Search Results (281)

Fungal decay fundamentally alters moisture transport in wood through complex bio-physical coupling mechanisms that remain poorly understood. Brown-rot fungi such as Coniophora puteana (Schumach.: Fr.) P. Karst. degrade wood through chelator-mediated Fenton (CMF) chemistry, producing hydroxyl radicals that depolymerise cellulose and hemicellulose before significant mass loss. This diffusion-dependent process requires elevated moisture content and leads to structural degradation. However, existing models fail to capture the interaction between boundary-driven fungal colonization, decay-induced property changes, and multi-phase multi-Fickian moisture redistribution, particularly the separate evolution of bound- and free-water phases during decay. Here, we present a transport-response bio-hygrothermal finite element model that couples boundary-driven Monod-type fungal colonization kinetics with multi-phase moisture transport (free water, bound water, vapor) in decaying wood. Although fungal biomass evolution is simulated via a reaction–diffusion equation, decay progression is not derived from biomass–substrate interaction but prescribed independently as an experimentally informed input. The model incorporates decay-modified sorption isotherms, permeability evolution, and boundary-driven biomass influx, along with associated moisture transport, into the governing equations. The model is validated against low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) measurements of C. puteana decay in Scots pine over 35 days. The model successfully reproduces the experimentally observed moisture evolution: a peak free-water content of 50%–70% during weeks 1–2, followed by a progressive decline, while bound water remains remarkably constant despite advancing decay. Monte Carlo uncertainty quantification demonstrates hierarchical parameter control: bound water is governed solely by thermodynamic factors, while free water responds to interacting biological and physical processes. Time-resolved correlation analysis shows a fundamental transition from colonization-dominated (weeks 1–2) to transport-dominated (weeks 3–5) moisture control, quantitatively explaining the experimentally observed shift from accumulation to depletion. This transport-response framework for analyzing moisture behavior under externally defined decay progression establishes quantitative parameter hierarchies that may inform the development of future substrate-coupled bio-hygrothermal models. Full article

Basidiomycetes can colonize sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill) xylem, causing white or brown rot and losses in wood quality. The aim of this study was to assess the degradative potential of five Basidiomycota strains (Armillaria mellea (Vahl) P. Kumm. (Am), Fistulina hepatica (Shaeff.) With. (Fh), and Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.) Murrill (Ls), and two strains of Ganoderma resinaceum Boud.) on three chestnut woods differing in chemistry. The woods differed in nitrogen content (0.3%–1.0%), carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio (43–150), and phenolic-related traits. In a 39-day laboratory assay, the five fungal strains were inoculated on three chestnut woods and compared for colonization time, extracellular enzymatic activity, and C mineralization. Fungal colonization strongly depended on fungus × wood interaction: L. sulphureus colonized all woods within 6 days, whereas the two G. resinaceum strains required 9–33 days depending on wood type; A. mellea and F. hepatica colonized only selected woods (up to 39 days). Enzymatic screening indicated laccase activity mainly in G. resinaceum (and to a lesser extent A. mellea), while L. sulphureus expressed cellulolytic activity but no laccase. Over 39 days, total C mineralization peaked under G. resinaceum on the two Sicilian woods (up to 270–300 mg CO₂–C g⁻¹ dry wood), whereas the Tuscan wood (highest C/N and phenolic content) markedly inhibited most strains; only L. sulphureus increased mineralization in this wood (85 mg CO₂–C g⁻¹ dry wood). These findings indicate that wood chemistry, especially C/N ratio and phenolic traits, strongly modulates strain-specific decay patterns. Overall, these results highlight the need for an integrated biological–biochemical approach to evaluate fungal decay potential and to inform both the selection of more durable chestnut woods for wood products and the identification of efficient strains to accelerate lignocellulosic biomass composting. Full article

