Efficacy of Purpureocillium lilacinum AUMC 10149 as biocontrol agent against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita infecting tomato plant / Eficácia de Purpureocillium lilacinum AUMC 10149 como agente de biocontrole contra o nematoide Meloidogyne incógnita que infecta plantas de tomate

Abstract Root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita is among the biotic factors which has greatly affected both the yield and the quality of the tomato crop. The egg parasitic nematode, Purpureocillium lilacinum (Pl) is considered as one of the most promising agents in controlling and overcoming this plant pathogen. The nematicidal effect of the native isolate Pl AUMC 10149 on second stage juvenile's survival and egg hatching of M. incognita at different times of exposure was tested in vitro. The obtained data showed that Pl gave a maximum percentage of J2 mortality (97.6%) and egg hatching inhibition (79.8%) after 72 hours of exposure. The potentiality of Pl as well as Bio-Nematon to control M. incognita infecting tomato was conducted using different times of application in vivo. Nine treatments with five replicates were used for such bioagents compared with the nematicide Oxamyl. Each seedling was inoculated with 1000 J2s of nematode/pot and 10 mL of Pl (1x1010 CFU/mL) or Bio-Nematon spore suspension (1x108 CFU/mL) 10mL/pot. The results indicated that the most effective treatments in reducing nematode population, number of galls and egg masses of M. incognita in plant roots was performed with treatment by Pl pre-planting and post-infection with Pl (Rf 1.9) giving a significant enhancement in plant length (64.9%), fresh weight (72.52%) and shoot dry weight (163.41%) without negatively impacting environment. Therefore, the present study confirmed that using P. lilacinum AUMC 10149 can be used as a practical supplement to environmentally friendly disease management of root-knot nematodes in Egypt.

Resumo O nematoide-das-galhas Meloidogyne incognita está entre os fatores bióticos que afetaram enormemente a produção e a qualidade da cultura do tomate. O nematoide parasita de ovos, Purpureocillium lilacinum (Pl), é considerado um dos mais promissores agentes no controle e superação desse fitopatógeno. O efeito nematicida do isolado nativo Pl AUMC 10149 na sobrevivência de juvenis de segundo estágio e na eclosão dos ovos de M. incognita em diferentes momentos de exposição foi testado in vitro. Os dados obtidos mostraram que o Pl deu um percentual máximo de mortalidade de J2 (97.6%) e inibição da eclosão dos ovos (79.8%) após 72 horas de exposição. A potencialidade de Pl e de Bio-Nematon para controlar M. incognita infectando tomate foi conduzida em diferentes tempos de aplicação in vivo. Nove tratamentos com cinco repetições foram usados ​​para tais bioagentes em comparação com o nematicida Oxamyl. Cada muda foi inoculada com 1.000 J2s de nematoide / vaso e 10 mL de Pl (1×1010 CFU/mL). Ou suspensão de esporos Bio-Nematon (1×108 CFU/mL) 10mL/pot. Os resultados indicaram que os tratamentos mais eficazes na redução da população de nematoides, número de galhas e desovas de M. incognita nas raízes das plantas foram realizados com Pl pré-plantio e pós-infecção com Pl (Rf 1.9), dando um aumento significativo no comprimento da planta (64.9%), massa fresca (72.52%) e massa seca da parte aérea (163.41%) sem impactar negativamente o meio ambiente. Portanto, o presente estudo confirmou que o uso de P. lilacinum AUMC 10149 pode ser usado como um suplemento prático para o manejo ecologicamente correto de nematoides-das-galhas no Egito.

Identification of Cordyceps cicadae and Tolypocladium dujiaolongae based on ITS sequences and chemical pattern recognition method / 中国中药杂志

Based on ITS sequences, the molecular identification of Cordyceps cicadae and Tolypocladium dujiaolongae was carried out, and high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprint combined with chemical pattern recognition method was established to differentiate C. cicadae from its adulterant T. dujiaolongae. The genomic DNA from 10 batches of C. cicadae and five batches of T. dujiaolongae was extracted, and ITS sequences were amplified by PCR and sequenced. The stable differential sites of these two species were compared and the phylogenetic tree was constructed via MEGA 7.0. HPLC was used to establish the fingerprints of C. cicadae and T. dujiaolongae, and similarity evaluation, cluster analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA), and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) were applied to investigate the chemical pattern recognition. The result showed that the sources of these two species were different, and there were 115 stable differential sites in ITS sequences of C. cicadae and T. dujiao-longae. The phylogenetic tree could distinguish them effectively. HPLC fingerprints of 18 batches of C. cicadae and 5 batches of T. dujiaolongae were established. The results of CA, PCA, and PLS-DA were consistent, which could distinguish them well, indicating that there were great differences in chemical components between C. cicadae and T. dujiaolongae. The results of PLS-DA showed that six components such as uridine, guanosine, adenosine, and N~6-(2-hydroxyethyl) adenosine were the main differential markers of the two species. ITS sequences and HPLC fingerprint combined with the chemical pattern recognition method can serve as the identification and differentiation methods for C. cicadae and T. dujiaolongae.

