Epicoccum nigrum P16, a sugarcane endophyte, produces antifungal compounds and induces root growth

Antagonistic potential of endophytic fungal isolates of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits against post-harvest disease-causing pathogens of tomatoes: An in vitro investigation

Post-harvest decay of fresh agricultural produce is a major threat to food security globally. Synthetic fungicides, commonly used in practice for managing the post-harvest losses, have negative impacts on consumers' health. Studies have reported the effectiveness of fungal isolates from plants as biocontrol agents of post-harvest diseases, although this is still poorly established in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Jasmine). In this study, 800 endophytic fungi were isolated from mature green and ripe untreated and fungicide-treated tomato fruits grown in open soil and hydroponics systems. Of these, five isolates (Aureobasidium pullulans SUG4.1, Coprinellus micaceus SUG4.3, Epicoccum nigrum SGT8.6, Fusarium oxysporum HTR8.4, Preussia africana SUG3.1) showed antagonistic properties against selected post-harvest pathogens of tomatoes (Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Geotrichum candidum, Rhizopus stolonifera, Rhizoctonia solani), with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum as a positive control. P. africana SUG3.1 and C. micaceus SUG4.3 significantly inhibited growth of all the pathogens, with antagonistic capabilities comparable to that exhibited by L. plantarum. Furthermore, the isolates produced an array of enzymes, including among others, amylase, cellulose and protease; and were able to utilize several carbohydrates (glucose, lactose, maltose, mannitol, sucrose). In conclusion, P. africana SUG3.1 and C. micaceus SUG4.3 may complement L. plantarum as biocontrol agents against post-harvest pathogens of tomatoes.

Didymellaceae species associated with tea plant (Camelliasinensis) in China

Tea plant is one of the most important commercial crops worldwide. The Didymellaceae fungi can cause leaf blight disease of tea plant. In this study, 240 isolates were isolated from tea plant leaves of 10 provinces in China. Combined with multi-locus (ITS, LSU, RPB2 and TUB2) phylogenetic analysis and morphological characteristics, these isolates were identified as 25 species of six genera in Didymellaceae, including 19 known species Didymellacoffeae-arabicae, D.pomorum, D.segeticola, D.sinensis, Epicoccumcatenisporum, E.dendrobii, E.draconis, E.italicum, E.latusicollum, E.mackenziei, E.oryzae, E.poaceicola, E.rosae, E.sorghinum, E.tobaicum, Neoascochytamortariensis, Paraboeremialitseae, Remotididymellaanemophila and Stagonosporopsiscaricae, of which 15 species were new record species and six novel species, named D.yunnanensis, E.anhuiense, E.jingdongense, E.puerense, N.yunnanensis and N.zhejiangensis. Amongst all isolates, D.segeticola was the most dominant species. Pathogenicity tests on tea plant leaves showed that E.anhuiense had the strongest virulence, while E.puerense had the weakest virulence. Besides, D.pomorum, D.yunnanensis, E.dendrobii, E.italicum, E.jingdongense, E.mackenziei, E.oryzae, E.rosae, E.tobaicum, N.mortariensis, N.yunnanensis, N.zhejiangensis and R.anemophila were non-pathogenic to the tea plant.

Factors affecting the production of sugarcane yield and sucrose accumulation: suggested potential biological solutions

Environmental stresses are the main constraints on agricultural productivity and food security worldwide. This issue is worsened by abrupt and severe changes in global climate. The formation of sugarcane yield and the accumulation of sucrose are significantly influenced by biotic and abiotic stresses. Understanding the biochemical, physiological, and environmental phenomena associated with these stresses is essential to increase crop production. This review explores the effect of environmental factors on sucrose content and sugarcane yield and highlights the negative effects of insufficient water supply, temperature fluctuations, insect pests, and diseases. This article also explains the mechanism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the role of different metabolites under environmental stresses, and highlights the function of environmental stress-related resistance genes in sugarcane. This review further discusses sugarcane crop improvement approaches, with a focus on endophytic mechanism and consortium endophyte application in sugarcane plants. Endophytes are vital in plant defense; they produce bioactive molecules that act as biocontrol agents to enhance plant immune systems and modify environmental responses through interaction with plants. This review provides an overview of internal mechanisms to enhance sugarcane plant growth and environmental resistance and offers new ideas for improving sugarcane plant fitness and crop productivity.

High Diversity of Epicoccum Species Associated with Leaf Spot on Italian Ryegrass in Southwestern China: Six New Records and Three New Species

Italian ryegrass is widely cultivated for the production of forage, hay, and silage because of its high nutritional value and good palatability. Leaf spots caused by fungi pose a serious threat to forage crops. In order to expand the knowledge of fungi causing leaf spots in ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, and Guizhou of southwestern China, a comprehensive survey was undertaken from 2015 to 2022. The survey discovered that Epicoccum leaf spot (ELS) was a common and widespread disease, more serious at the late stage of growth (after late May). Symptomatic leaf samples collected from the four different provinces were analyzed, and a total of 202 Epicoccum isolates were obtained. Based on both multilocus phylogeny (ITS, LSU, TUB2, and RPB2) and morphology, 10 Epicoccum species were finally identified, including three novel species (E. endololii sp. nov., E. lolii sp. nov., and E. loliicola sp. nov.), six new host records (E. draconis, E. endophyticum, E. oryzae, E. plurivorum, E. thailandicum, and E. tobaicum), and an unknown species (Epicoccum sp.1). Pathogenicity tests showed that E. endophyticum, E. endololii, and Epicoccum sp.1 were nonpathogenic to Italian ryegrass, which were confirmed as endophytes in this study; the other six species could infect Italian ryegrass and cause leaf lesions to different degrees, of which E. draconis was more aggressive (P ≤ 0.05). Coupled with the isolation rates and geographical distributions of these species, it was found that E. plurivorum was the predominant pathogen in Yunnan while E. oryzae and E. tobaicum were the predominant pathogens in the other three provinces. This work provides an initial understanding of the taxonomy, virulence, and distribution of Epicoccum species associated with ELS in southwestern China and lays a solid foundation for the diagnosis in the field and scientific control of ELS on Italian ryegrass.

Cytotoxic naphtho- and benzofurans from an endophytic fungus Epicoccum nigrum Ann-B-2 associated with Annona squamosa fruits

Chemical exploration of the total extract derived from Epicoccum nigrum Ann-B-2, an endophyte associated with Annona squamosa fruits, afforded two new metabolites, epicoccofuran A (1) and flavimycin C (2), along with four known compounds namely, epicocconigrone A (3), epicoccolide B (4), epicoccone (5) and 4,5,6-trihydroxy-7-methyl-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran (6). Structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using extensive 1D and 2D NMR along with HR-ESI-MS. Flavimycin C (2) was isolated as an epimeric mixture of its two diastereomers 2a and 2b. The new compounds 1 and 2 displayed moderate activity against B. subtilis, whereas compounds (2, 3, 5, and 6) showed significant antiproliferative effects against a panel of seven different cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 1.3 to 12 µM.