This study investigates the efficacy of wollastonite-enriched acrylic paint in protecting spruce wood (Picea abies) against the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana. Unheated and heat-treated wood samples (185 °C for 4 h) were coated with either plain acrylic paint or wollastonite-enriched acrylic paint and exposed to the fungus. Fungal resistance was evaluated by measuring mass loss (ML) and compression strength parallel to the grain. While conventional acrylic coatings provide a physical barrier against moisture and limited microbial attack, their effectiveness against C. puteana is often insufficient. Our results show that untreated controls lost 23.8% of their mass, whereas plain acrylic paint reduced mass loss only slightly. In contrast, wollastonite-enriched paint significantly decreased ML in both unheated and heat-treated specimens, demonstrating superior antifungal performance. These findings indicate that incorporating wollastonite into acrylic paint enhances fungal resistance, offering a simple, environmentally friendly, and effective surface treatment for spruce wood. This study fills a research gap in the use of mineral additives in acrylic coatings and highlights a practical approach for improving wood durability against fungal decay. Full article

Tomato fruit rot severely impacts yield and quality, causing economic losses. This study aimed to identify the pathogenic fungi associated with post-harvest tomato fruit rot and characterize the transcriptomic responses of tomatoes. Pathogens were isolated from diseased tomato fruit tissues and identified using morphology, phylogenetic analysis, and in vitro pathogenicity tests. The genome of Cladosporium oxysporum Co-1 was assembled and annotated. RNA-seq analysis was used to profile transcriptional changes in tomatoes infected with C. oxysporum Co-1, with RT-qPCR validating the RNA-seq data and spectrophotometric assays analyzing the host physiological responses. Three pathogenic fungi were isolated. Colonies of C. oxysporum exhibited a near-circular shape, with colonies transitioning from an olive-green center to gray-green at the edges, and based on ITS, β-tubulin, and EF-1α gene sequences, this isolate exhibited 99% identity with C. oxysporum. The other two fungal isolates were identified as Alternaria alternata and Fusarium incarnatum, respectively, based on morphological and multi-locus sequence analysis. All three strains induced fruit rot and browning in tomatoes, confirming their pathogenicity. The genome size of C. oxysporum Co-1 was 34,515,558 bp, comprising 52 scaffolds with a GC content of 52.82%, and encoding 10,081 protein-coding genes. RNA-seq analysis showed dynamic gene expression changes in tomatoes infected with strain A, with differentially expressed genes enriched in pathogenicity-related pathways. Spectrophotometric assays revealed that peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities decreased initially followed by an increase post-inoculation with C. oxysporum, indicating that tomatoes defend against pathogen infection through the antioxidant enzyme system. These findings revealed the pathogenic fungi were associated with post-harvest tomato rot disease, provided genomic resources for C. oxysporum, and provided insight into the host’s response to this strain. Full article

Pomegranate heart rot (black heart) was observed in several pomegranate-growing areas of Algeria. From 2022 to 2025, surveys were conducted across 15 provinces (20 localities), and a total of 85 fruits (symptomatic and asymptomatic) were collected. Fruits were cut transversely to assess internal symptoms, ranging from early aril browning to dry black rot. Thirty Alternaria isolates were obtained and grouped into four morphotypes based on colony and conidial morphological traits. A subset of 18 isolates was analysed by multilocus phylogeny (ITS, EF-1α, GAPDH and OPA10-2); all analysed isolates clustered within the Alternaria alternata species complex, in the clade including the ex-type strain CBS 916.96. Fruit pathogenicity tests with Algerian isolate GA reproduced typical internal heart rot symptoms, and the pathogen was consistently re-isolated from symptomatic tissues. In fruit inoculations with isolate GA, cultivars differed in susceptibility, with mean disease severities of 94%, 62% and 9.5% in ‘Taferrante’, ‘Ikhessène’ and ‘Kares’, respectively, expressed as the percentage of the fruit section presenting rot symptoms. Detached leaf assays indicated isolate-dependent differences in aggressiveness, and ‘Kares’ showed the lowest susceptibility. Overall, the results confirm that A. alternata is the causal agent of pomegranate heart rot in Algeria and provide baseline information for disease diagnosis and management. Full article

