Fungal endophytes in Peperomia obtusifolia and their potential as inhibitors of chickpea fungal pathogens

Major threats to agricultural sustainability in the 21st century are drought, increasing temperatures, soil salinity and soilborne pathogens, all of which are being exacerbated by climate change and pesticide abolition and are burning issues related to agriculture in the Middle East. We have found that Class 2 fungal endophytes adapt native plants to environmental stresses (drought, heat and salt) in a habitat-specific manner, and that these endophytes can confer stress tolerance to genetically distant monocot and eudicot hosts. In the past, we generated a uv non-pathogenic endophytic mutant of Colletotrichum magna (path-1) that colonized cucurbits, induced drought tolerance and enhanced growth, and protected 85% - 100% against disease caused by certain pathogenic fungi. We propose: 1) utilizing path-1 and additional endophtyic microorganisms to be isolated from stress-tolerant local, wild cucurbit watermelon, Citrulluscolocynthis, growing in the Dead Sea and Arava desert areas, 2) generate abiotic and biotic tolerant melon crop plants, colonized by the isolated endophytes, to increase crop yields under extreme environmental conditions such as salinity, heat and drought stress, 3) manage soilborne fungal pathogens affecting curubit crop species growing in the desert areas. This is a unique and novel "systems" approach that has the potential to utilize natural plant adaptation for agricultural development. We envisage that endophyte-colonized melons will eventually be used to overcome damages caused by soilborne diseases and also for cultivation of this crop, under stress conditions, utilizing treated waste water, thus dealing with the limited resource of fresh water.

Download Full-text

Deciphering bacterial and fungal endophyte communities in leaves of two maple trees with green islands

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-50540-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Franziska Wemheuer ◽

Bernd Wemheuer ◽

Rolf Daniel ◽

Stefan Vidal

Keyword(s):

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

Fungal Endophyte ◽

Fungal Community Composition ◽

Senescent Leaf ◽

Acer Campestre ◽

Main Driver ◽

Leaf Tissues ◽

Species Specific ◽

Green Island

Abstract Green islands (the re-greening of senescent leaf tissues) are particularly evident on leaves infected with fungal pathogens. To date, there is only a limited number of studies investigating foliar endophytic microorganisms in phytopathogen-infected leaves. Here, we analysed bacterial and fungal endophyte communities in leaves without green islands (control leaves; CL), within green island areas (GLA) and the surrounding yellow leaf areas (YLA) of leaves with green islands of Acer campestre and A. platanoides. GLA samples of A. campestre and A. platanoides were dominated by Sawadaea polyfida and S. bicornis, respectively, suggesting that these fungi might be responsible for the green islands. We detected a higher fungal richness and diversity in CL compared to GLA samples of A. campestre. Leaf status (CL, GLA, YLA) significantly altered the composition of fungal communities of A. campestre. This was related to differences in fungal community composition between YLA and GLA samples. Site was the main driver of bacterial communities, suggesting that bacterial and fungal endophytes are shaped by different factors. Overall, we observed Acer species-specific responses of endophyte communities towards the presence of green islands and/or leaf type, which might be attributed to several fungi and bacteria specifically associated with one Acer species.

Download Full-text

Fungal endophytes nearly double minimum leaf conductance in seedlings of a neotropical tree species

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467407004038 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 369-372 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

A. Elizabeth Arnold ◽

Bettina M. J. Engelbrecht

Keyword(s):

Tropical Forests ◽

Water Uptake ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Vascular Tissue ◽

Water Status ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Plant Performance ◽

Neotropical Tree

Drought strongly influences plant phenology, growth and mortality in tropical forests, thereby shaping plant performance, population dynamics and community structure (Bunker & Carson 2005, Condit et al. 1995). Microbial symbionts of plants profoundly influence host water relations (Lösch & Gansert 2002), but are rarely considered in studies of tropical plant physiology. In particular, plant–fungus associations, which are ubiquitous in plant communities and especially common in tropical forests, play important and varied roles in plant water status. Fungal pathogens associated with roots, vascular tissue and foliage may interfere with water uptake and transport, increase rates of foliar transpiration, and induce xylem embolism and tissue death (Agrios 1997). In contrast, rhizosphere mutualists such as ecto- and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi may benefit hosts by increasing surface area for water uptake, enhancing stomatal regulation of water loss, and increasing root hydraulic conductivity (Auge 2001, Lösch & Gansert 2002).

