Extensive sampling and high-throughput sequencing reveal Posidoniomyces atricolor gen. et sp. nov. (Aigialaceae, Pleosporales) as the dominant root mycobiont of the dominant Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica

Seagrasses provide invaluable ecosystem services yet very little is known about their root mycobiont diversity and distribution. Here we focused on the dominant Mediterranean seagrass Posidoniaoceanica and assessed its root mycobiome at 32 localities covering most of the ecoregions in the NW Mediterranean Sea using light and scanning electron microscopy and tag-encoded 454-pyrosequencing. Microscopy revealed that the recently discovered dark septate endophytic association specific for P.oceanica is present at all localities and pyrosequencing confirmed that the P.oceanica root mycobiome is dominated by a single undescribed pleosporalean fungus, hitherto unknown from other hosts and ecosystems. Its numerous slow-growing isolates were obtained from surface-sterilised root segments at one locality and after prolonged cultivation, several of them produced viable sterile mycelium. To infer their phylogenetic relationships we sequenced and analysed the large (LSU) and small (SSU) subunit nrDNA, the ITS nrDNA and the DNA-directed RNA polymerase II (RPB2). The fungus represents an independent marine biotrophic lineage in the Aigialaceae (Pleosporales) and is introduced here as Posidoniomycesatricolorgen. et sp. nov. Its closest relatives are typically plant-associated saprobes from marine, terrestrial and freshwater habitats in Southeast Asia and Central America. This study expands our knowledge and diversity of the Aigialaceae, adds a new symbiotic lifestyle to this family and provides a formal name for the dominant root mycobiont of the dominant Mediterranean seagrass.

Potential of Different Fungi Species in Biodegradation Field of Phenolic Compounds

Phenolic compounds are dominant pollutants in terrestrial and freshwater environmental that have toxic effects on living organisms at low concentrations, because it has the ability to persist in the ecosystem. So bio-removal is a good technique that employs the metabolic potential of microorganisms to clean up the environmental pollutants and turned into less dangerous or harmless substances. This work aims to the isolation of different species of fungi from wastewater of factories and Red Sea coast to test the ability of these fungi to degrade phenolic compounds. Ten species of fungi and sterile mycelium are used to degrade phenol and its derivatives at different concentrations (0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8%). All fungi species have the ability of degradation of phenol and their derivatives, but P. chrysogenum, Saccharomyces sp. and sterile mycelium exhibited low ability to break down of hydroxyl-benzene, 2-naphthol and 1,3 dihydroxy benzene, respectively.

Airborne fungi in an intensive care unit

The presence of airborne fungi in Intensive Care Unit (ICUs) is associated with increased nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was the isolation and identification of airborne fungi presented in an ICU from the University Hospital of Pelotas – RS, with the attempt to know the place’s environmental microbiota. 40 Petri plates with Sabouraud Dextrose Agar were exposed to an environment of an ICU, where samples were collected in strategic places during morning and afternoon periods for ten days. Seven fungi genera were identified: Penicillium spp. (15.18%), genus with the higher frequency, followed by Aspergillus spp., Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Paecelomyces spp., Curvularia spp., Alternaria spp., Zygomycetes and sterile mycelium. The most predominant fungi genus were Aspergillus spp. (13.92%) in the morning and Cladosporium spp. (13.92%) in the afternoon. Due to their involvement in different diseases, the identified fungi genera can be classified as potential pathogens of inpatients. These results reinforce the need of monitoring the environmental microorganisms with high frequency and efficiently in health institutions.