Computation-aided design of the flexible region of zearalenone hydrolase improves its thermal stability / 生物工程学报

The zearalenone hydrolase (ZHD101) derived from Clonostachys rosea can effectively degrade the mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) present in grain by-products and feed. However, the low thermal stability of ZHD101 hampers its applications. High throughput screening of variants using spectrophotometer is challenging because the reaction of hydrolyzing ZEN does not change absorbance. In this study, we used ZHD101 as a model enzyme to perform computation-aided design followed by experimental verification. By comparing the molecular dynamics simulation trajectories of ZHD101 at different temperatures, 32 flexible sites were selected. 608 saturated mutations were introduced into the 32 flexible sites virtually, from which 12 virtual mutants were screened according to the position specific score and enzyme conformation free energy calculation. Three of the mutants N156F, S194T and T259F showed an increase in thermal melting temperature (ΔTm>4 °C), and their enzyme activities were similar to or even higher than that of the wild type (relative enzyme activity 95.8%, 131.6% and 169.0%, respectively). Molecular dynamics simulation analysis showed that the possible mechanisms leading to the improved thermal stability were NH-π force, salt bridge rearrangement, and hole filling on the molecular surface. The three mutants were combined iteratively, and the combination of N156F/S194T showed the highest thermal stability (ΔTm=6.7 °C). This work demonstrated the feasibility of engineering the flexible region to improve enzyme performance by combining virtual computational mutations with experimental verification.

Identification and biological characteristics of southern blight causing root rot on three medicine plants of Iridaceae in Dabie Mountains / 中国中药杂志

In order to identify the species and biological characteristics of the pathogen of southern blight from three kinds of Chinese medicine of Iridaceae(Belamcanda chinensis, Iris tectorum and I. japonica) in Dabie Mountains, the isolation, identification, pathogenicity and biological characteristics of the pathogens were studied according to Koch's postulates. In addition, 9 chemical fungicides, 3 botanical fungicides and 5 microbial fungicides were used to evaluate their inhibition to the isolates in vitro. The results showed that all the strains(SG-Q, YW-Q, and HDH-Q) isolated and purified from the diseased plants of B. chinensis, I. tectorum and I. japonica, respectively, were identified as Sclerotium rolfsii through morphological observation and sequence aligement of 18 S rDNA, rDNA-ITS and TEF. Field observations showed that the intensity of the disease incidence of three Iridaceae plants was B. chinensis>I. japonica> I. tectorum, and the pathogenicity of the strains was SG-Q>YW-Q>HDH-Q. For biological characteristics, SG-Q strain was suitable for growth under the 12 h light/12 h dark cycle, with the optimal growth temperature of 30 ℃ and pH of 5. Among the 9 tested chemical fungicides, 29% lime sulphure and 10% flusilazole had stronger inhibitory effect on mycelia growth of SG-Q. For 3 botanical fungicides, 1% osthol, 20% eugenol and 0.5% berberine could effectively inhibt the mycelial growth of SG-Q and cause the morphological variation of the pathogen. For 5 microbial fungicides, Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis had better inhibition on the mycelium growth of SG-Q.

Screening of endophytic fungi against southern blight disease pathogen-Sclerotium delphinii in Dendrobium catenatum / 中国中药杂志

In order to screen the endophytic fungi that can enhance the host(Dendrobium catenatum) resistance to Sclerotium delphinii, the antagonism between each of the 43 endophytic fungi and the pathogen S. delphinii were tested. The results showed that 6 endophytic fungi(DCR2, DCR5, DCR21, DCR22, DCR42, DCR43) have strong activities against the pathogen, the inhibition rates were 49.2%, 49.2%, 47.2%, 56.2%, 53.2%, 48.0%, respectively. Then D. catenatum plantlets were inoculated with both S. delphinii and each of these six endophytic fungi. As a result, the incidence rates of leaves and stems of the D. catenatum plantlets inoculated with DCR2 and the pathogen were both significantly lower than those with other treatments, and the plantlet death rate was 0. It showed that DCR2 Trichoderma polysporum could effectively inhibit the southern blight disease of D. catenatum. Through the endophytic fungal re-isolation test, it was found that DCR2 can colonize in the roots, stems, and leaves of D. catenatum. The research will provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of the southern blight disease of D. catenatum. It is also significant for reducing pesticide use, ensuring food safety, and promoting the sustainable development of D. catenatum industry. Furthermore, it will provide a basis for the disease control in other crops.