Download Full-text

Cytotoxic and Antifungal Activities of 5-Hydroxyramulosin, a Compound Produced by an Endophytic Fungus Isolated fromCinnamomum mollisimum

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2012/689310 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Carolina Santiago ◽

Chris Fitchett ◽

Murray H. G. Munro ◽

Juriyati Jalil ◽

Jacinta Santhanam

Keyword(s):

Crude Extract ◽

Endophytic Fungus ◽

Fungal Pathogens ◽

High Performance ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

Leukemic Cells ◽

Bioactive Metabolites ◽

Potato Dextrose Broth ◽

Mass Spectral ◽

Extract Fraction

An endophytic fungus isolated from the plantCinnamomum mollissimumwas investigated for the bioactivity of its metabolites. The fungus, similar to aPhomasp., was cultured in potato dextrose broth for two weeks, followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. The crude extract obtained was fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Both crude extract and fractions were assayed for cytotoxicity against P388 murine leukemic cells and inhibition of bacterial and fungal pathogens. The bioactive extract fraction was purified further and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectral and X-ray crystallography analysis. A polyketide compound, 5-hydroxyramulosin, was identified as the constituent of the bioactive fungal extract fraction. This compound inhibited the fungal pathogenAspergillus niger(IC501.56 μg/mL) and was cytotoxic against murine leukemia cells (IC502.10 μg/mL). 5-Hydroxyramulosin was the major compound produced by the endophytic fungus. This research suggests that fungal endophytes are a good source of bioactive metabolites which have potential applications in medicine.

Download Full-text

Pathogen and Endophyte Assemblages Co-vary With Beech Bark Disease Progression, Tree Decline, and Regional Climate

Frontiers in Forests and Global Change ◽

10.3389/ffgc.2021.673099 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

Author(s):

Eric W. Morrison ◽

Matt T. Kasson ◽

Jeremy J. Heath ◽

Jeff R. Garnas

Keyword(s):

Disease Progression ◽

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Regional Climate ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

Positive Association ◽

Scale Insect ◽

Tree Decline ◽

Beech Bark Disease ◽

Clonostachys Rosea ◽

Community Interactions

Plant–pathogen interactions are often considered in a pairwise manner with minimal consideration of the impacts of the broader endophytic community on disease progression and/or outcomes for disease agents and hosts. Community interactions may be especially relevant in the context of disease complexes (i.e., interacting or functionally redundant causal agents) and decline diseases (where saprobes and weak pathogens synergize the effects of primary infections and hasten host mortality). Here we describe the bark endophyte communities associated with a widespread decline disease of American beech, beech bark disease (BBD), caused by an invasive scale insect (Cryptococcus fagisuga) and two fungal pathogens, Neonectria faginata and N. ditissima. We show that the two primary fungal disease agents co-occur more broadly than previously understood (35.5% of infected trees), including within the same 1-cm diameter phloem samples. The two species appear to have contrasting associations with climate and stages of tree decline, wherein N. faginata was associated with warmer and N. ditissima with cooler temperatures. Neonectria ditissima showed a positive association with tree crown dieback – no such association was observed for N. faginata. Further, we identify fungal endophytes that may modulate disease progression as entomopathogens, mycoparasites, saprotrophs, and/or additional pathogens, including Clonostachys rosea and Fusarium babinda. These fungi may alter the trajectory of disease via feedbacks with the primary disease agents or by altering symptom expression or rates of tree decline across the range of BBD.

Download Full-text

Molecular Phylogeny of Endophytic Fungi from Rattan (Calamus castaneus Griff.) Spines and Their Antagonistic Activities against Plant Pathogenic Fungi

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof7040301 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 301

Author(s):

Nurul Farizah Azuddin ◽

Masratul Hawa Mohd ◽

Nik Fadzly N. Rosely ◽

Asyraf Mansor ◽

Latiffah Zakaria

Keyword(s):

Endophytic Fungi ◽

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

Pathogenic Fungi ◽

Inhibition Zone ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

Plant Pathogenic Fungi ◽

Trichoderma Spp ◽

Palm Species ◽

Rattan Palm

Calamus castaneus is a common rattan palm species in the tropical forests of Peninsular Malaysia and is noticeable by the yellow-based spines that cover the stems. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of fungal endophytes within C. castaneus spines and whether they inhibit the growth of fungal pathogens. Twenty-one genera with 40 species of fungal endophytes were isolated and identified from rattan palm spines. Based on molecular identification, the most common isolates recovered from the spines were Colletotrichum (n = 19) and Diaporthe spp. (n = 18), followed by Phyllosticta spp., Xylaria sp., Trichoderma spp., Helminthosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Neopestalotiopsis spp., Arthrinium sp., Cyphellophora sp., Cladosporium spp., Curvularia sp., Bionectria sp., and Acremonium spp. Non-sporulating fungi were also identified, namely Nemania primolutea, Pidoplitchkoviella terricola, Muyocopron laterale, Acrocalymma fici, Acrocalymma medicaginis, and Endomelanconiopsis endophytica. The isolation of these endophytes showed that the spines harbor endophytic fungi. Most of the fungal endophytes inhibited the growth of several plant pathogenic fungi, with 68% of the interactions resulting in mutual inhibition, producing a clear inhibition zone of <2 mm. Our findings demonstrate the potential of the fungal endophytes from C. castaneus spines as biocontrol agents.

