Search Results (87)

In this research we analyzed land cover/use processes and their impact on biodiversity in the Megalopolis of Mexico City. We used land cover/use databases from 1976 and 2018, both validated, improved and adapted for conducting landscape dynamic analysis. We also included records of 159 threatened species of fungi, vascular plants and vertebrates to construct spatially explicit biodiversity richness models based upon niche ecological algorithms. The results showed that human settlement encroachment (35%, 1892 km²) was the main factor driving land cover/use changes, significantly affecting rural and natural landscapes. The extent and location of the dramatic shrinking of agricultural land was clearly demonstrated (47.22%). Afforestation was the second most important land cover/use process occurring mainly on conversion of native grasslands and shrubland into forest cover mainly with non-local tree species. Biodiversity richness was depleted substantially, affecting 36.7% of the largest hotspots by human settlement encroachment. On the mountain peaks, as vestiges of temperate Nearctic ecosystems, with a large number of endemic and threatened species, remnants of the high potential richness of biodiversity are still conserved. The results are discussed in the light of interdisciplinary methodological approaches, potential water recharge, governance of territorial disputes, loss of cultural heritage and poorly implemented environmental policies. Furthermore, the study highlights the urgent need to generate an innovative model for development which gives equal importance to the conservation of natural and rural landscapes as a fundamental form of subsistence for human settlements. Protecting biocultural heritage is of paramount importance. The region’s genetic resources and cultural diversity are unique and have played a fundamental role in providing various benefits from nature to urban and rural inhabitants. These findings can serve as a guide for other similar megacities around the world. Full article

The effects of biochar on soil N₂O emissions remain contentious, and the microbiological processes involved are not yet fully understood. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, key players in soil nitrogen (N) cycling, may mediate the impact of biochar on plant N uptake and N₂O emissions, but this interaction remains unclear. This study involved a two-year field experiment to examine how varying biochar application rates affect soil microbial communities, particularly AM fungi at rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) farmland, and to assess how AM fungi influence soil N₂O emissions and maize growth under biochar addition with two AM fungi treatments (with and without suppression of native AM fungi). The results revealed that biochar significantly enhanced soil microbial diversity, especially the variety and richness of AM fungi. Biochar addition improved soil physicochemical parameters, including soil water content, bulk density, and inorganic N availability. Biochar also decreased AOA and AOB gene abundances, increased AM fungal gene abundances, lowered (nirK + nirS)/nosZ ratio, and reduced soil N₂O emissions. Suppression of native AM fungi increased N₂O emissions throughout the rainfed maize growing period, accompanied by a higher (nirK + nirS)/nosZ ratio. Biochar addition combined with non-suppressed AM fungi promoted maize growth, with the highest yield observed at 20 t ha⁻¹ biochar. Overall, biochar decreased N₂O emissions and strengthened the performance of AM fungi in rainfed maize farmland, highlighting the vital role of AM fungi s in soil N cycling under biochar addition. This study offers a scientific basis for using biochar in reducing N₂O emissions and increasing crop yield in dry farmland. Full article

Increasing consumer demand for natural and safe food products has led to the exploration of biocontrol alternatives to chemical preservatives, especially in the cured meat industry. The yeast Debaryomyces hansenii has emerged as a promising biocontrol candidate due to its antagonistic properties against spoilage fungi. This study assessed the impact of D. hansenii inoculation on the fungal community structure of Iberian cured pork loin using high-throughput sequencing of the ITS1 region. Ion Torrent ITS1 amplicon sequencing, QIIME2/DADA2 pipeline, and ALDEx2 differential abundance analysis were applied to this study. Pork loin samples inoculated with D. hansenii were compared to non-inoculated controls to evaluate changes in the fungal microbiome. Inoculation resulted in a marked decrease in fungal diversity and evenness, indicating strong competition by D. hansenii against native fungal populations. This effect was reflected in a significant reduction in alpha diversity in inoculated samples (Shannon, p = 0.0042; Pielou p = 0.0075; Gini–Simpson, p = 0.0081). Notably, genera associated with spoilage and mycotoxin production, particularly Aspergillus and Penicillium, were significantly reduced in inoculated samples. Simultaneously, D. hansenii became dominant, reducing other yeasts and filamentous fungi. These findings highlight the powerful competitive and biocontrol potential of D. hansenii, demonstrating its ability to improve microbial safety by potentially reducing mycotoxin-associated risks through the suppression of toxigenic genera. This is the first study to characterise the fungal community of Iberian pork loin using metabarcoding under D. hansenii inoculation. The findings confirm that the inoculation of D. hansenii can substantially reduce fungal contamination risks. Overall, the results contribute valuable insights into microbial interactions during meat curing and underscore the practical benefits of targeted starter cultures for enhancing food safety and quality. Full article