Purpureocillium lilacinum and Trichoderma virens for biological control of trichostrongylid parasites of sheep: an in vitro evaluation / Purpureocillium lilacinum e Trichoderma virens no controle biológico de tricostrongilídeos de ovinos: uma avaliação in vitro

Abstract The study evaluated the ovicidal activity of enzymatic extracts of Purpureocillium lilacinum and Trichoderma virens against trichostrongylid eggs from sheep. Filtered extract (FE) and macerated crude extract (MCE) were prepared from fungal cultures in minimal broth. In the experiment, 100 trichostrongylid eggs, obtained from the feces of naturally infected sheep, were exposed to fungal extracts for 24 and 48 hours/25°C. In the control group, eggs were incubated in minimal broth. The number of L1 larvae was ascertained. Each treatment consisted of four repetitions and the experiment was repeated five times. It was observed that the effect of FE and MCE of P. lilacinum and T. virens on egg hatchability differed from that of the control group. MCE of T. virens and P. lilacinum showed higher ovicidal activity than FE over both periods and at 48 hours of exposure, respectively. From the percentage reductions in hatchability of the eggs, MCE was shown to be superior to FE for both fungi. This study demonstrated the ovicidal potential of these fungi against trichostrongylid eggs. However, further studies are needed in order to identify the molecules responsible for the ovicidal effects, and to evaluate the behavior of fungal extracts in biotic and abiotic interactions.

Resumo O estudo avaliou a atividade ovicida de extratos enzimáticos de Purpureocillium lilacinum e Trichoderma virens sobre ovos de tricostrongilídeos de ovinos. Extrato filtrado (EF) e extrato macerado bruto (EMB) foram preparados a partir de culturas fúngicas em caldo mínimo. No ensaio experimental, 100 ovos de tricostrongilídeos, obtidos de fezes de ovinos naturalmente infectados, foram expostos durante 24 e 48 horas/25ºC aos extratos dos fungos. No grupo controle, os ovos foram incubados em caldo mínimo. O número de larvas L1 foi determinado. Cada tratamento consistiu em quatro repetições e o experimento foi repetido cinco vezes. Observou-se que o efeito ovicida do EF e EMB de P. lilacinum e T. virens diferiu do grupo controle. O EMB de T. virens e P. lilacinum evidenciou atividade ovicida superior ao EF em ambos os períodos avaliados e em 48 horas de exposição, respectivamente. O percentual de redução de eclodibilidade evidenciou que o EMB foi superior ao EF em ambos os fungos. Este estudo demonstra o potencial ovicida desses fungos sobre ovos de tricostrongilídeos. No entanto, estudos adicionais são necessários para identificar as moléculas responsáveis pelo efeito ovicida, bem como avaliar o comportamento dos extratos fúngicos em interações bióticas e abióticas.

Exposure of Toxocara canis eggs to Purpureocillium lilacinum as a biocontrol strategy: an experimental model evaluation / Exposição de ovos de Toxocara canis a Purpureocillium lilacinum como estratégia de biocontrole: uma avaliação em modelo experimental

Abstract Purpureocillium lilacinum is a nematophagous fungus used in biological control against some parasites, including Toxocara canis. This study researched the infectivity of embryonated T. canis eggs after exposure to the fungus P. lilacinum. T. canis eggs were exposed to P. lilacinum for 15 or 30 days and subsequently administered to Swiss mice (n=20). Control group consisted of mice who received T. canis embryonated eggs without fungal exposure. Forty-eight hours after infection, heart, lung, and liver from animals of each group were collected to assess larval recovery. The organs of mice that received embryonated eggs exposed to the fungus showed a lower average larval recovery (P<0.05) suggesting that exposure of T. canis eggs to P. lilacinum was able to reduce experimental infection. Under the evaluated conditions, the interaction time between the fungus and the parasite eggs was not a significant factor in larvae recovery. P. lilacinum may be considered a promising T. canis biological control agent. However, further studies are needed to determine a protocol for the use of this fungus as a biological control agent.