The Wheat Endophyte Epicoccum layuense J4-3 Inhibits Fusarium graminearum and Enhances Plant Growth

Fungal endophytes are well-known for their ability to promote plant growth and hinder fungal diseases, including Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum. This study aimed to characterize the biocontrol efficacy of strain J4-3 isolated from the stem of symptomless wheat collected from Heilongjiang Province, China. It was identified as Epicoccum layuense using morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and beta-tubulin (TUB). In a dual culture assay, strain J4-3 significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of F. graminearum strain PH-1 and other fungal pathogens. In addition, wheat coleoptile tests showed that lesion symptoms caused by F. graminearum were significantly reduced in wheat seedlings treated with hyphal fragment suspensions of strain J4-3 compared to the controls. Under field conditions, applying spore suspensions and culture filtrates of strain J4-3 with conidial suspensions of F. graminearum on wheat spikes resulted in the significant biocontrol efficacy of FHB. In addition, wheat seedlings previously treated with spore suspensions of strain J4-3 before sowing successfully resulted in FHB reduction after the application of conidial suspensions of F. graminearum at anthesis. More importantly, wheat seedlings treated with hyphal fragments and spore suspensions of strain J4-3 showed significant increases in wheat growth compared to the controls under greenhouse and field conditions. Overall, these findings suggest that E. layuense J4-3 could be a promising biocontrol agent (BCA) against F. graminearum, causing FHB and a growth-promoting fungus in wheat.

Can endophytic microbial compositions in cane roots be shaped by different propagation methods

In practical production, cane stems with buds are generally used as seed for propagation. However, long-terms cane stems only easily lead to some problems such as disease sensitivity, quality loss, etc. Recently, cane seedings, which are produced by tissue culture were used in sugarcane production, but few studies on cane health related to tissue culture seedings. Therefore, to evaluate the immunity and health of sugarcanes growing from different reproduction modes, the endophytic microbial compositions in cane roots between stem and tissue culture seedlings were analyzed using high-throughput techniques. The results showed that the endophytic microbial compositions in cane roots were significant differences between stem and tissue culture seedlings. At the genus level, Pantoea, Bacillus, Streptomyces, Lechevalieria, Pseudomonas, Nocardioides, unclassified_f__Comamonadaceae enriched as the dominant endophytic bacterial genera, and Rhizoctonia, Sarocladium, Scytalidium, Wongia, Fusarium, unclassified_f__Phaeosphaer, unclassified_c__Sordariom, unclassified_f__Stachybot, Poaceascoma, Microdochium, Arnium, Echria, Mycena and Exophiala enriched as the dominant endophytic fungal genera in cane roots growing from the tissue culture seedlings. In contrast, Mycobacterium, Massilia, Ralstonia, unclassified_f__Pseudonocardiacea, norank_f__Micropepsaceae, Leptothrix and Bryobacter were the dominant endophytic bacterial genera, and unclassified_k__Fungi, unclassified_f__Marasmiaceae, Talaromyces, unclassified_c__Sordariomycetes and Trichocladium were the dominant endophytic fungal genera in cane roots growing from stem seedlings. Additionally, the numbers of bacterial and fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in cane roots growing from tissue culture seedlings were significantly higher than those of stem seedlings. It indicates that not only the endophytic microbial compositions in cane roots can be shaped by different propagation methods, but also the stress resistance of sugarcanes can be improved by the tissue culture propagation method.

Coffee-Associated Endophytes: Plant Growth Promotion and Crop Protection

Endophytic microbes are a ubiquitous group of plant-associated communities that colonize the intercellular or intracellular host tissues while providing numerous beneficial effects to the plants. All the plant species are thought to be associated with endophytes, majorly constituted with bacteria and fungi. During the last two decades, there has been a considerable movement toward the study of endophytes associated with coffee plants. In this review, the main consideration is given to address the coffee-associated endophytic bacteria and fungi, particularly their action on plant growth promotion and the biocontrol of pests. In addition, we sought to identify and analyze the gaps in the available research. Additionally, the potential of endophytes to improve the quality of coffee seeds is briefly discussed. Even though there are limited studies on the subject, the potentiality of coffee endophytes in plant growth promotion through enhancing nitrogen fixation, availability of minerals, nutrient absorption, secretion of phytohormones, and other bioactive metabolites has been well recognized. Further, the antagonistic effect against various coffee pathogenic bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and also insect pests leads to the protection of the crop. Furthermore, it is recognized that endophytes enhance the sensory characteristics of coffee as a new field of study.

Diversity of bacterial and fungal endo phytic communities presents in the leaf blades of Sinningia magnifica, Sinningia schiffneri and Sinningia speciosa from different cladus of Gesneriaceae family: a comparative analysis in three consecutive years

Sinningia is a genus of plants of Gesneriaceae family with species native to Brazil and is a source of several classes of bioactive secondary metabolites, such as quinones, terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenylethanoid glycosides. However, the diversity of endophytic microorganisms associated with them and the impact of endophytes on the biosynthesis of bioactive substances is unknown. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the microbial diversity, behavior, and frequency of endophytes in leaves blades of S. magnifica, S. schiffneri, and S. speciosa. These plants were collected in different regions and environments of Brazil and were studied comparatively for three consecutive years. The total DNA obtained from the blades of the plant leaves were sequenced by the Illumina MiSeq platform, followed by bioinformatics analysis to assess the microbial diversity of endophytes associated with each plant species and study year. The results of the taxonomic diversity showed a dynamic microbial community, which contained several bacterial phyla among them, Actinomycetota, Bacteroidota, Bacillota, and Pseudomonadota, and for the fungal phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Comparing the three years of study, the richness of the genera, over time, was decreasing, with signs of recovery towards the third year. The alpha and beta diversity indices confirm a great phylogenetic richness in the endophytic communities of bacteria and fungi associated with the leaf blades of Sinningia. However, these communities are comparatively little conserved, showing population and taxonomic changes of the microorganisms over time, possibly as a measure of adjustment to environmental conditions, evidencing both its fragility and versatility against the effects of environmental change on its endophytic microbial communities.