Soil fumigation effectively mitigates replanting obstacles induced by intensive cultivation, yet its non-targeted biocidal effects can suppress beneficial microbial activity, potentially compromising agricultural sustainability. Microbial inoculation, as a strategy to supplement beneficial microorganisms, is often employed to restore soil microbial communities. However, in practice, commonly used exogenous microbial consortia exhibit poor adaptability in non-native environments, frequently resulting in limited efficacy. To address this limitation, we propose an ecological intervention based on the reintroduction of indigenous cultivable microorganisms: cultivable microbial communities were isolated from healthy adjacent soils and inoculated into fumigated soils affected by replanting obstacles. The experimental soil consisted of black soil under continuous cropping, collected from Northeast China. The three treatments were continuous cropping soil (control), fumigated continuous cropping soil and fumigated continuous cropping soil after inoculation of indigenous cultivable microorganisms. Using high-throughput sequencing and agronomic–chemical analyses, combined with cross-domain networks and procrustes analysis, we systematically assessed the ecological effects of this approach on microbial restoration and the alleviation of replanting obstacles. The results showed that indigenous cultivable microorganism inoculation significantly increased the richness of bacterial and fungal communities in fumigated soils within 21 days, extending microbial richness and diversity. Furthermore, inoculation accelerated the reconstruction of dominant microbial community structures, with the relative abundance of dominant species reaching up to 80%. Positive synergistic interactions between bacteria and fungi increased by approximately 10%, enhancing network stability. Key bacterial taxa, such as Paenibacillus and Mycobacterium, were significantly correlated with available potassium and phosphorus content, while Micromonospora, Massilia, and Flavisolibacter influenced plant fresh weight, total nitrogen, and potassium accumulation. Key fungal taxa, such as Cryptococcus and Phialemonium, were significantly associated with soil organic matter stability, maize photosynthetic efficiency, plant dry weight, and total phosphorus content. This study confirms the ecological adaptability and functionality of indigenous cultivable microorganisms in soil ecosystem restoration, offering a low-risk, highly effective localized intervention strategy for sustainable agriculture. Full article

Forest plantations, including those of Norway spruce, are increasingly threatened by drought in Central Europe. One of the measures understating this threat might be the use of drought-mitigative additives at planting. The effects of induced water limitation and the application of hydrogel Agrisorb and commercial ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) inoculum Ectovit on the development of 2 + 1 spruce seedlings were estimated in this study. The root systems of 2 + 0 seedlings were treated with the additives, along with their spring transplantation into peat-filled pots. The seedlings were then exposed throughout the entire growing season either to full watering (FW)—volumetric soil water content 70%, reduced watering (RW)—water content 40%, periodic watering (PW)—substrate rehydrated to 70% after drying to the wilting point (21%), or remained non-watered (NW). Survival, growth and chlorophyll fluorescence of the seedlings decreased proportionally to the increased drought intensity, while the highest root-to-shoot ratio and EMF colonization of roots occurred under PW and RW, respectively. NW seedlings died after 9 weeks of desiccation, whereas the EMF inoculum prolonged the survival time by one week. Ectomycorrhizas were formed predominantly with native EMF in all the treatments; nevertheless, compared with the uninoculated control, the formation of a treatment-specific EMF root morphotype and increased EMF colonization under PW and RW were observed on the inoculated seedlings. Both the EMF inoculum and the hydrogel increased survival under PW by approximately 15% but did not significantly affect growth, regardless of the watering regime. These results are limited to the experimental conditions and suggest a more dominant effects of the watering regimes compared with the additives tested. Full article