Resumo Purpureocillium lilacinum é um fungo nematófago com potencial para uso no controle biológico de parasitos, incluindo Toxocara canis. Este estudo pesquisou a infectividade de ovos de T. canis embrionados após exposição ao fungo P. lilacinum . Ovos de T. canis foram expostos ao fungo por 15 ou 30 dias e subsequentemente administrados a camundongos Swiss (n=20). O grupo controle consistiu de camundongos que receberam ovos embrionados do parasita sem exposição ao fungo. Quarenta e oito horas após a infecção, coração, pulmão e fígado dos camundongos foram coletados para avaliar a recuperação larval. Os órgãos dos animais que receberam ovos embrionados expostos ao fungo apresentaram menor média de recuperação larval (P<0,05) do que os infectados com ovos sem exposição ao fungo, sugerindo que a exposição dos ovos de T. canis a P. lilacinum foi capaz de reduzir a infecção experimental. Nas condições avaliadas, o tempo de interação entre o fungo e os ovos do parasito não foi um fator significativo na recuperação das larvas. P. lilacinum pode ser considerado um promissor agente de controle biológico de T. canis, no entanto, mais estudos são necessários para avaliar o emprego deste fungo como um agente de controle biológico.

Study of mycelial polysaccharide from Paraisaria dubia of Ophiocordyceps gracilis asexual / 中国中药杂志

In order to provide a foundation for the development and application of Ophiocordyceps gracilis and increase the new resources of cordyceps,an asexual Paraisaria dubia was isolated from an O. gracilis fruit body. After 10 days of liquid fermentation,white globular mycelium and clear transparent fermentation were produced. The mycelium was extracted by hot water and precipitated with ethanol to obtain intracellular crude polysaccharide. The protein was deproteinized to obtain deproteinized polysaccharide. The intracellular pure polysaccharide was purified by Sepharose 4 B column chromatography and were analyzed by UV,IR,1 H-NMR,and13 CNMR data,as well as GC and HPLC. The results showed that the intracellular polysaccharide of P. dubia was composed of glucose,galactose and mannose with a molar ratio of 25. 54 ∶2 ∶1. It was a β-configuration glycosylic bond,containing pyranoside. The initial connection of polysaccharide was β(1→2)(1→4)(1→6) connection. This experiment provides a theoretical basis for the development and application of P. dubia.

Brote de fungemias por Sarocladium kiliense en ocho hospitales públicos por contaminación intrínseca de ondansetrón intravenoso / Outbreak of fungemias by Sarocladium kiliense in eight public hospitals per intrinsic contamination of ondansetron intravenous

Resumen Introducción: Sarocladium kiliense es un hongo saprófito que puede generar infecciones oportunistas asociadas a procedimientos invasores. Se informa un brote multicéntrico nosocomial de fungemias de fuente común por este agente. Luego del reporte de cinco casos en pacientes en tres hospitales al Programa de Control de Infecciones del Ministerio de Salud de Chile en julio de 2013, se estudiaron a nivel nacional todos los pacientes con hemocultivo positivo para este agente. Se trató de cuadros clínicos leves a moderados, sin muertes atribuibles. El estudio identificó 65 casos en 8 hospitales, en su mayoría pacientes pediátricos en quimioterapia. Estudios iniciales de 94 muestras de cuatro fármacos y dispositivos usados en todos los casos resultaron negativas hasta que, en un segundo análisis de lotes seleccionados por criterios epidemiológicos y su matriz farmacéutica, se identificó la contaminación intrínseca de ampollas de ondansetrón de un productor específico, que se usó en todos los casos. Se realizó un retiro nacional de las ampollas de los tres lotes contaminados del fármaco, después de lo cual se contuvo el brote. La vigilancia de infecciones en los hospitales y el programa nacional coordinado con los laboratorios de microbiología fueron claves para identificar un brote multicéntrico de fuente común por contaminación de un fármaco por un hongo inusual.

Sarocladium kiliense is a saprophyte fungus that can cause opportunistic infections associated to invasive procedures. We report a multi-hospital nosocomial outbreak of fungemias due to this agent. Patients with positive blood culture to this agent were studied after six bloodstream infections identified in three Chilean hospitals in July 2013 were reported to Ministry of Health National Infection and Prevention Control Program. In general, there were mild clinical manifestations, without deaths attributable to the infection. Epidemiological and micro-biological study identified 65 cases in 8 hospitals, mostly pediatric patients in chemotherapy. Initial studies of 94 different drugs and medical devices had negative results, until a second analysis of specific blisters and their pharmaceutical matrix selected by epidemiological criteria identified an intrinsic contamination of ondansetron blisters from a specific producer used in all the patients. A recall of contaminated ondansetron blisters was performed in all the country, after which the outbreak was contained. Surveillance and response of local and national infection prevention and control programs and laboratory support were key to control of a national multi-hospital common source outbreak due to contamination of a drug by an unusual fungus.