Genetic Diversity of Epicoccum nigrum and its Effects on Fusarium graminearum

Epicoccum nigrum is a saprophytic or endophytic fungus that is found worldwide. Because of the antagonist effects of E. nigrum on many plant pathogens, current studies on E. nigrum have focused on the development of biological control agents and the utilization of its various metabolites. In this study, E. nigrum was collected from a wheat field, and its genetic diversity was analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses identified 63 isolates of E. nigrum divided into seven groups, indicating a wide genetic diversity. Isolates antagonized the wheat pathogen Fusarium graminearum, and reduced disease symptoms caused by F. graminearum in wheat coleoptiles. Moreover, pretreatment of wheat coleoptiles with E. nigrum induced the upregulation of pathogen-related (PR) genes, PR1, PR2, PR3, PR5, PR9, and PR10 in wheat coleoptiles responding to F. graminearum invasion. Overall, this study indicates that E. nigrum isolates can be used as biological pathogen inhibitors applied in wheat fields.

Exploring the potential of endophytes and their metabolites for bio-control activity

In the current scenario, extensive use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture is creating notable problems such as disease and pest resistance, residues, yield loss, and soil unproductiveness. These harmful chemicals are eventually reaching our food plate through bioaccumulation and biomagnification in a crop. As a result, beneficial microorganisms are regularly being explored as a safer option in the agriculture sector for their ability to produce valuable bioactive secondary metabolites, particularly for crop protection. Such natural (bio) products are harmless to plants, humans, and the environment. In our quest for the search of the sources of bioactive constituents from the microorganisms, endophytes are the front-runner. They mutually reside inside the plant providing support against phytopathogens by releasing an array of bioactive secondary metabolites building climate reliance of the host plant. The purpose of this review is to examine the biocontrol potential of endophytes against bacterial and fungal pathogens in sustainable agriculture. We also attempt to explain the structure and activity of the secondary metabolites produced by bacterial and fungal endophytes in conjunction with their biocontrol function. Additionally, we address potential future research directions for endophytes as biopesticides.

Leaf-Associated Epiphytic Fungi of Gingko biloba, Pinus bungeana and Sabina chinensis Exhibit Delicate Seasonal Variations

Plant-leaf surface on Earth harbors complex microbial communities that influence plant productivity and health. To gain a detailed understanding of the assembly and key drivers of leaf microbial communities, especially for leaf-associated fungi, we investigated leaf-associated fungal communities in two seasons for three plant species at two sites by high-throughput sequencing. The results reveal a strong impact of growing season and plant species on fungal community composition, exhibiting clear temporal patterns in abundance and diversity. For the deciduous tree Gingko biloba, the number of enriched genera in May was much higher than that in October. The number of enriched genera in the two evergreen trees Pinus bungeana and Sabina chinensis was slightly higher in October than in May. Among the genus-level biomarkers, the abundances of Alternaria, Cladosporium and Filobasidium were significantly higher in October than in May in the three tree species. Additionally, network correlations between the leaf-associated fungi of G. biloba were more complex in May than those in October, containing extra negative associations, which was more obvious than the network correlation changes of leaf-associated fungi of the two evergreen plant species. Overall, the fungal diversity and community composition varied significantly between different growing seasons and host plant species.

Bacterial-fungal interactions under agricultural settings: from physical to chemical interactions

Bacteria and fungi are dominant members of environmental microbiomes. Various bacterial-fungal interactions (BFIs) and their mutual regulation are important factors for ecosystem functioning and health. Such interactions can be highly dynamic, and often require spatiotemporally resolved assessments to understand the interplay which ranges from antagonism to mutualism. Many of these interactions are still poorly understood, especially in terms of the underlying chemical and molecular interplay, which is crucial for inter-kingdom communication and interference. BFIs are highly relevant under agricultural settings; they can be determinative for crop health. Advancing our knowledge related to mechanisms underpinning the interactions between bacteria and fungi will provide an extended basis for biological control of pests and pathogens in agriculture. Moreover, it will facilitate a better understanding of complex microbial community networks that commonly occur in nature. This will allow us to determine factors that are crucial for community assembly under different environmental conditions and pave the way for constructing synthetic communities for various biotechnological applications. Here, we summarize the current advances in the field of BFIs with an emphasis on agriculture.

Protective Effects of Filtrates and Extracts from Fungal Endophytes on Phytophthora cinnamomi in Lupinus luteus

Fungal endophytes have been found to protect their hosts against multiple fungal pathogens. Frequently, the secondary metabolites produced by the endophyte are responsible for antifungal activity. To develop new bio-products that are more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides against Phytophthora cinnamomi, a serious pathogen of many plant species, the antifungal activity of filtrates or extracts from four endophytes was evaluated in different in vitro tests and in plants of Lupinus luteus. In the dual culture assays, the filtrate of one of the endophytes (Drechslera biseptata) completely inhibited the mycelial growth of the pathogen. Moreover, it showed a very low minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Epicoccum nigrum, an endophyte that also showed high inhibitory activity and a low MIC against P. cinnamomi in those two experiments, provided a clear growth promotion effect when the extracts were applied to L. luteus seedlings. The extract of Fusarium avenaceum also manifested such a promotion effect and was the most effective in reducing the disease severity caused by the pathogen in lupine plants (73% reduction). Results demonstrated the inhibitory activity of the filtrates or extracts of these endophytes against P. cinnamomi. A better insight into the mechanisms involved may be gained by isolating and identifying the metabolites conferring this inhibitory effect against this oomycete pathogen.

Decontamination and Germination of Buckwheat Grains upon Treatment with Oxygen Plasma Glow and Afterglow

Buckwheat is an alternative crop known for its many beneficial effects on our health. Fungi are an important cause of plant diseases and food spoilage, often posing a threat to humans and animals. This study reports the effects of low-pressure cold plasma treatment on decontamination and germination of common (CB) and Tartary buckwheat (TB) grains. Both plasma glow and afterglow were applied. The glow treatment was more effective in decontamination: initial contamination was reduced to less than 30% in CB and 10% in TB. Fungal diversity was also affected as only a few genera persisted after the glow treatment; however, it also significantly reduced or even ceased the germination capacity of both buckwheat species. Detailed plasma characterisation by optical spectroscopy revealed extensive etching of outer layers as well as cotyledons. Afterglow treatment resulted in a lower reduction of initial fungal contamination (up to 30% in CB and up to 50% in TB) and had less impact on fungal diversity but did not drastically affect germination: 60–75% of grains still germinated even after few minutes of treatment. The vacuum conditions alone did not affect the fungal population or the germination despite an extensive release of water.