This study evaluates the ecological impact of Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust) invasion on native chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) groves on Mount Amiata (Central Italy), focusing on both plant and macrofungal community dynamics. Surveys were conducted over a three-year period (2022–2024) across 16 plots to assess shifts in taxonomic alpha diversity, species richness, and trophic guild structure. Our results demonstrate that while R. pseudoacacia stands exhibit a higher Shannon–Wiener index for plants, native chestnut groves host significantly greater species richness and higher taxonomic distinctiveness across both biological groups. A major shift in fungal functional structure was observed with chestnut-dominated plots characterized by a predominance of ectomycorrhizal species (58.3%), whereas invaded stands were heavily dominated by saprotrophic fungi (73.4%). Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) further confirmed a clear separation in community composition between the two forest types, indicating that R. pseudoacacia invasion leads to a homogenization of the forest biota and a potential decline in ecosystem health, as evidenced by the sharp reduction in mycorrhizal diversity. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring macrofungal communities as sensitive bioindicators of the ecological degradation caused by invasive woody species. Full article

Background: Artificial inoculation of Epichloë endophytes into elite forage germplasm aims to establish beneficial symbioses for developing high-yield, high-quality, and stress-tolerant cultivars, but host specificity of the fungi often causes compatibility issues in non-natural hosts. Methods: The E. bromicola isolated from native wild barley was inoculated into cultivated wild barley (Hordeum brevisubulatum) and cultivated barley (Hordeum valgare), forming Hb+Eb and Hv+Eb. The NHb+Eb (native wild barley naturally infected with E. bromicola) served as a control. We analyzed fungal colonization patterns and symbiotic gene regulation to clarify the compatibility between E. bromicola and non-natural hosts. Results: Compared with NHb+Eb and Hb+Eb, E. bromicola in Hv+Eb showed obvious hyphal vacuolization. E. bromicola colonization altered host trichome morphology and induced stomatal closure. Correspondingly, expression of the siderophore biosynthesis gene sidN and the NADPH oxidase complex genes (NoxA, NoxB, NoxR, RacA) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in Hv+Eb than in Hb+Eb and NHb+Eb. Conclusions: This study reveals that the incompatibility between cultivated barley and E. bromicola is characterized by altered hyphal morphology, which is linked to the downregulation of sidN and Nox. These findings provide a critical theoretical foundation for developing highly compatible cereal-Epichloë germplasms. Full article

Berry crops such as strawberry Fragaria × ananassa (Weston), raspberry Rubus idaeus L., blackberry Rubus ulmifolius Schott, 1818, and blueberry Vaccinium myrtillus L. are economically and nutritionally valuable worldwide. However, the intensive use of synthetic pesticides for pest management in these crops has led to ecological imbalance, pest resistance, and negative effects on non-target organisms and human health. The integration of biological control agents into sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) systems represents an alternative. This review compiles and evaluates current advances in the application of baculoviruses (BVs), entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), nematodes (EPNs), predatory mites (PMs), and parasitoid wasps (PWs) for pest suppression in berry crops. Emphasis was placed on their ecological interactions, host specificity, and compatibility within IPM frameworks. The combined use of micro- and macrobiological control agents effectively reduces key pest populations. However, field efficacy remains influenced by abiotic stressors such as UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and chemical incompatibility. The integration of native micro- and macrobiological control agents of through conservation biological control (CBC) strategies can enhance sustainability in berry production systems. Future efforts should focus on formulation improvements, adaptive management under field conditions, and synergistic interactions among microbial and arthropod natural enemies. Full article