Statistical tools application on dextranase production from Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4) and its application on dextran removal from sugarcane juice

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to optimize the dextranase production by fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4) and evaluate its activity in dextran reduction in sugarcane juice. The effects, over the P. chlamydosporia dextranase production, of different components from the culture medium were analyzed by Plackett-Burman design and central composite design. The response surface was utilized to determine the levels that, among the variables that influence dextranase production, provide higher production of these enzymes. The enzymatic effect on the removal of dextran present in sugarcane juice was also evaluated. It was observed that only NaNO3 and pH showed significant effect (p<0.05) over dextranase production and was determined that the levels which provided higher enzyme production were, respectively, 5 g/L and 5.5. The dextranases produced by fungus P. chlamydosporia reduced by 75% the dextran content of the sugarcane juice once treated for 12 hours, when compared to the control treatment.

Producción de unidades infectivas de Isaria fumosorosea (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) a partir de aislados nativos del noreste de México mediante 3 estrategias de propagación / Production of infectious units of Isaria fumosorosea ( Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) from different indigenous isolates of northeastern Mexico using 3 propagation strategies

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la producción de blastosporas y conidios de diferentes aislados nativos de México del hongo entomopatógeno Isaria fumosorosea y de una cepa de colección mediante diferentes técnicas de propagación. En la producción de blastosporas se utilizaron 2 medios de cultivo líquidos (sumergidos), uno a base de casaminoácidos y el otro a base de peptona de colágeno como fuentes de nitrógeno, con glucosa como fuente de carbono en ambos. Para la producción de conidios, los hongos se cultivaron en agar papa dextrosa, a partir de esos cultivos se prepararon suspensiones de 1 x 10(6) conidios/ml para inocular matraces con caldo dextrosa Sabouraud, para iniciar así la fase líquida del cultivo bifásico, denominado también precultivo. Posteriormente con el precultivo y las suspensiones de conidios se inocularon bolsas con granos de arroz, que se incubaron durante 14 días para el cultivo bifásico y para la fermentación sólida, respectivamente. El aislado HIB-23 fue el que logró la más elevada concentración de blastosporas obtenida en el cultivo sumergido: 4,90 x 10(8) blastosporas/ml en el medio casaminoácidos; y en el medio con peptona de colágeno se obtuvieron 2,15 x 10(8) blastosporas/ml. La máxima producción de conidios en fermentación sólida la logró la cepa Pfr-612 (1,58 x 10(9) conidios/g), mientras que la máxima en cultivo bifásico correspondió al aislado HIB-30 (9,00 x 10(6) conidios/g). La fermentación sólida resultó ser el método más efectivo, con un promedio de 1,09 x 10(9) conidios/g, mientras que el cultivo bifásico fue el menos efectivo, con un promedio de 2,76 x 10(6) conidios/g. Para la producción de blastosporas en los medios sumergidos no se obtuvo diferencia significativa alguna.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of blastospores and conidia of different native isolates and a strain of Isaria fumosorosea using different propagation techniques. Two liquid culture media of casamino acids and peptone as nitrogen sources and glucose as carbon source for both media cultures were respectively used in the production of blastospores, while for the production of conidia, the fungi were grown in potato dextrose agar; from these cultures, solutions of conidia to a concentration of 1 x 10(6) per milliliter were prepared to inoculate flasks with Sabouraud dextrose broth for the liquid phase of the biphasic culture, also known as preculture. Subsequently, rice grain bags were inoculated with the preculture and the conidia solutions, which were incubated for 14 days for solid fermentation and biphasic culture, respectively. The HIB-23 isolate recorded a concentration of 4.90 x 10(8) blastospores/ml in the casamino acid medium, while a concentration of 2.15 x 10(8) blastospores/ml was obtained in the peptone collagen medium. For the Pfr-612 strain, the conidia production in solid-state fermentation was 1.58 x 10(9) conidia/g, and for HIB-30 in the biphasic culture of 9.00 x 10(6) conidia/g. Solid-state fermentation proved to be the most effective method with an average of 1.09 x 10(9) conidia/g, whereas the biphasic culture was the least effective method with 2.76 x 10(6) conidia/g; no significant difference was reported for the submerged production media.