Bioprospecting beneficial endophytic bacterial communities associated with Rosmarinus officinalis for sustaining plant health and productivity

The present study aimed to isolate and identify root endophytic bacteria with multifunctional plant growth promoting (PGP) traits from medicinal plant Rosmarinus officinalis grown in the North-Western Himalayas. A total of 42 strains were isolated, exhibiting variable degrees of PGP traits, including phosphate solubilization (10-375 µg/mL), indole-3-acetic acid (6-66 µg/mL), siderophore (32.37%-301.48% SU) production and antifungal activity in terms of percent growth inhibition (% GI) against Fusarium oxysporum (44.44%-77.77% GI), Fusarium graminearum (48.88%-71.42% GI) and Rhizoctonia solani (44.44%-77.7% GI). The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed lineage of these strains to 15 genera viz., Aneurinibacillus, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Cedecea, Ensifer, Enterobacter, Kosakonia, Lactobacillus, Lysobacter, Oxynema, Pseudomonas, Pantoea, Paenibacillus, Pseudoxanthomonas and Serratia. Out of 42 strains, 11 potential strains were selected for in vivo growth studies of R. officinalis. The results showed that the inoculation of Bacillus subtilis KU21, Pseudomonas aeruginosa SI12, and Cedecea lapagei KU14 significantly increased the physical growth parameters of plant over uninoculated control viz., number of lateral of branches (43.95%-46.39%), stem height (29.04%-38.57%), root length (32.31%-37.14%), shoot (34.76%-40.91%) and root biomass (62.89%-70.70%). Physiological characteristics such as total chlorophyll (30.41%-30.96%), phenol (14.43%-24.55%) and carotenoids (34.26%-39.87%) content, also showed a relative increase as compared to uninoculated control; furthermore, the macronutrients (NPK) contents of the plant as well as soil also showed an increase. The developed module may be recommended for sustainable production of R. officinalis in the North-Western Himalayan region without hampering the soil health and fertility.

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of the Fungal Metabolites Isolated from the Marine Endophytes Epicoccum nigrum M13 and Alternaria alternata 13A

Epicotripeptin (1), a new cyclic tripeptide along with four known cyclic dipeptides (2-5) and one acetamide derivative (6) were isolated from seagrass-associated endophytic fungus Epicoccum nigrum M13 recovered from the Red Sea. Additionally, two new compounds, cyclodidepsipeptide phragamide A (7) and trioxobutanamide derivative phragamide B (8), together with eight known compounds (9-16), were isolated from plant-derived endophyte Alternaria alternata 13A collected from a saline lake of Wadi El Natrun depression in the Sahara Desert. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on the 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, HRESIMS data, and a comparison with the reported literature. The absolute configurations of 1 and 7 were established by advanced Marfey's and Mosher's ester analyses. The antimicrobial screening indicated that seven of the tested compounds exhibited considerable (MIC range of 2.5-5 µg/mL) to moderate (10-20 µg/mL) antibacterial effect against the tested Gram-positive strains and moderate to weak (10-30 µg/mL) antibacterial effect against Gram-negative strains. Most of the compounds exhibited weak or no activity against the tested Gram-negative strains. On the other hand, four of the tested compounds showed considerable antibiofilm effects against biofilm forming Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains.

Dark septate endophytes isolated from non-hyperaccumulator plants can increase phytoextraction of Cd and Zn by the hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens

Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) can improve plant stress tolerance by promoting growth and affecting element accumulation. Due to its ability to accumulate high Cd, Zn, and Ni concentrations in its shoots, Noccaea caerulescens is considered a promising candidate for phytoextraction in the field. However, the ability of DSEs to improve trace element (TE) phytoextraction with N. caerulescens has not yet been studied. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the ability of five DSE strains, previously isolated from poplar roots collected at different TE-contaminated sites, to improve plant development, mineral nutrient status, and metal accumulation by N. caerulescens during a pot experiment using two soils differing in their level of TE contamination. Microscopic observations revealed that the tested DSE strains effectively colonised the roots of N. caerulescens. In the highly contaminated (HC) soil, a threefold increase in root biomass was found in plants inoculated with the Leptodontidium sp. Pr30 strain compared to that in the non-inoculated condition; however, the plant nutrient status was not affected. In contrast, the two strains Phialophora mustea Pr27 and Leptodontidium sp. Me07 had positive effects on the mineral nutrient status of plants without significantly modifying their biomass. Compared to non-inoculated plants cultivated on HC soil, Pr27- and Pr30-inoculated plants extracted more Zn (+ 30%) and Cd (+ 90%), respectively. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the responses of N. caerulescens to DSE inoculation ranged from neutral to beneficial and we identified two strains (i.e. Leptodontidium sp. (Pr30) and Phialophora mustea (Pr27)) isolated from poplar that appeared promising as they increased the amounts of Zn and Cd extracted by improving plant growth and/or TE accumulation by N. caerulescens. These results generate interest in further characterising the DSEs that naturally colonise N. caerulescens and testing their ability to improve phytoextraction.

Discovery of a Novel Lineage Burkholderia cepacia ST 1870 Endophytically Isolated from Medicinal Polygala paniculata Which Shows Potent In Vitro Antileishmanial and Antimicrobial Effects

In this study, we report the isolation and identification of an endophytic strain of Burkholderia cepacia (COPS strain) associated with Polygala paniculata roots. Polygala plants are rich sources of promising microbiomes, of which the literature reports several pharmacological effects, such as trypanocidal, antinociceptive, anesthetic, anxiolytics, and anticonvulsant activities. B. cepacia COPS belongs to a new sequence type (ST 1870) and harbors a genome estimated in 8.3 Mbp which exhibits the aminoglycosides and beta-lactams resistance genes aph(3′)-IIa and bla_TEM-116, respectively. Analysis performed using MLST, average nucleotide identity, and digital DNA-DNA hybridization support its species-level identification and reveals its novel housekeeping genes alleles gyrB, lepA, and phaC. The root endophyte B. cepacia COPS drew our attention from a group of 14 bacterial isolates during the primary screening for being potentially active against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and exhibited the broad-spectrum activity against phytopathogenic fungi. In addition, COPS strain showed production of protease, lipase, and esterase in solid media, and its natural product extract showed potent inhibition against fungal plant pathogens, such as Moniliophthora perniciosa, whose antagonism index (89.32%) exceeded the positive control (74.17%), whereas Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Ceratocystis paradoxa showed high percentages of inhibition (85.53% and 82.69%, respectively). COPS crude extract also significantly inhibited S. epidermidis ATCC 35984, E. faecium ATCC 700221 (MIC values of 32 μg/mL for both), E. faecalis ATCC 29212 (64 μg/mL), and S. aureus ATCC 25923 (128 μg/mL). We observed moderate antagonistic activity against A. baumannii ATCC 19606 and E. coli ATCC 25922 (both at 512 μg/mL), as well as potent cytotoxic effects on Leishmania infantum and Leishmania major promastigote forms with 78.25% and 57.30% inhibition. In conclusion, this study presents for the first time the isolation of an endophytic B. cepacia strain associated with P. paniculata and enough evidence that these plants may be considered a rich source of microbes for the fight against neglected diseases.