A Study on Soil Thermophilic and Thermotolerant Fungi in Thamar-Yemen

Thirty-eight soil samples were collected from different sites in Thamar province during the period from 4/2012 to 2/2013.The direct plate, and dilution plates methods were followed to isolation of counting colony forming units, the potato carrot agar (PCA) and Emerson's media were used A total of 23 fungi belong to (14) genera were isolated, they include (11) Hyphomycetes, (10) Ascomycetes, and (2) Zygomycetes besides black and white sterile mycelium. A fourteen isolates were regarded asnewly record for Yemeni mycobiota,they include Acremonium murorum, Acrophialophorafusispora, Chaetomiumatrobrunneum, C.gracile,C.strumarium, C.therophilevar.coprophpile, Corynascussepedonium ,Emericellarugulosa, Melanocarpusalbomyces, paecelomycesinflatus Papulosporathermophila, Rhizomucormiehi, Scytalidiumthermophilum, and Talromycesthermophilus Soil dilution method showed that the colony forming units (CFUs)in soil had seasonal fluctuation , they were significantly higher (36667) during moderate/humid month than cold/dry months (20400) (p<0.05), while the total similarity% is high between fungal genera which were isolated during the two periods (78.57%) .A test of 15 isolates to produce cellulase, amylase, lipase, protease, xylanase and phenoloxidase showed a different activities in number of enzymes and levels of production. Corynascussepedonium, Eemericellanedulans and Malbrancheacinnamomea gave a positive result for all enzymes

Analysis of Soil Mycoprofile of Botanical Garden of Khalsa College, Amritsar, Punjab, India.

The samples used for this study were obtained from different rhizosphere garden soil source. The fungi isolates were Aspergillus spp., Curvularia sp, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium sp, Fusarium solani, Mucor mucedo, Myrothecium sp., Paecilomyces sp., Phoma sorghina, Rhizopus stolonifer, Sterile mycelium Yeast sp.. and Verticillum spp. Some physiological studies show the range of pH from pH 4.92 in CSSS to pH 8.01 in PLRS sample sources. The soil pH values obtained in this study were near neutral ranges, which favour microbial growth. Various species of fungi were encountered in soil sources including the harmful ones. Hence, fungicides can be applied occasionally on these soils to reduce the fungi load in these areas when necessary.Data obtained in this study is valuable to monitor and protect the environment including agriculture products for sustainable economic development.

Colonization of barley roots by endophytic fungi and their reduction of take-all caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici

Fungal root endophytes obtained from natural vegetation were tested for antifungal activity in dual culture tests against the root pathogen Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici. Fifteen isolates, including Acremonium blochii , Acremonium furcatum , Aspergillus fumigatus , Cylindrocarpon sp., Cylindrocarpon destructans , Dactylaria sp., Fusarium equiseti, Phoma herbarum , Phoma leveillei , and a sterile mycelium, selected based on the dual culture test, were inoculated on barley roots in growth tubes under axenic conditions, both in the absence and presence of G. graminis var. tritici. All isolates colonized the rhizosphere and very often the root cortex without causing disease symptoms and without affecting plant growth. Eight isolates significantly reduced the symptoms caused by G. graminis var. tritici, and 6 of them reduced its presence in the roots.

First Report of Apple Rot Caused by Neofabraea alba in Chile

A new rot of stored apples was observed in local and export markets on apples that were grown in the south-central region of Chile during 2004. Circular, pale brown spots with a darker outer ring were observed at least 3 months after harvest in cvs. Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Royal Gala. Lesions developed from lenticel cavities or wounds and reached 2 to 3 cm in diameter after 1 week at room temperature. Symptoms resembled those produced by the bull's eye rot pathogens on apple that occur in other parts of the world. Acervuli developed in the rotted areas, and microscopic examination revealed the presence of the fungus Neofabraea alba (Guthrie) (anamorph Phlyctema vagabunda Desm.) characterized by production of curved macroconidia and absence of microconidia (1). Pure culture on potato dextrose agar (PDA) yielded a characteristic white sterile mycelium. Four cv. Pink Lady apples were wound inoculated with mycelium of the pathogen and four apples were wound inoculated with a 5 × 104 CFU/ml conidial suspension. Four apples were wounded and inoculated with sterile water as a negative control. The fruit was held at 20°C. Symptoms appeared after 4 and 5 days in the mycelium and conidial inoculated apples, respectively. Resulting symptoms were similar to those originally observed. Abundant macroconidia were produced at the inoculation sites, and a sterile, white mycelium was recovered after isolation on PDA. To our knowledge, this is the first report of apple fruit rot caused by N. alba in Chile. Reference: (1) J. L. Henriquez et al. Plant Dis. 88:1134, 2004.