Discovery of differential sequences for improving breeding and yield of cultivated Ophiocordyceps sinensis through ITS sequencing and phylogenetic analysis / 中国天然药物

To accelerate the breeding process of cultivated Ophiocordyceps sinensis and increase its yield, it is important to identify molecular fingerprint of dominant O. sinensis. In the present study, we collected 3 batches of industrially cultivated O. sinensis product with higher yield than the others and compared their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences with the wild and the reported. The ITS sequence was obtained by bidirectional sequencing and analyzed with molecular systematics as a DNA barcode for rapid and accurate identification of wild and cultivated O. sinensis collected. The ITS sequences of O. sinensis with detailed collection loci on NCBI were downloaded to construct a phylogenetic tree together with the sequences obtained from the present study by using neighbor-joining method based on their evolution relationship. The information on collection loci was analyzed with ArcGIS 10.2 to demonstrate the geographic distribution of these samples and thus to determine the origin of the dominant samples. The results showed that all wild and cultivated samples were identified as O. sinensis and all sequences were divided into seven phylogenetic groups in the tree. Those groups were precisely distributed on the map and the process of their system evolution was clearly presented. The three cultivated samples were clustered into two dominant groups, showing the correlation between the industrially cultivated samples and the dominant wild samples, which can provide references for its optimized breeding in the future.

Discovery of differential sequences for improving breeding and yield of cultivated Ophiocordyceps sinensis through ITS sequencing and phylogenetic analysis / 中国天然药物

To accelerate the breeding process of cultivated Ophiocordyceps sinensis and increase its yield, it is important to identify molecular fingerprint of dominant O. sinensis. In the present study, we collected 3 batches of industrially cultivated O. sinensis product with higher yield than the others and compared their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences with the wild and the reported. The ITS sequence was obtained by bidirectional sequencing and analyzed with molecular systematics as a DNA barcode for rapid and accurate identification of wild and cultivated O. sinensis collected. The ITS sequences of O. sinensis with detailed collection loci on NCBI were downloaded to construct a phylogenetic tree together with the sequences obtained from the present study by using neighbor-joining method based on their evolution relationship. The information on collection loci was analyzed with ArcGIS 10.2 to demonstrate the geographic distribution of these samples and thus to determine the origin of the dominant samples. The results showed that all wild and cultivated samples were identified as O. sinensis and all sequences were divided into seven phylogenetic groups in the tree. Those groups were precisely distributed on the map and the process of their system evolution was clearly presented. The three cultivated samples were clustered into two dominant groups, showing the correlation between the industrially cultivated samples and the dominant wild samples, which can provide references for its optimized breeding in the future.

Endophytic fungus Purpureocillium sp. A5 protect mangrove plant Kandelia candel under copper stress

Abstract Mangrove is an important ecosystem in the world. Mangrove ecosystems have a large capacity in retaining heavy metals, and now they are usually considered as sinks for heavy metals. However, the mechanism of why the soil of mangrove ecosystems can retain heavy metal is not certain. In this research, endophytic fungus Purpureocillium sp. A5 was isolated and identified from the roots of Kandelia candel. When this fungus was added, it protected the growth of K. candel under Cu stress. This can be illustrated by analyzing chlorophyll A and B, RWC and WSD to leaves of K. candel. Purpureocillium sp. A5 reduces uptake of Cu in K. candel and changes the pH characterization of soil. Furthermore, A5 increase the concentration of Cu complexes in soil, and it enhanced the concentration of carbonate-bound Cu, Mn-Fe complexes Cu and organic-bound Cu in soil. Nevertheless, a significant reduction of the Cu ion was noted among A5-treated plants. This study is significant and illustrates a promising potential use for environmental remediation of endophytes, and also may partially explain the large capacity of mangrove ecosystems in retaining heavy metals.

Contribution to the knowledge of pathogenic fungi of spiders in Argentina: Southernmost record in the world / Aporte al conocimiento de los hongos patógenos de arañas en Argentina: El registro más austral del mundo

The aim of this study was to identify entomopathogenic fungi infecting spiders (Araneae) in a protected area of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The Araneae species identified was Stenoterommata platensis. The pathogens identified were Lecanicillium aphanocladii Zare & W. Gams, Purpureocillium lilacinum (Thom) Luangsa-ard, Houbraken, Hywel Jones & Samson and Ophiocordyceps caloceroides (Berk & M.A. Curtis). This study constitutes the southernmost records in the world and contributes to expanding the knowledge of the biodiversity of pathogenic fungi of spiders in Argentina.

El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar hongos entomopatógenos de arañas en un área protegida de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. La especie de araña identificada fue Stenoterommata platensis. Los patógenos identificados fueron Lecanicillium aphanocladii Zare y W. Gams, Purpureocillium lilacinum (Thom) Luangsa-ard, Houbraken, Hywel Jones y Samson y Ophiocordyceps caloceroides (Berk y M.A. Curtis). Este estudio constituye el registro más austral del mundo y contribuye a ampliar el conocimiento de la biodiversidad de hongos patógenos de arañas en Argentina.

