones↗

Cultivation of entomopathogenic fungi for the search of antibacterial compounds.

Entomopathogenic fungi are a rich source of natural bioactive compounds. To establish cultivation conditions which facilitate the production of bioactive compounds and to select good genera among entomopathogenic fungi as the producer, 47 typical entomopathogenic fungi were tested for their ability to produce antibiotic activity. Thirty-eight strains (81%) and 30 strains (64%) of these fungi produced either anti-Bacillus compounds or anti-Staphylococcus compounds, respectively, indicating that the majority of the entomopathogenic fungi tested possessed the ability to produce antibacterial compounds. Using 9 representative strains (Aschersonia sp. HF724, Beauveria bassiana HF338, Cordyceps ramosopulvinata HF746, Metarhizium anisopliae HF293, Metarhizium flavoviride HF698, Nomuraea rileyi HF588, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus HF254, Paecilomyces tenuipes HF419, and Verticillium lecanii HF238), the cultivation conditions in liquid medium were surveyed with respect to the cultivation procedure and medium composition, particularly in terms of the presence or absence of insect-derived materials. At 26 degrees C, M. anisopliae HF293, N. rileyi HF588, and V. lecanii HF238 strains produced clear antibiotic activity against Bacillus and Saccharomyces, but only in the presence of insect-derived materials, suggesting that the production of antibacterial/antifungal compounds by entomopathogenic fungi is triggered by the presence of insect-derived materials.

Animals↗

Effects of combining the fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on the mortality of the tick Amblyomma variegatum (ixodidae) in relation to seasonal changes.

The effect of formulation, fungal concentration, type and seasonal changes on the mortality of the tick Amblyomma variegatum was investigated. A previous study demonstrated high pathogenicity of strains of the fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against the ticks Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum (Kaaya et al. J Invertebr Pathol 1996; 67: 15-20). The present study was undertaken to explore possible additive or synergistic effects of the two fungi on A. variegatum. The effects of oil and water formulations at different concentrations of each fungus and combination of the two on the mortality of A. variegatum in the laboratory and in the field during the wet and dry seasons were determined and compared. The oil formulation performed better in all assays, with highest tick mortality of 92% occurring during the wet season at conidia concentration of 1 x 10(10) conidia/ml of the mixed fungi compared to 49% for the water formulation at similar conidia concentration. However, at the same conidial concentration during the dry season, mortalities in the field were relatively low with the mixture of the fungi recording 24% and 17% tick mortality for the oil and water formulation respectively. The effect of infecting the ticks with a cocktail of the two fungi was inconclusive under more controlled conditions in the laboratory but field results under both wet and dry seasons indicated significant differences between the separate and mixed fungi infections. The results demonstrate a potential of cocktail formulations in the control of ticks and possibly of other arthropod pests.

Animals↗