Chemical signals driving bacterial-fungal interactions

Microorganisms reside in diverse environmental communities where interactions become indispensable due to close physical associations. These interactions are driven by chemical communication among different microbial kingdoms, particularly between fungi and bacteria. Knowledge about these communication signals provides useful information about the nature of microbial interactions and allows predictions of community development in diverse environments. Here, we provide an update on the role of small signalling molecules in fungal-bacterial interactions with focus on agricultural and medicinal environments. This review highlights the range of - and response to - diverse biochemicals produced by both kingdoms with view to harnessing their properties towards drug discovery applications.

The Fungal Endophyte Epicoccum dendrobii as a Potential Biocontrol Agent Against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is one of most serious fungal diseases on Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata). Eight fungal endophytes were isolated from a young heathy branch of Chinese fir and screened against the pathogen in vitro. One isolate, designated as SMEL1 and subsequently identified as Epicoccum dendrobii based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses, suppressed mycelial growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on dual-culture plates. Additionally, E. dendrobii metabolites significantly decreased the biomass of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. E. dendrobii was able to enter the internal tissues of the host plant via stomatal cells. Metabolites of E. dendrobii significantly inhibited conidial germination and appressorium formation, which at least partly explained why the endophyte significantly inhibited lesion development caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on various host plants. We further confirmed that some components with antifungal activity could be extracted from E. dendrobii using ethyl acetate as an organic solvent. To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. dendrobii as a potential biocontrol agent against a fungal phytopathogen.

Biocontrol Potential of Grapevine Endophytic and Rhizospheric Fungi Against Trunk Pathogens

Grapevine Trunk Diseases (GTDs) are a major challenge to the grape industry worldwide. GTDs are responsible for considerable loss of quality, production, and vineyard longevity. Seventy-five percent of Chilean vineyards are estimated to be affected by GTDs. GTDs are complex diseases caused by several fungi species, including members of the Botryosphaeriaceae family and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, considered some of the most important causal agents for these diseases in Chile. In this study, we isolated 169 endophytic and 209 rhizospheric fungi from grapevines grown under organic and conventional farming in Chile. Multiple isolates of Chaetomium sp., Cladosporium sp., Clonostachys rosea, Epicoccum nigrum, Purpureocillium lilacinum, and Trichoderma sp. were evaluated for their potential of biocontrol activity against Diplodia seriata, Neofusicoccum parvum, and Pa. chlamydospora. Tests of antagonism were carried out using two dual-culture-plate methods with multiple media types, including agar containing grapevine wood extract to simulate in planta nutrient conditions. Significant pathogen growth inhibition was observed by all isolates tested. Clonostachys rosea showed 98.2% inhibition of all pathogens in the presence of grapevine wood extract. We observed 100% pathogen growth inhibition when autoclaved lignified grapevine shoots were pre-inoculated with either C. rosea strains or Trichoderma sp. Overall, these results show that C. rosea strains isolated from grapevines are promising biocontrol agents against GTDs.

Contrasting effects of Rhizophagus irregularis versus bacterial and fungal seed endophytes on Trifolium repens plant-soil feedback

Interactions between plants and soil affect plant-plant interactions and community composition by modifying soils conditions in plant-soil feedback, where associated microbes have the most crucial role. Both arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and microbial seed endophytes have been demonstrated to influence, directly or indirectly, biotic or abiotic soil properties, thus affecting subsequent plant growth, and community structure. However, little is known about how plant endophyte communities, individually or in interaction with AMF, affect plant-soil feedback processes. Here, we investigated, through a manipulative experiment, the behavior of endophyte-free and endophyte-associated Trifolium repens plants grown in soils previously conditioned by conspecific endophyte-free and endophyte-associated plants, inoculated or not by Rhizophagus intraradices. Furthermore, we identified microbial endophytes directly from the inner tissues of seeds by high-throughput sequencing, to compare seed fungal and bacterial endophyte composition. Results demonstrated that the outcome of simultaneous occurrence of seed endophytes and AMF on plant behavior depended on matching the endophytic status, i.e., either the presence or absence of seed microbial endophytes, of the conditioning and response phase. Seed fungal endophytes generated strong conspecific negative feedback, while seed bacterial endophytes proved to shift the feedback from negative to positive. Moreover, the simultaneous occurrence of both seed endophytes with AMF could either generate or expand negative plant-soil feedback effects. Our results show that seed and root symbionts can play a significant role on setting conspecific plant-soil feedback.

Plant-Fungal Interactions: A Case Study of Epicoccoum nigrum Link

Epicoccum nigrum Link is a cosmopolitan species, and it has been described as both an in vitro and in vivo antagonist of many fungal pathogens of plants. However, there are no clear reports about the interactions between E. nigrum and various plant species, and about the effects of culture filtrates produced by this fungus on plants. Therefore, we assessed the interactions between E. nigrum and different plant species, such as sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. vulgaris), spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), and winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). Additionally, we evaluated the effect of E. nigrum culture filtrates on garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.). Our study showed that the E. nigrum strains varied in terms of the color of excreted culture filtrates and showed different interactions with garden cress. Overall, fungal strains only affected adversely the sprout length in a significant way and, partially, the growth of the tested plant. In addition, we confirmed the suitability of the garden cress as a test plant in in vitro toxicological tests. Most strains of E. nigrum (61.1%) secreted enzymes expected to participate mainly in the later stages of the infection (amylases and proteases) and not those expected to operate in the early phases of host penetration (cellulases and pectinases) that were secreted by 33.3% of fungal strains. The group of pectinolytic enzymes represented the catalysts with the highest activity. Host specialization tests showed that E. nigrum was mainly re-isolated from the plant surface and the number of infected seedlings as well as the disease index depended on a studied plant species, with sugar beet and red clover being most sensitive to infection. In turn, the lowest value of the disease index caused by E. nigrum strains was recorded for spring wheat and winter oilseed rape. Overall, statistically significant differences in the growth of plant seedlings during the host specialization test were noted only for sugar beet and red clover seedlings. The seedlings of plants in the control group (without fungal inoculum) exhibited an increased length compared to those treated with E. nigrum inoculum. Our studies also showed that E. nigrum is probably a facultative saprotroph of plants and it may winter on red clover, which is presumably its main reservoirs, among the species considered.