Predatory activity of Butlerius nematodes and nematophagous fungi against Haemonchus contortus infective larvae / Atividade predatória de nematóides Butlerius e fungos nematófagos contra larvas infectantes de Haemonchus contortus

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predatory activity of the nematode Butlerius spp. and fungal isolates of Duddingtonia flagrans, Clonostachys rosea, Arthrobotrys musiformis and Trichoderma esau against H. contortus infective larvae (L3) in grass pots. Forty-eight plastic gardening pots containing 140 g of sterile soil were used. Panicum spp. grass seeds (200 mg) were sown into each pot and individually watered with 10 mL of tap water. Twelve days after seeding, the pots were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=8). Two thousand H. contortus infective larvae (L3) were added to each group. Additionally, the following treatments were established: Group 1 – 2000 Butlerius spp. larvae; group 2 – A. musiformis (1x107 conidia); group 3 – T. esau (1x107 conidia); group 4 – C. rosea (1x107 conidia), group 5 – D. flagrans (1x107conidia) and Group 6 – no biological controller (control group). The larval population of H. contortus exposed to Butlerius spp. was reduced by 61.9%. Population reductions of 90.4, 66.7, 61.9 and 85.7% were recorded in the pots containing A. musiformis, T. esau, C. rosea and D. flagrans, respectively. The results of this study indicate that the predatory nematode Butlerius spp. and the assessed fungi display an important predatory activity can be considered suitable potential biological control agents.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade predatória do nematoide Butlerius spp. e isolados fúngicos de Duddingtonia flagrans, Clonostachys rosea, Arthrobotrys musiformis e Trichoderma esau contra larvas infectantes (L3) de Haemonchus contortus em vasos plantados com Panicum spp. Foram utilizados quarenta e oito potes plásticos de jardinagem contendo 140 g de solo estéril, 200 mg de sementes de Panicum spp.. Cultivar colonião, foi semeado em cada vaso e, diariamente, molhados com 10 mL de água da torneira. Doze dias após, os vasos foram divididos em 6 grupos (n = 8), e duas mil L3 de H. contortus foram adicionadas a cada vaso. Foram estabelecidos os seguintes tratamentos: Grupo 1 - 2.000 larvas de Butlerius spp.; Grupo 2 - A. musiformis (1x107 conídios); grupo 3 - T. esau (1x107 conídios); grupo 4 - C. rosea (1x107 conídios); grupo 5 - D. flagrans (1x107conidia); e Grupo 6 – somente L3 de H. contortus que serviu como controle negativo. A população de L3 de H. contortus expostas a Butlerius spp. foi reduzida em 61,9%. Redução populacional de 90,4, 66,7, 61,9 e 85,7% foram observadas nos vasos contendo A. musiformis, T. esau, C. rosea e D. flagrans, respectivamente. Os resultados deste estudo indicaram que o nematoide Butlerius spp. e os fungos avaliados exibiram importante atividade predatória e podem ser considerados como agentes de controle biológico.

Characterization of Two Species of Acremonium (Unrecorded in Korea) from Soil Samples: A. variecolor and A. persicinum

During a survey of fungal diversity of the order Hypocreales in Korea, two Acremonium isolates, CNUFC-1YSRS2-4 and CNUFC-GSNPF3-1, were isolated from soils collected on a bank of the Yeongsan River, Naju, and in a forest on the Mt. Daegak located on Sinsi Island, Gunsan, South Korea, respectively. Based on the morphological characteristics and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and D1/D2 domains of 28S ribosomal DNA, the isolates CNUFC-1YSRS2-4 and CNUFC-GSNPF3-1 were identified as A. variecolor and A. persicinum, respectively. These 2 species represent novel Hypocreales isolates in Korea.

Classification and infection mechanism of entomopathogenic fungi / Classificacão e mecanismo de infecção dos fungos entomopatogênicos

Entomopathogenic fungi are important biological control agents throughout the world, have been the subject of intensive research for more than 100 years, and can occur at epizootic or enzootic levels in their host populations. Their mode of action against insects involves attaching a spore to the insect cuticle, followed by germination, penetration of the cuticle, and dissemination inside the insect. Strains of entomopathogenic fungi are concentrated in the following orders: Hypocreales (various genera), Onygenales (Ascosphaera genus), Entomophthorales, and Neozygitales (Entomophthoromycota).(AU)

