Discovery of Three Novel Cytospora Species in Thailand and Their Antagonistic Potential

During an ongoing research survey of saprobic fungi in Thailand, four coelomycetous strains were isolated from decaying leaves in Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok Provinces. Morphological characteristics demonstrated that these taxa are typical of Cytospora in forming multi-loculate, entostromatic conidiomata, branched or unbranched conidiophores, with enteroblastic, phialidic conidiogenous cells and hyaline, allantoid, aseptate conidia. Multiloci phylogeny of ITS, LSU, ACT, RPB2, TEF1-α and TUB2 confirmed these taxa are distinct new species in Cytospora in Cytosporaceae (Diaporthales, Sordariomycetes), viz., Cytospora chiangmaiensis, C. phitsanulokensis and C. shoreae. Cytospora chiangmaiensis has a close phylogenetic relationship with C. shoreae, while C. phitsanulokensis is sister to C. acaciae. These three novel species were also preliminary screened for their antagonistic activity against five plant pathogenic fungi: Colletotrichumfructicola, Co. siamense, Co. artocarpicola, Co. viniferum and Fusarium sambucinum. Cytospora shoreae and C. phitsanulokensis showed >60% inhibition against Co. viniferum and F. sambucinum, while C. chiangmaiensis had moderate inhibition activity against all pathogens.

The lichens of Pukhtolova Gora (St. Petersburg, Russia)

The lichen diversity of the proposed protected area Pukhtolova Gora counts 252 species, including 232 lichenized, 12 lichenicolous, and 8 non-lichenized saprobic fungi. Micarea laeta, M. pusilla, and Pyrenidium actinellum s. lat. are new to North-Western European Russia; Parmelia serrana, Rhizocarpon cinereovirens, and Stereocaulon taeniarum are new to St. Petersburg. Altogether 13 species recorded in the study area are red-listed in St. Petersburg, with two of them known only from historical collections. Pukhtolova Gora is an area with a high conservation value; the lichen biota of this area is one of the richest within the city limits due to the well-preserved forest habitats.

Impacts of Sodium Arsenite on Wood Microbiota of Esca-Diseased Grapevines

Although sodium arsenite was widely used in Europe until its ban in 2003, its effects on microorganisms is not clearly understood. To improve our understanding of sodium arsenite curative effect on GTDs, grapevines displaying esca-foliar symptoms from different French regions (Alsace, Champagne, Languedoc) were treated or not with sodium arsenite, and analyzed for their wood microbiota. Using metabarcoding, we identified the fungal and bacterial taxa composition of microbiota colonizing woody trunk tissues. Large differences in fungal microbiota composition between treated and untreated grapevines were observed while no major impacts were observed on bacteria microbiota. The main fungal species detected in untreated necrotic woody tissues was Fomitiporia mediterranea (63–94%), a fungal pathogen associated with esca. The relative abundance of this fungal species significantly decreased after sodium arsenite treatment in the three vineyards, in particular in white-rot necrotic tissues and their borders (−90%). F. mediterranea was the most sensitive to sodium arsenite among fungi from grapevine woody tissues. These results strongly suggest that the effect of sodium arsenite on GTDs is due to its ability to efficiently and almost specifically eliminate F. mediterranea from white-rot necrotic tissues, allowing saprobic fungi to colonize the tissues previously occupied by this pathogenic fungus.

Digitodesmium polybrachiatum sp. nov., a new species of Dictyosporiaceae from Brazil

Digitodesmium is a genus of saprobic fungi, generally associated with decaying wood in freshwater habitats or in the soil. As morphologic markers they produce cheiroid, euseptate conidia on sporodochia. During an exam of a necrotic robusta coffee stem sent from Nova Venécia, state of Espírito Santo, to the Plant Clinic at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Brazil), for disease diagnosis a fungus, recognized as having the typical features of Digitodesmium was observed. The fungus was isolated in pure culture and DNA was extracted. Sequences of the partial 18S ribosomal RNA gene, large subunit of the nrDNA, internal transcribed spacer and translation elongation factor 1-α were generated. The combination of results of the phylogenetic analysis with the exam of the morphology led to the conclusion that the fungus from coffee stem morphological data showed that this fungus represents a monophyletic distinct lineage within Digitodesmium and an undescribed species for the genus. The concatenate tree also revealed that Digitodesmium is divided in two distinct clades. The novel species can be differentiated morphologically from other species of Digitodesmium by the size of the conidia, the number of arms and the presence of appendages. The new species Digitodesmium polybrachiatum is hence proposed herein. A comparative table of conidial morphology for the species in the genus is also included.