Rare taxa maintain the stability of crop mycobiomes and ecosystem functions

Plants harbour highly diverse mycobiomes which sustain essential functions for host health and productivity. However, ecological processes that govern the plant-mycobiome assembly, interactions and their impact on ecosystem functions remain poorly known. Here we characterized the ecological role and community assembly of both abundant and rare fungal taxa along the soil-plant continuums (rhizosphere, phyllosphere and endosphere) in the maize-wheat/barley rotation system under different fertilization practices at two contrasting sites. Our results indicate that mycobiome assembly is shaped predominantly by compartment niche and host species rather than by environmental factors. Moreover, crop-associated fungal communities are dominated by few abundant taxa mainly belonging to Sordariomycetes and Dothideomycetes, while the majority of diversity within mycobiomes are represented by rare taxa. For plant compartments, the abundant sub-community is mainly determined by stochastic processes. In contrast, the rare sub-community is more sensitive to host selection and mainly governed by deterministic processes. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that rare taxa play an important role in fungal co-occurrence network and ecosystem functioning like crop yield and soil enzyme activities. These results significantly advance our understanding of crop mycobiome assembly and highlight the key role of rare taxa in sustaining the stability of crop mycobiomes and ecosystem functions.

Inhibition of plant pathogenic fungi by endophytic Trichoderma spp. through mycoparasitism and volatile organic compounds

Antagonism of plant pathogenic fungi by endophytic fungi is a well-known phenomenon. In plate assays, the antagonism could be due to mycoparasitism, competition for space or antibiosis, involving a chemical diffusate, or a volatile organic compound (VOC). In this study, we demonstrate that besides mycoparasitism, VOCs play a major role in antagonism of pathogenic fungi by four endophytic fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma. Using a double-plate assay, we show that all the four endophytic Trichoderma species significantly inhibited mycelial growth of three of the four pathogens, (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum-TSS, Sclerotium rolfsii-CSR and Fusarium oxysporum-CFO), while that of Macrophomina phaseolina-CMP was not affected. GC-MS analysis of the pure cultures of one of the endophytic fungi studied, namely, Trichoderma longibrachiatum strain 2 (Acc. No. MK751758) and the pathogens, F. oxysporum-CFO and M. phaseolina-CMP revealed the presence of several VOCs including hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, esters, acids, ethers and different classes of terpenes. In mixed double plates, where the endophyte was grown along with either of the two plant pathogens, F. oxysporum-CFO or M. phaseolina-CMP, there was an induction of a number of new VOCs that were not detected in the pure cultures of either the endophyte or the pathogens. Several of these new VOCs are reported to possess antifungal and cytotoxic activity. We discuss these results and highlight the importance of such interactions in endophyte-pathogen interactions.

Science and application of strigolactones

Strigolactones (SLs) represent a class of plant hormones that regulate developmental processes and play a role in the response of plants to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Both in planta hormonal roles and ex planta signalling effects of SLs are potentially interesting agricultural targets. In this review, we explore various aspects of SL function and highlight distinct areas of agriculture that may benefit from the use of synthetic SL analogues, and we identify possible bottlenecks. Our objective is to identify where the contributions of science and stakeholders are still needed to achieve harnessing the benefits of SLs for a sustainable agriculture of the near future.

Epicoccum nigrum Link as a Potential Biocontrol Agent Against Selected Dermatophytes

<em>Epicoccum nigrum </em>Link is well known for producing biologically-active substances with activities against prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The major goal of this study was to assess <em>E. nigrum </em>as a potential in vitro agent against selected species of dermatophytes. The effects of the types of media used in this study on the interactions between the microscopic fungi were also examined. <em>Epicoccum nigrum</em>’s bioactive metabolites exhibited a strong growth inhibitory effect against the dermatophytes, suggesting its potential as a biocontrol agent. Notably, the strength of these interactions was dependent on the type of the medium. These secondary metabolites are not toxic against the higher eukaryotic organisms, which was further demonstrated by using the <em>Galleria mellonella </em>model.

Soybean Fungal Endophytes Alternaria and Diaporthe spp. are Differentially Impacted by Fungicide Application

In field trials in Iowa, we investigated the association of a fungicide applied at early pod set to the diversity and composition of foliar endophytic fungi in presenescent soybeans. The main purpose of our study was to determine whether fungicides affect the microbiome of soybean plants during the pod-fill reproductive stage. In a replicated experiment focused on the impact of a fungicide application including a quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) and a pyrazole-carboxamide spanning two growing seasons, healthy stems and leaves near the tops of soybean were sampled for endophytic fungi. The survey yielded 1,791 isolates belonging to 17 putative species, identified by morphology and sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region. Taxa were grouped by genus into operational taxonomic units: Alternaria, Colletotrichum, and Diaporthe were the dominant genera isolated. Plant parts were analyzed separately using a multivariate community analysis of isolate counts per plant. The 14.3% fluxapyroxad and 28.6% pyraclostrobin fungicide spray significantly increased the proportion of Diaporthe isolates over no-spray controls, whereas the inverse occurred for foliar Alternaria isolates. In addition, seed harvested from fields with shorter-season varieties and sprayed with fungicide showed higher percentages of Diaporthe isolates than fields with no fungicide spray. In conclusion, soybean farmers may want to consider that the application of a QoI fungicide in the absence of disease pressure might adversely impact seed quality.

Different Age-Induced Changes in Rhizosphere Microbial Composition and Function of Panax ginseng in Transplantation Mode

Transplantation is a cultivation mode widely applied in perennial plant growing. This method might be an effective way to alleviate problems associated with continuous cultivation (4-6 years) in ginseng production, but the alleviating mechanism and effects on soil microbial community is unclear. To study this issue, non-transplanted 2-year-old, and 5-year-old (transplantation mode: 2 + 3) and 9-year-old (transplantation mode: 3 + 3 + 3) ginseng rhizosphere soils were analyzed via MiSeq sequencing. The results showed that 9-year-old ginseng rhizosphere soil had lower available nitrogen and the lowest pH, available phosphorus, observed species and community diversity and richness (Chao1, and ACE) among all samples (p < 0.05). The abundances of some bacterial classes (Thermoleophilia, Bacilli, and Nitrospira) and fungal genera (Mortierella, Epicoccum, and Penicillium spp.) and functional richness associated with nutrient element cycles and antifungal activity decreased, while abundances of some fungal genera (Ilyonectria, Tetracladium, and Leptodontidium spp.) increased with increasing age of ginseng plants (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). However, there was greater similarity between soil samples of 2-year-old and transplanted 5-year-old ginseng plants and the increase in cultivation time from 2 to 5 years did not significantly influence the microbial community, suggesting that transplantation is a viable strategy for suppressing soil-borne diseases in Panax ginseng plants over long growth periods.