Monilinia laxa and Colletotrichum fioriniae are major fungal pathogens causing brown rot and anthracnose in stone fruits and shell fruits, leading to significant economic losses. Chemical fungicides are widely applied but can result in resistance development, environmental contamination, and food safety concerns. Biological control using entomopathogenic bacteria (EPB) of the genus Photorhabdus has emerged as an eco-friendly alternative. This study evaluated the in vitro antifungal activity of selected Photorhabdus species (P. kayaii 1723B, P. temperata 3017, P. cinerea 3086, P. laumondii 3196, and P. thracensis 3210) against M. laxa (M3) and C. fioriniae (VV081) using drop-to-drop confrontation and poisoned agar assays. Effects of fermentation time, preparation mode (original vs. centrifuged and filtered), and concentration (5, 10, 20%) were examined. Species-specific inhibition was observed, with Median Inhibition Index values indicated relatively higher antifungal activity for P. thracensis 3210 against M. laxa (0.718) and C. fioriniae (0.552), followed by P. cinerea 3086 (0.643 and 0.552) and P. kayaii 1723B (0.629 and 0.541). Fermentation time and preparation mode influenced antifungal activity in a strain-dependent manner, with longer fermentation periods and original culture preparations generally showing stronger inhibitory trends. Higher concentrations, especially 20%, were often associated with increased inhibition, although the magnitude of these effects varied among strain–pathogen combinations. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the strain- and pathogen-specific nature of antifungal responses in Photorhabdus, supporting their potential as components of targeted biological control strategies rather than uniform broad-spectrum agents. Full article

Amylocorticiales forms a well-supported clade within Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota, and most of the species have resupinate basidiomes and cause brown rot on wood. It is one of the smallest orders of the basidiomycetes, with the species diversity and phylogeny being understudied. In the present study, we conduct phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated ITS + nLSU sequence dataset of the order with an emphasis on the samples from southern China. As a result, ten new lineages were found. Combined with the morphological evidence, two new genera and six new species are described and illustrated, and four new combinations are proposed. Amylophanerochaete hainanense gen. et sp. nov. is closely related to Serpulomyces but differs in having smooth hymenophores with rhizomorphs and narrowly cylindrical to slightly sigmoid amyloid basidiospores. The new genus Pseudoathelia is proposed to accommodate Leptosporomyces linzhiense and Athelia septentrionalis, two athelioid species. Four new species, viz. Amylocorticium athelioides, A. bisporum, A. guangxiense, and A. luteolum, collected from southern China, formed distinct lineages within the Amylocorticium clade. Serpulomyces borealis, the only species of the genus, is proven to be a species complex, while one new species, S. subborealis, and two new combinations, S. rhizomorphus and S. yunnanensis, transferred from Ceraceomyces, are found in the lineage. An identification key to all the known genera is provided. Full article

Snake fruit (Salacca zalacca (Gaertner) Voss) is renowned for its taste and nutritional value; however, the snake fruit rot diseases caused by fungal pathogens can lead to significant economic losses. In this study, a fungal isolate was obtained from the rotten snake fruit with brown rot symptoms at the fruit apex upon removal of the peel. The causal agent was identified as Thielaviopsis species based on cultural and morphometric characteristics. Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α) and beta-tubulin (tub2) genes revealed that the isolates Te 5742 clustered within Thielaviopsis euricoi Bat. & A. F. Vital. Furthermore, pathogenicity tests fulfilled Koch’s postulates, confirming T. euricoi as the pathogen responsible for the observed rot. This is the first report of T. euricoi causing fruit rot on snake fruit worldwide and will provide information on monitoring and management of snake fruit diseases in the garden and market. Full article