Bioproducts and Homeopathy in Lasiodiplodia Rot (Lasiodiplodia sp.) Control and Development of Passion Fruit Seedlings

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of homeopathic medicine Calcarea carbonica 12CH and bioproducts: filtrates of saprobic fungi from Amazon, green propolis nosode 06CH, filtrate of Pichia sp., green propolis extract, Bacillus subtilis; to control Lasiodiplodia (Lasiodiplodia sp.) and development of passion fruit seedlings (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Degener). The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with 10 treatments in a parcel divided in time. Each plot consisted of 5 plants for analysis. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and when significant compared by Scott-Knott test (p> 0.05). Variables related to plant growth and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) were evaluated. Assessments were performed at 67, 74 and 82 days after transplantation. There was no reduction in AUDPC for treatments compared to control. As for plant height (cm), the best treatments were Pichia sp. and Gonytrichum sp. with an increase in relation to control of 29.70% and 18.24%, respectively, and increased leaf area (cm2) by 27.42% and 19.85%, respectively. B. subtilis, Pichia sp. and Gonytrichum sp., increased total biomass by 42.31%, 32.82% and 21.44%, respectively. The filtrates application from Pichia sp., Filtrate from Gonytrichum sp., C. carbonica 12CH and B. subtilis provided better performance in the development of passion fruit plants with an increase in the main morphological attributes. The results show that the use of bio products improves the development of seedlings, especially the use of yeast and saprophytic fungi by controlling the biochemical and physiological processes of plants during development.

New exploration in Koryakia – the lichens of the Cape Goven, Bering Sea coast (Northern Kamchatka, Russia)

The lichen diversity of the Cape Goven within the Koryak State Reserve counts 394 species: 373 lichens, 18 lichenicolous fungi and 3 non-lichenized saprobic fungi related to lichens. Altogether 4 species are new to Russia (Miriquidica pulvinatula, Myriolecis andrewii, Ochrolechia alaskana, Rhizocarpon sublavatum), 1 – to Asiatic Russia (Collemopsidium foveolatum), 29 other species are new to the Russian Far East, 4 – to the northern part of the Far East. Additionally, 51 other species are new to Kamchatka Territory, and 92 more are new to Koryakia. Among the new species to Russia or Russian Far East, 11 are also reported for the first time for Beringia. A total of 500 species of lichens and allied fungi are known from Koryakia now. The richest habitats in Cape Goven are rocky outcrops and tundras; unlike in the earlier explored Parapolsky Dale, shrublands, floodplain stands and bogs play relatively insignificant role in the lichen diversity. The lichens of seashore communities enrich the lichen flora of Cape Goven compared to inland areas. The lichen diversity of Cape Goven is significantly higher than in Parapolsky Dale due to its mountainous landscape and coastal position.

Lichens and related fungi of the reserve “Svislochsko-Berezinsky” (Belarus)

Based on studies of the Svislochsko-Berezinsky Reserve (Belarus) carried out mainly in 2016-2020 in 27 locations, an annotated list of the lichen flora is provided. Altogether 203 species are recorded for the nature reserve, including 193 species of lichens and 10 non-lichenized saprobic fungi. Fellhanera viridisorediata and Micarea tomentosa are published for the first time for Belarus, and 43 other species are new for the Mogilev Region. Moreover, 34 indicator species of biologically valuable forests are known from the study area. Calicium adspersum, Cetrelia cetrarioides, C. olivetorum, Chaenotheca chlorella, Peltigera horizontalis, Hypotrachyna revoluta, Lobaria pulmonaria, and Menegazzia terebrata are included in the Red Data Book of Belarus.

Lichens and Allied Fungi from the Praviršulio Tyrelis State Nature Reserve (Central Lithuania)

The paper presents the results of the inventory of lichen-forming, lichenicolous and allied saprobic fungi from the Praviršulio Tyrelis State Nature Reserve. A total of 199 species were recorded, including 183 lichens, eight lichenicolous and eight non-lichenised saprobic fungi. Four lichenised species (Micarea pseudomicrococca, Parmelia serrana, Sclerophora amabilis and Thelocarpon laureri) were reported new to Lithuania. Three protected species, Cetrelia olivetorum, Cladonia parasitica and Hypotrachyna revoluta, were also observed.

Hydrocarbon Degradation and Enzyme Activities of Aspergillus oryzae and Mucor irregularis Isolated from Nigerian Crude Oil-Polluted Sites

Many free-living saprobic fungi are nature recruited organisms for the degradation of wastes, ranging from lignocellulose biomass to organic/inorganic chemicals, aided by their production of enzymes. In this study, fungal strains were isolated from contaminated crude-oil fields in Nigeria. The dominant fungi were selected from each site and identified as Aspergillus oryzae and Mucor irregularis based on morphological and molecular characterization, with site percentage incidences of 56.67% and 66.70%, respectively. Selected strains response/tolerance to complex hydrocarbon (used engine oil) was studied by growing them on Bushnell Haas (BH) mineral agar supplemented with the hydrocarbon at different concentrations, i.e., 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, with a control having dextrose. Hydrocarbon degradation potentials of these fungi were confirmed in BH broth culture filtrates pre-supplemented with 1% engine oil after 15 days of incubation using GC/MS. In addition, the presence of putative enzymes, laccase (Lac), manganese peroxidase (MnP), and lignin peroxidase (LiP) was confirmed in culture filtrates using appropriate substrates. The analyzed fungi grew in hydrocarbon supplemented medium with no other carbon source and exhibited 39.40% and 45.85% dose inhibition response (DIR) respectively at 20% hydrocarbon concentration. An enzyme activity test revealed that these two fungi produced more Lac than MnP and LiP. It was also observed through the GC/MS analyses that while A. oryzae acted on all hydrocarbon components in the used engine oil, M. irregularis only degraded the long-chain hydrocarbons and BTEX. This study confirms that A. oryzae and M. irregularis have the potential to be exploited in the bio-treatment and removal of hydrocarbons from polluted soils.