Accessing the Life in Smoke: A New Application of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to Sample Wildland Fire Bioaerosol Emissions and Their Environment

Wildland fire is a major producer of aerosols from combustion of vegetation and soils, but little is known about the abundance and composition of smoke’s biological content. Bioaerosols, or aerosols derived from biological sources, may be a significant component of the aerosol load vectored in wildland fire smoke. If bioaerosols are injected into the upper troposphere via high-intensity wildland fires and transported across continents, there may be consequences for the ecosystems they reach. Such transport would also alter the concept of a wildfire’s perimeter and the disturbance domain of its impact. Recent research has revealed that viable microorganisms are directly aerosolized during biomass combustion, but sampling systems and methodology for quantifying this phenomenon are poorly developed. Using a series of prescribed fires in frequently burned forest ecosystems, we report the results of employing a small rotary-wing unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to concurrently sample aerosolized bacteria and fungi, particulate matter, and micrometeorology in smoke plumes versus background conditions. Airborne impaction-based bioaerosol sampling indicated that microbial composition differed between background air and smoke, with seven unique organisms in smoke vs. three in background air. The air temperature was negatively correlated with the number of fungal colony-forming units detected. Our results demonstrate the utility of a UAS-based sampling platform for active sampling of viable aerosolized microbes in smoke arising from wildland fires. This methodology can be extended to sample viable microbes in a wide variety of emissions sampling pursuits, especially those in hazardous and inaccessible environments.

Environmental interactions are regulated by temperature in Burkholderia seminalis TC3.4.2R3

Burkholderia seminalis strain TC3.4.2R3 is an endophytic bacterium isolated from sugarcane roots that produces antimicrobial compounds, facilitating its ability to act as a biocontrol agent against phytopathogenic bacteria. In this study, we investigated the thermoregulation of B. seminalis TC3.4.2R3 at 28 °C (environmental stimulus) and 37 °C (host-associated stimulus) at the transcriptional and phenotypic levels. The production of biofilms and exopolysaccharides such as capsular polysaccharides and the biocontrol of phytopathogenic fungi were enhanced at 28 °C. At 37 °C, several metabolic pathways were activated, particularly those implicated in energy production, stress responses and the biosynthesis of transporters. Motility, growth and virulence in the Galleria mellonella larvae infection model were more significant at 37 °C. Our data suggest that the regulation of capsule expression could be important in virulence against G. mellonella larvae at 37 °C. In contrast, B. seminalis TC3.4.2R3 failed to cause death in infected BALB/c mice, even at an infective dose of 10⁷ CFU.mL^-1. We conclude that temperature drives the regulation of gene expression in B. seminalis during its interactions with the environment.

Epicoccum layuense a potential biological control agent of esca-associated fungi in grapevine

Epicoccum is a genus of ascomycetes often associated with the mycobiome of grapevines (Vitis vinifera). Epicoccum spp. are found in the soil, phyllosphere, as well as in the wood, where they interact both with the plant and with other endophytes and pathogens. Wood pathogens involved in the esca disease complex, a grapevine trunk disease, are particularly concerning in viticulture, as current control strategies have proven unsatisfactory. This study investigated the interaction among Epicoccum spp. and three esca-associated fungi, with the aim of establishing whether they are suitable candidates for biological control.A screening conducted in vitro, by means of dual culture, revealed that all tested Epicoccum spp. inhibited the growth of pathogens Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Fomitiporia mediterranea, while only some of them inhibited Phaeoacremonium minimum. Epicoccum layuense E24, identified as the most efficient antagonist, was tested in rooted grapevine cuttings of cultivars Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga Nacional, under greenhouse conditions, against P. chlamydospora and P. minimum. This study revealed that the inoculation of E. layuense E24 produced a successful colonization of the wood of grapevines; in addition it did not impair the growth of the plants or induce the appearance of symptoms in leaves or in wood. Moreover, grapevines colonized by E. layuense E24 showed a considerable decrease in the wood symptomatology caused by the inoculated pathogens (by 31-82%, depending on the pathogen/grapevine cultivar), as well as a reduction in their frequency of re-isolation (60-74%).Our findings suggest that E. layuense E24 is a promising candidate for its application in biological control, due to its antagonistic interaction with some esca-associated fungal pathogens.

Morphological response to salinity, temperature, and pH changes by marine fungus Epicoccum nigrum

Epicoccum nigrum (strain LQRA39-P) was isolated from sediments collected in Chilean Patagonian fjords using microscopy and molecular techniques. We analyzed adaptive responses of cell wall morphology to salinity, temperature, and pH in order to explain the ability of E. nigrum to co-inhabit both marine and freshwater environments. For this purpose, E. nigrum was cultured in a series of media with variations in salinity (freshwater and seawater), pH (acidic, neutral, and basic), and temperature (5 to 25 °C). Changes were observed through transmission electron microscopy. A direct correlation between increased salinity and cell wall thickening (> 0.2 μm) was observed, along with a significant relationship between pH and the presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on the outside of the cell wall. The observed morphological changes could confirm that an ubiquitous fungus such as E. nigrum requires adaptive responses to co-inhabit freshwater, marine, and terrestrial substrates.

Fungal Endophytes Control Fusarium graminearum and Reduce Trichothecenes and Zearalenone in Maize

Fusarium graminearum can cause Giberella Ear Rot (GER) and seedling blight in maize, resulting in major yield losses. Besides GER, the infected grains are consequently contaminated with multiple mycotoxins of F. graminearum. Zearalenone and trichothecenes, such as deoxynivalenol and its acetylated forms, are among the major mycotoxins associated with F. graminearum infection in maize. In the current work, we explored the effect of the endophytic fungal genera of Epicoccum and Sordaria, to control F. graminearum infection in comparative trials with Piriformospora spp., an elusive endophytic genus. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of these endophytes on zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol levels using in vitro and in planta assays. As plants are endowed with several detoxification mechanisms comprising e.g., glucosylation of trichothecenes, the effect of the isolated fungal endophytes on the deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside level was also assessed. In general, results showed a considerable variability in the antifungal activity, both among species and among isolates within one species. Additionally, the effect on mycotoxin levels was variable, and not necessarily related to the antifungal activity except for zearalenone levels which were consistently reduced by the endophytes. These results highlight the great potential of certain endophytic fungal strains as new biocontrol agents in agricultural science.

The biotechnological potential of Epicoccum spp.: diversity of secondary metabolites

Epicoccum is a genus of ubiquitous fungi typically found in air, in soil, and on decaying vegetation. They also commonly display an endophytic lifestyle and are isolated from diverse plant tissues. The fungi from the genus Epicoccum are mainly known for their use as biocontrol agents against phytopathogens and for their ability to produce many secondary metabolites with potential biotechnological applications, such as antioxidant, anticancer,r and antimicrobial compounds. Among the bioactive compounds produced by Epicoccum spp., epicocconone is a commercially available fluorophore, D8646-2-6 is a patented telomerase inhibitor, and taxol is an anticancer drug originally isolated from Taxus brevifolia. Epicoccum spp. also produces epicolactone, an antimicrobial compound with a unique and complex structure that has aroused considerable interest in the chemical-synthesis community. The main goal of the present review is to discuss the diversity of secondary metabolites produced by Epicoccum spp., their biotechnological applications, and proposed hypothetical biosynthesis. In addition, the use of Epicoccum spp. as biocontrol agents and the pigments produced by these fungi are also discussed.