Epichloë is a genus of endophytic fungi that forms systemic, vertically transmitted, and asymptomatic mutualistic associations with grasses in the subfamily Pooideae. These symbioses are non-pathogenic and are of considerable importance in agronomic and livestock systems due to their roles in enhancing host fitness under biotic and abiotic stress. Several studies have reported associations between Epichloë endophytes and species of the genus Bromus, a taxonomically complex group characterized by varying ploidy levels and frequent hybridization. Among its sections, Bromopsis includes the highest number of species naturally colonized by Epichloë fungi, while sections Bromus and Ceratochloa show lower infection rates. In South America, endophytes such as E. pampeana, E. tembladerae, E. typhina, and morphotypes of Neotyphodium spp. have been documented in species including B. auleticus, B. brachyanthera, and B. setifolius, where they appear to contribute to stress resilience. Although most findings originate from Argentina, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the diversity and distribution of these endophytes in native Bromus species across the continent. This review synthesizes the current understanding of Epichloë–Bromus interactions, emphasizing their ecological and agronomic relevance, particularly in South America. Key factors influencing the establishment of these symbioses are examined, and future research directions are proposed to advance the study of these associations. Full article

Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam., (Rhamnaceae) a resilient shrub native to Moroccan’s arid regions, functions as a keystone species by creating microhabitats that buffer temperature extremes, retain soil moisture, and accumulate organic matter. However, its role in structuring soil fungal diversity and community composition in these environments remains largely unexplored. This study investigated the spatial distribution of fungal communities associated with Z. lotus in barley-planted and non-planted fields. Soil samples were collected at 0, 3, and 6 m from shrub clusters during the barley harvest. The fungal community was dominated by Ascomycota (93.5%). Alpha diversity indices (Shannon–Wiener and Simpson) were significantly higher near shrub bases (0 and 3 m) compared to more distant soils (6 m), indicating a clear decline in diversity with distance (0 m vs. 6 m: p = 0.0012; 3 m vs. 6 m: p = 0.0007). Soil physicochemical parameters, including calcium carbonate content, nitrate, and salinity, significantly influenced fungal diversity (p ≤ 0.05). Beta diversity analysis revealed significant spatial differentiation in fungal community composition (PERMANOVA: p = 0.001). Overall, fungal richness and diversity were highest near shrub. Genera such as Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Alternaria were more abundant near shrub bases, while taxa like Didymellaceae and Alfaria were specially restricted. Functional predictions indicated dominance of fungi with mixed trophic modes (pathotroph–saprotroph–symbiotroph), suggesting ecological plasticity. Despite barley cultivation, the fungal community structure remained largely similar between the planted and non-planted fields. Overall, our findings underscore the ecological importance of Z. lotus as a reservoir of stress-tolerant fungi and as a potential keystone species for restoring degraded arid ecosystems. Full article

Fungi play a crucial yet often unnoticed role in our lives and the health of our planet by breaking down organic matter through their diverse enzymes or eliminating environmental contamination, enhancing biomass pretreatment, and facilitating biofuel production. They offer transformative possibilities not only for improving the production of materials they naturally produce, but also for the production of non-native and even new-to-nature materials. However, despite these promising applications, the full potential of fungi remains untapped mainly due to limitations in our ability to control and optimize their complex biological systems. This review focuses on developments that address these challenges, with specific emphasis on fungal-derived rigid and flexible materials. To achieve this goal, the application of synthetic biology tools—such as programmable regulators, CRISPR-based genome editing, and combinatorial pathway optimization—in engineering fungal strains is highlighted, and how external environmental parameters can be tuned to influence material properties is discussed. This review positions filamentous fungi as promising platforms for sustainable bio-based technologies, contributing to a more sustainable future across various sectors. Full article

Hungary has some of the best-researched hypogeous fungal flora in Europe, with a large number of genera and species already having been discovered in this country. In this study, we performed morphological and molecular analysis of unidentified hypogeous fungi samples collected from Hungary. We confirmed that they belong to the hypogeous earthstar species Geastrum nadalii (Paz et al., 2024), marking the first report of this species in this country and in a continental climate. We also assume that the habitat preference of this mushroom species is similar to the habitat preference of Mattirolomyces terfezioides, with both occurring in planted non-native Robinia pseudoacacia forests, suggesting that these are secondary habitats for these species. We also conclude that this Mediterranean species has appeared only recently in the Hungarian mycota. Full article

