Whole-Genome Sequence and Draft Assembly of the Biocontrol Fungal Pathogen Albifimbria verrucaria CABI-IMI 368023

We report here the whole-genome sequence and draft assembly for a bioherbicidal strain of Albifimbria verrucaria , CABI-IMI 368023, which was formerly identified as Myrothecium verrucaria . This isolate has been well studied for the biological control of important weeds, including kudzu and giant salvinia.

Taxonomic Evaluation of a Bioherbicidal Isolate of Albifimbria verrucaria, Formerly Myrothecium verrucaria

The fungal genus Myrothecium was once polyphyletic but a recent reconsideration of the family Stachybotryaceae spilt it into several genera. The ex-neotype specimen of the species Myrothecium verrucaria is now recognized as Albifimbria verrucaria. The well-studied plant pathogen and candidate bioherbicide CABI-IMI 368023, previously identified as M. verrucaria, was analyzed morphologically and genetically and found to be most consistently aligned with the other representatives of A. verrucaria.

The Effects of Myrothecium verrucaria (MV) on Corn Stover During Co-Composting Process Under Room Temperature Conditions

In China, the production of crop straw has been estimated to be approximately 800 Million tons yearly of which about 40% was burned. Corn stover is one of the main agricultural wastes in China. It has shown that lignin in corn stover could be effectively removed byMyrothecium verrucaria. The effects of the pretreatment of corn strover by Myrothecium verrucaria on compost were studied. The results showed that corn stover pretreatment by Myrothecium verrucaria, the Cellulose, Hemicellulose, and lignin were degraded and the results were 33.43%, 11.53% and 18.70% respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed that the surface structure of corn stover was changed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that the degradation products of lignin were increased. The exposed area of cellulose and hemicellulose was increased. Compared with the control group, the pH value was stable and the temperature was higher. The content of nitrogen in the material decreased, while the contents of total phosphorus and total potassium increased.The C/N ratio of materials decreased after composting.The results showed that the pretreatment of Myrothecium verrucaria improve the degradation of lignocelluloses, a great contribution was made to reduce the causes loss of plant nutrient and to fight against environmental pollution.

Molecular Identification And Insecticidal Activity of Albifimbria Verrucaria Isolated from Cucurbit Plants And Soil in Iraq

Albifimbria (=Myrothecium) verrucaria (Alb. & Schwein.) L. Lombard & Crous. has been involved as promising bio-pesticides for wide range of weeds and nematodes. Furthermore, has a promising insecticidal activity because of its ability to produce many enzymes as lipase, protease and kinase that have the ability to degrading the cuticles of insects. Seven isolates of A. verrucaria were isolated from cucurbit plants and the soil. The identification was based on molecular (ITS-rDNA) and morphological analyses. Laboratory bioassays to evaluate the insecticidal activity of A. verrucaria (cgh-38) against different stages of squash beetle, Epilachna chrysomelina (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were conducted. Three days post treatment, 87.5% mortality rate was obtained when the 1st instar larvae treated, compared to 31.45 for 4th instar larvae. The highest mortality percent was 25 % for adults after 9 days of treatment.