Os fungos entomopatogênicos são importantes agentes de controle biológico em todo o mundo e têm sido objeto de intensa pesquisa por mais de 100 anos, infectando artrópodes na natureza e podendo ocorrer em níveis enzoóticos ou epizoóticos em suas populações de hospedeiros. O seu mecanismo de infecção envolve a fixação do esporo à cutícula do inseto, seguido da germinação, penetração da cutícula e disseminação interna no inseto. As linhagens dos fungos entomopatogênicos estão concentradas nas ordens: Hypocreales (vários gêneros), Onygenales (gênero Ascosphaera), Entomophthorales e Neozygitales (Entomophthoromycota).(AU)

Molecular diagnosis and intraspecific genetic variability of root pathogens of arid legumes in Western Rajasthan, India / Diagnóstico molecular y la variabilidad genética intraespecífica de patógenos de raíces en leguminosas resistentes a sequías del oeste de Rajasthan, India

Abstract:The productivity of arid legumes, such as Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) and Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum), may remain stagnant over decades because of their high susceptibility to root diseases. Besides, there is a limitation on the information about molecular diagnosis and intraspecific genetic variability of root pathogens in arid legumes. To contribute in this field, we assessed a total of 52 isolates from 88 root samples that were found infected with fungal pathogens in Jodhpur, Jaipur and Bikaner Districts of Rajasthan. Diseased roots samples were analyzed following standard microbiological methods for fungus extraction and purification, and for genetic studies. Irrespective of the geographical location from where the diseased samples were collected, all pathogen isolates were clustered in RAPD dendrograms as per their respective genera. Phylogram, based on multiple sequence alignment, revealed that different genera (i.e. Fusarium, Neocosmospora and Syncephalastrum), separated from each other, and species within the same genera, clustered together with their reference sequences with apreciable bootstrap values. Out of 20 representative isolates representing each cluster and all outgroups sequenced, eight were molecularly identified as Neocosmospora vasinfecta, five as Fusarium solani, two as Neocosmospora striata, two as Fusarium acutatum, one as Syncephalastrum monosporum, one as Fusarium oxysporum and one as Fusarium species. The root pathogens of the arid legumes were found neither restricted to a geographical location nor were host specific in nature. Fusarium solani wilt in cowpea and seedling rot in moth bean, F. oxysporum wilt in moth bean, F. acutatum damping off in cowpea and Clusterbean, Fusarium sp. seedling rot in Clusterbean, Neocosmospora striata root rot in cowpea and wilt in Clusterbean and Syncephalastrum monosporum root rot in Clusterbean were molecularly identified as new fungal records as pathogens causing root diseases in arid legumes. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (4): 1505-1518. Epub 2016 December 01.

Resumen:La producción de leguminosas resistentes a sequías como Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Vigna unguiculata, Vigna aconitifolia y Macrotyloma uniflorum, puede permanecer inactiva durante décadas debido a su alta susceptibilidad a enfermedades en las raíces. Además, hay información limitada relacionada con el diagnóstico molecular y la variabilidad genética intraespecífica de patógenos de raíces en estas leguminosas resistentes a sequías. Para contribuir en esta área, evaluamos un total de 52 extractos de 88 raíces infectadas con patógenos fúngicos en los distritos de Jodhpur, Jaipur y Bikaner de Rajastán. Las muestras de raíces infectadas se analizaron siguiendo los métodos estándar de microbiología para extracción y purificación de hongos y para estudios genéticos. Independientemente del sitio donde se recolectaron las muestras contaminadas, todos los extractos patógenicos se agruparon en dendrogramas RAPD en cada uno de sus respectivos géneros. El filograma, basado en alineamiento de secuencias múltiples reveló que distintos géneros (Fusarium, Neocosmospora y Syncephalastrum) separados entre ellos y especies del mismo género se agrupan con sus secuencias de referencia con valores de bootstrap significativos. De cada 20 extractos representantes de cada agrupamiento y todos los grupos externos secuenciados, ocho fueron identificados molecularmente como Neocosmospora vasinfecta, dos como Fusarium acutatum, una como Syncephalastrum monosporum, una como Fusarium oxysporum y una como Fusarium. Los patógenos de estas leguminosas resistentes a sequías no están restringidos por la localidad ni por un hospedero específico. Fusarium solani que marchita el frijol de vaca y pudre la semilla de Vigna aconitifolia, F. oxysporum que marchita a Vigna aconitifolia, F. acutatum que marchita a Vigna unguiculata y Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Fusarium sp. que pudre la semilla de Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Neocosmospora striata que pudre la raíz de Vigna unguiculata y marchita a Cyamopsis tetragonoloba y, Syncephalastrum monosporum que pudre la raíz en Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, fueron identificados molecularmente como nuevos registros de patógenos fúngicos que causan daños en las raíces de leguminosas resistentes a sequías.