Elicitors Derived from Hazel (Corylus avellana L.) Cell Suspension Culture Enhance Growth and Paclitaxel Production of Epicoccum nigrum

The microbial fermentation is considered as the potential source for large-scale production of paclitaxel. Since co-cultivation/mixed fermentation strategy has been reported as a yield enhancement strategy for paclitaxel production, investigation of fungal endophyte response to plant culture medium, plant cell extract (CE) and medium filtrate (MF) of plant cell suspension culture in terms of growth and paclitaxel production is interesting. In this study, 35 endophytic fungi were isolated from Taxus baccata and Corylus avellana grown in Iran. The analysis of high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry showed that one isolate (YEF2) produced paclitaxel. The isolate YEF2 was identified as Epicoccum nigrum by sequencing of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region and actin gene. YEF2 was slow-growing in Murashige and Skoog medium, but the synergistic interaction of gibberellic acid (GA3) and CE of C. avellana enhanced the growth of YEF2. The highest total yield of paclitaxel (314.7 µg/l; 11.5-folds) of E. nigrum strain YEF2 was obtained by using 28% (v/v) filter sterilized CE of C. avellana and 2 µg ml-1 GA3 that was significantly higher than the control. In this study, the effects of the plant cell extract on growth and paclitaxel production of paclitaxel producing endophytic fungus were studied for the first time.

The Caryopsis of Red-Grained Rice Has Enhanced Resistance to Fungal Attack

Seed persistence in the soil is threatened by microorganisms, but the seed coat helps protect the seed from them. Although modern rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars have a whitish caryopsis, some varieties have a red caryopsis coat, a trait typical of wild Oryza species. The red colour is due to the oxidation of proanthocyanidins, a class of flavonoids that is found in the outer layers of the seed in many species. We aimed to assess whether these natural compounds (proanthocyanidins and proanthocyanidin-derived pigment) have some protective effect against microbial attacks. Dehulled caryopses of white-grained and red-grained rice genotypes were employed to assay fungal infection. Specifically, three white-grained rice cultivars (Perla, Augusto, and Koral) and three red-grained rice varieties (Perla Rosso, Augusto Rosso, and Koral Rosso) were used. In a first test, the caryopses were infected with Epicoccum nigrum at 10 °C, and seedling growth was then assessed at 30 °C. In a second test, the degree of infection by the mycotoxigenic fungus Fusarium sporotrichioides was assayed by measuring the accumulation of T-2/HT-2 toxins in the caryopses. Infection was performed at 10 °C to prevent rice germination while allowing fungal growth. In both the tests, red caryopses showed reduced, or delayed, infection with respect to white ones. One black-grained cultivar (Venere) was assayed for the accumulation of T-2/HT-2 toxins as well, with results corresponding to those of the red-grained rice varieties. We argue that the red pigment accumulating in the caryopsis coat, and/or the proanthocyanidins associated with it, provides a protective barrier against challenging microorganisms.

Fungal communities associated with species of Fraxinus tolerant to ash dieback, and their potential for biological control

Ash dieback, caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, has threatened ash trees in Europe for more than two decades. However, little is known of how endophytic communities affect the pathogen, and no effective disease management tools are available. While European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is severely affected by the disease, other more distantly related ash species do not seem to be affected. We hypothesise that fungal endophytic communities of tolerant ash species can protect the species against ash dieback, and that selected endophytes have potential as biocontrol agents. These hypotheses were tested by isolating members of the fungal communities of five tolerant ash species, and identifying them using ITS regions. Candidate endophytes were tested by an in vitro antagonistic assay with H.fraxineus. From a total of 196 isolates we identified 9 fungal orders, 15 families, and 40 species. Fungi in orders Pleosporales, such as Boeremia exigua and Diaporthe spp., and Hypocreales (e.g., Fusarium sp.), were recovered in most communities, suggesting they are common taxa. The in vitro antagonistic assay revealed five species with high antagonistic activity against H. fraxineus. These endophytes were identified based on ITS region as Sclerostagonospora sp., Setomelanomma holmii, Epicoccum nigrum, B. exigua and Fusarium sp. Three of these taxa have been described previously as antagonists of plant pathogenic microbes, and are of interest for future studies of their potential as biological control agents against ash dieback, especially for valuable ash trees in parks and urban areas.

Isolation of anticancer and antimicrobial metabolites from Epicoccum nigrum; endophyte of Ferula sumbul

Owing to the importance of endophytes, current research was aimed to purify the secondary metabolites from targeted source. Ferula sumbul, a lipophilic extract of the endophyte was prepared in 10% methanol and partitioned with ethyl acetate and bioassay guided isolation was carried using standard protocols against bacterial, fungal and cancer cells. The active fractions consisted of three new metabolites (2-methyl-3-nonyl prodiginine, Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and a meroterpenoid, Preaustinoid A). Their structures were confirmed with LCMS/MS. The purified metabolites showed valuable results against tested activities which concluded that these compounds have great potential and these may be applicable to textile (dyeing), pharmaceutical (drug, infectious agents) and food (preservatives) industries. This study reveals the potential of E. nigrum as an important source of bioactive compounds including 2-methyl-3-nonyl prodiginine, Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and Preaustinoid A. This is first report of isolation of prodiginines as well as meroterpenoid and Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate from Epicoccum nigrum.

Identification and Characterization of Pathogenic and Endophytic Fungal Species Associated with Pokkah Boeng Disease of Sugarcane

Pokkah Boeng is a serious disease of sugarcane, which can lead to devastating yield losses in crop-producing regions, including southern China. However, there is still uncertainty about the causal agent of the disease. Our aim was to isolate and characterize the pathogen through morphological, physiological, and molecular analyses. We isolated sugarcane-colonizing fungi in Fujian, China. Isolated fungi were first assessed for their cell wall degrading enzyme capabilities, and five isolates were identified for further analysis. Internal transcribed spacer sequencing revealed that these five strains are Fusarium, Alternaria, Phoma, Phomopsis, and Epicoccum. The Fusarium isolate was further identified as F. verticillioides after Calmodulin and EF-1α gene sequencing and microscopic morphology study. Pathogenicity assay confirmed that F. verticillioides was directly responsible for disease on sugarcane. Co-inoculation of F. verticillioides with other isolated fungi did not lead to a significant difference in disease severity, refuting the idea that other cellulolytic fungi can increase disease severity as an endophyte. This is the first report characterizing pathogenic F. verticillioides on sugarcane in southern China.