The natural durability of wood, determined primarily by its chemistry, meets the growing demand for environmentally sustainable alternatives to toxic wood preservatives. This study assessed the relationship between the fungitoxic acetone extractive content, in particular resin acids and stilbenes, and heartwood decay resistance among fifty-two Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold clones from a clonal seed orchard in Greece. Quantitative ¹H-NMR spectroscopy was employed to determine total stilbenes (TSs) and total resin acids (TRAs) in heartwood samples, while decay resistance was evaluated through standardized weight loss tests using the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana (Schumach.) P. Karst. (1865) and the white-rot fungus Porodaedalea pini (Brot.) Murrill (1905). The heartwood exhibited exceptionally high extractive content (mean TAE = 304.15 mg g_dhw⁻¹), with resin acids (68.26%) predominating over stilbenes (22.31%). Regression analysis showed that the TAE and TRAs were the strongest predictors of decay resistance, explaining 33% of the variance, while stilbenes exhibited weaker and more variable associations. P. pini caused significantly higher mean weight loss (11.43%) than C. puteana (3.55%), indicating species-specific fungal aggressiveness. Among individual resin acids, abietic acids were the most influential contributors to decay resistance. The results demonstrate that resin acids have a dominant role over stilbenes in determining the natural durability of P. nigra (Black pine) heartwood and could serve as effective biochemical markers for selective breeding. Full article

Diseases caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, expressed as leaf spot blotch (SB) and common root rot (CRR), continue to limit spring wheat production, particularly in dry regions where yield losses may reach 35–40%. This study evaluated resistance to SB and CRR in fifty spring wheat genotypes at both seedling and adult plant stages and identified genetic sources of resistance using molecular markers linked to the Sb1 and Sb2 genes. Field trials were conducted in 2023 and 2024 in the Aktobe region under natural infection, artificial inoculation, and a fungicide-treated background. Based on leaf spot blotch severity quantified as the area under the disease progress curve (leaf AUDPC) under natural infection, nine genotypes displayed stable resistance across both years, while fungicide-treated plots revealed twenty-three resistant genotypes in 2023 and eighteen in 2024. Artificial inoculation identified five resistant lines in 2023 and one in 2024. Resistance to common root rot (CRR) was assessed independently based on subcrown internode (SCI) browning at the adult plant stage. Seedling assays confirmed consistent resistance in six genotypes, all of which carried Sb1, Sb2, or their combination. In total, Sb genes were detected in thirty-six of the fifty accessions, including genotypes from Kazakhstan, Russia, and several other countries. The presence of Sb1 or Sb2 was associated with reduced disease severity, particularly at the seedling stage. These findings identify valuable germplasm for breeding wheat with improved resistance to B. sorokiniana in Kazakhstan. Full article

Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.), belonging to the genus Prunus in the Rosaceae family, is one of the most widely cultivated deciduous fruit trees globally. Plums are renowned for their round, sweet fruits, which are rich in a variety of bioactive compounds and are deeply loved by consumers. However, in 2021, alarming reddish-brown–dark brown sunken lesions appeared on the fruits of Qingcui plums in Wanzhou, Chongqing, China. The pathogens were identified as Colletotrichum nymphaeae, Fusarium sulawesiense, and Fusarium pernambucanum. The present study further describes the growth patterns and pathogenic differences of these strains in different environments, elucidating their infection mechanisms and pathogenic characteristics; these findings provide a theoretical basis for the efficient management of plum brown spot disease. Additionally, we determined that fluazinam is the most effective control agent against the plum brown rot caused by these pathogens. Notably, this study is the first to document plum brown spot disease induced by C. nymphaeae in China. These findings are intended to provide a vital theoretical framework for the scientific management and control of plum brown spot; furthermore, they underscore the necessity of proactive prevention strategies in agricultural settings. Full article

Soybean root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani is a yield-limiting disease in Northeast China, particularly under continuous monoculture and cool climatic conditions. Despite its agronomic impact, the epidemiology and fungicide resistance profile of the pathogen remain inadequately characterized. In this study, a comprehensive survey conducted in Heilongjiang Province yielded 990 pathogenic isolates belonging to 11 fungal species. Among them, 55 strains were identified as R. solani based on combined morphological and molecular analyses. These isolates induced typical symptoms of root and stem browning with constriction. Pathogenicity tests on 30 R. solani isolates indicated that 83.3% were highly pathogenic. The pathogen exhibited a distinct geographic distribution, with the highest percentage of pathogen isolation recorded in Jiamusi (26.6%), which accounted for 61.8% of all R. solani isolates. In vitro fungicide sensitivity assays demonstrated that fludioxonil and prochloraz were highly effective (EC₅₀ < 0.0050 µg·mL⁻¹), whereas resistance was observed to tebuconazole, difenoconazole, pyraclostrobin, and carbendazim. Pot experiments confirmed that fludioxonil seed treatment (15 g a.i./100 kg seeds) provided superior control efficacy (63.07%) compared to prochloraz (46.85%). These findings establish R. solani as a dominant causal agent of soybean root rot in the region and support the prioritized use of fludioxonil for sustainable disease management. By elucidating the pathogenicity, distribution, and resistance patterns of R. solani, this study provides critical insights for controlling soybean root rot in cold-climate production systems and facilitates the development of targeted management strategies. Full article