This paper provides data on non-native fungus-like organisms (Oomycota, kingdom Stramenopila), their diversity, and distribution in Lithuania and is an addition to a previously published checklist of alien true fungi (Chytridiomycota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota; kingdom Fungi). All available published data were summarized, and the analysis showed that approximately 25% of recorded Lithuania stramenopilous fungus-like organism species are alien. The compiled list represented herein includes 54 species of alien terrestrial and aquatic stramenopilous fungus-like organisms (Oomycota). Most alien Oomycota are obligate pathogens of terrestrial plants. Aquatic organisms are represented by one alien dangerous crayfish pathogen, Aphanomyces astaci, which is currently noted as extinct in Lithuania. The taxonomy of the listed alien species of Oomycota has been revised, and the species names have been adjusted to reflect current nomenclature changes. The taxonomical and ecological analysis demonstrated the prevalence of terrestrial parasitic Peronosporales reported in Lithuania Oomycota and the highest diversity of alien species belonging to the Peronospora genus. The chronology of appearance, distribution within the country, and current status of these non-native organisms were assessed, and some of the most economically or ecologically important harmful invasive species were discussed. Full article

Rhizospheric fungi are emerging as a critical research component in dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) production systems. Introducing beneficial non-native fungi is increasingly common due to their positive effects on plant growth, yield, and pathogen suppression. However, this practice may disrupt soil microbial communities, and commercial isolates often show limited adaptation to local conditions. This study aimed to identify native beneficial soil fungi associated with dragon fruit cultivation on the Ecuadorian coast and evaluate their effect on commercial production. Fungal isolates from four dragon fruit plantations were identified using microscopy and genetic sequencing (ITS, EF-1α, and beta-tubulin). The selected fungi were isolates closely related to Talaromyces tumuli, Trichoderma asperellum, and Paecilomyces lagunculariae. All isolates were tested for pathogenicity using detached cladode assays at the laboratory, and non-phytopathogenic monomorphic cultures were further evaluated in the field under a randomized complete block design consisting of T. asperellum, Talaromyces tumuli, a combination of both, and a water control. The combination of T. asperellum and Talaromyces spp. showed a favorable trend in terms of the plants’ vegetative development. However, inoculating Talaromyces tumuli into the commercial plants exhibited a slow response during the first 20 days of the field evaluations. Still, it resulted in a significant increase in the fruit’s diameter and weight, with increases of 88.23% and 67.64%, respectively, compared to those in the control. T. asperellum presented a lower number of fruits per plant, although it showed an increase in fruit diameter and weight. In conclusion, using the native beneficial fungi T. asperellum and T. tumuli contributes positively to the dragon fruit production system. Full article

Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit is listed in the world’s 100 worst alien invasive species because of the risks it poses to native plant communities. Life history traits, such as high growth and reproductive rates, and a high capacity to adapt to different environmental conditions may contribute to its invasive properties. Biotic stressors, such as herbivores, pathogens, and competing plant species are known to exert significant selective pressure on the plant’s survival, distribution, and abundance. L. leucocephala has been reported to contain several compounds involved in the defense functions against these biotic stressors. A large amount of L-mimosine, a non-protein amino acid, was found in all plant parts of L. leucocephala, including its flowers. L-Mimosine is toxic to herbivorous mammals and insects, parasitic nematodes, pathogenic fungi, and neighboring competing plant species by inactivating various essential enzymes and blocking DNA replication, and/or inducing oxidative stress conditions. Several flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds, and/or derivatives of benzoic and cinnamic acids are toxic to parasitic nematodes, pathogenic fungi and bacteria, and competing plant species by disrupting plasma membrane structures and functions, and various metabolic processes. These compounds may represent the invasive traits of L. leucocephala that have undergone natural selection during the evolution of the species. They may contribute to the defense functions against the biotic stressors, and increase its survival, distribution, and abundance in the introduced ranges. This is the first review to focus on the compounds involved in the defense functions against biotic stressors. Full article