Download Full-text

HPTLC-Based Chemical Profiling: An Approach to Monitor Plant Metabolic Expansion Caused by Fungal Endophytes

Metabolites ◽

10.3390/metabo11030174 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 174

Author(s):

Luis F. Salomé-Abarca ◽

Cees A. M. J. J. van den Hondel ◽

Özlem Erol ◽

Peter G. L. Klinkhamer ◽

Hye Kyong Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Plant ◽

Colony Size ◽

Defense Mechanisms ◽

Fungal Pathogens ◽

High Performance ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

High Capacity ◽

Chemical Diversity ◽

Plant Metabolites ◽

Chemical Profiles

Fungal endophytes isolated from two latex bearing species were chosen as models to show their potential to expand their host plant chemical diversity. Thirty-three strains were isolated from Alstonia scholaris (Apocynaceae) and Euphorbia myrsinites (Euphorbiaceae). High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) was used to metabolically profile samples. The selected strains were well clustered in three major groups by hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) of the HPTLC data, and the chemical profiles were strongly correlated with the strains’ colony size. This correlation was confirmed by orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) modeling using colony size as “Y” variable. Based on the multivariate data analysis of the HPTLC data, the fastest growing strains of each cluster were selected and used for subsequent experiments: co-culturing to investigate interactions between endophytes-phytopathogens, and biotransformation of plant metabolites by endophytes. The strains exhibited a high capacity to fight against fungal pathogens. Moreover, there was an increase in the antifungal activity after being fed with host-plant metabolites. These results suggest that endophytes play a role in plant defense mechanisms either directly or by biotransformation/induction of metabolites. Regarding HPTLC-based metabolomics, it has proved to be a robust approach to monitor the interactions among fungal endophytes, the host plant and potential phytopathogens.

Download Full-text

In vitro Evaluation of Fungal Endophytes against Major Fungal Pathogens of Groundnut

International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ◽

10.20546/ijcmas.2018.710.051 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. 469-480

Author(s):

Sunilkumar Shirasangi ◽

Yashoda Hegde

Keyword(s):

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

In Vitro Evaluation

Download Full-text

ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIALS OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI INHABITING RHODODENDRON ANTHOPOGON D. DON

Ecoprint An International Journal of Ecology ◽

10.3126/eco.v18i0.9397 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 39-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bikash Baral ◽

Prabina Rana ◽

Bijaya Laxmi Maharjan

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

Malt Extract ◽

Conservation Area ◽

Antibacterial And Antifungal Activities ◽

Fungal Isolates ◽

Antibacterial And Antifungal ◽

Promising Source ◽

Different Parts

Fungal endophytes have been studied from Rhododendron anthopogon D. Don Manaslu Conservation Area in Nepal. The endophytes were isolated from different parts of Rhododendron viz., root, stem and leaf using potato dextrose agar, malt extract agar and water agar. Altogether eighteen fungal endophytes belonging to nine genera were isolated. The endophytic species isolates belong to the genera Stemphylium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Papulaspora, Hansfordia, Wardomyces and Geotrichum. Out of 18 fungal isolates, 8 isolates could display antimicrobial activity inhibiting at least one of the test pathogens. Among the potent strains, 4 displayed both antibacterial and antifungal activities. Endophytic fungal isolates ERAA3, ERAA6 and ERAA8 displayed antimicrobial activity against all the tested bacterial (10) and fungal (5) pathogens. The endophytic strains were very effective against the bacterial pathogens and moderately active against the fungal pathogens. The study reinforced the assumption that endophytes of the high altitude medicinal plants could be a promising source of antimicrobial substances.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/eco.v18i0.9397Ecoprint: An International Journal of EcologyVol. 18, 2011 Page: 39-44 Uploaded date: 12/20/2013

Download Full-text

Fungal endophytes increase biomass production in pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum (Kleopow) Barbar.)

Botany ◽

10.1139/cjb-2020-0181 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Richard B. Dickinson ◽

Robert S. Bourchier ◽

Roberta R. Fulthorpe ◽

Shu Yi Shen ◽

Ian M. Jones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Clay Content ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Invasive Weed ◽

Soil Pathogens ◽

Vincetoxicum Rossicum

Pale swallow-wort, Vincetoxicum rossicum (Kleopow) Barbar., is an invasive weed in the lower Great Lakes Basin of North America. We investigated the relationship between V. rossicum productivity and several environmental variables across 54 established V. rossicum populations in southern Ontario. Variables included climate measurements, soil characteristics (pH, texture, and nutrient status), habitat type, plant community, and the diversity of root-associated fungi. Vincetoxicum rossicum roots were collected at all 54 sites, and associated fungi were compared using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism. Aboveground biomass of V. rossicum was measured at 23 sites with similar light regimes, allowing comparison between populations. Results suggested that abiotic soil variables, and habitat type have little effect on V. rossicum productivity. Aboveground biomass production was significantly correlated with precipitation, and the presence of fungal pathogens and dark septate endophytes. Annual precipitation and soil clay content were also positively correlated with the abundance of soil pathogens. Accumulation of these microbes may negatively affect co-occurring native plants and associated fungal partners. The presence of these fungal species in soil could be used as an indicator of site susceptibility to invasion by V. rossicum and assist in the development of management plans for this exotic vine.

Download Full-text