In the last decade, avocado production has increased in Italy due to the fruit’s high nutritional quality and economic value. During 2024, stem lesions, wood discoloration and dieback, often starting at the grafting point, were observed in young plants in a nursery in Sicily (Italy). Colletotrichum-like colonies were frequently isolated from symptomatic tissues. Multi-locus phylogenetic analysis (gapdh, chs-1, act, tub2, cal, gs and ApMat) was conducted on 11 representative isolates, identifying 6 as C. perseae and 5 as C. gloeosporioides sensu stricto (s.s.). Two representative isolates were selected for pathogenicity tests performed on 2-year-old avocado plants cultivated in a greenhouse. After two months, necrotic lesions, wood discoloration and reddish-brown streaking at the inoculation point were induced in both species. Additional inoculations of avocado fruit confirmed the ability of both species to cause fruit rot. All inoculated fungi were successfully re-isolated and identified, fulfilling Koch’s postulates. This is the first report of stem lesions and dieback caused by Colletotrichum species and the first occurrence of C. perseae in avocado plants in Europe. The results highlight the importance of early monitoring in nurseries during the propagation process and contribute to a better understanding of fungal diseases in avocado crops in Italy. Full article

Assessing decay-induced mechanical deterioration in hardwood components is essential for the conservation of northern Chinese timber heritage, where structural members such as the Dou and Gong have been exposed to complex environments for centuries. Within a unified experimental framework, this study systematically investigated the mechanical degradation behavior of two hardwood species commonly used in traditional timber buildings in northern China—elm (Ulmus pumila L.) and Chinese scholar tree (Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott)—subjected to controlled brown-rot fungal decay (Gloeophyllum trabeum) over decay durations of 0–6 months. Four mechanical loading configurations were considered: tension, bending, compression parallel to grain and compression perpendicular to grain. Decay progression was quantitatively characterized using mass loss rate (MLR), ultrasonic elastic modulus loss rate (ELR) and strength loss ratio (SLR). The two hardwoods exhibited distinct material- and loading-dependent deterioration patterns. Elm showed faster and more variable degradation, with clearer time-dependent strength loss under tension and bending, whereas Chinese scholar tree displayed slower and more scattered strength deterioration. For both species, elastic modulus reduction generally preceded measurable mass loss, indicating that modulus-based indicators are more sensitive to decay progression under the tested conditions. Correlation analyses further indicate that ELR tends to show more stable and consistent associations with strength loss than MLR across most loading modes. Overall, the results suggest that elastic modulus–based ultrasonic indicators have potential advantages for characterizing mechanical deterioration under controlled decay conditions. However, the findings are limited to the tested materials, decay scenarios and loading configurations, and further validation on aged or naturally decayed components is required before in situ application to heritage structures can be established. Full article

Daedaleanol B is a drimane-derived merosesquiterpenoid isolated from the brown-rot fungus Daedalea incana. Herein, we report its first enantioselective total synthesis from commercially available (+)-sclareolide. A one-pot transformation afforded 11-acetoxy drimane-8α-ol, which was saponificated and selectively esterified with enantiopure L-pyroglutamic acid to give crystalline hydroxy-daedaleanol. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of this intermediate, together with the known configuration of the chiral starting materials, enabled assignment of the absolute configuration of the daedaleanol B framework. Final elimination provided daedaleanol B, whose NMR data matched those reported for the natural product. Both hydroxy-daedaleanol and daedaleanol B exhibited time- and concentration-dependent antiproliferative effects in HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, with higher activity observed for daedaleanol B. Full article