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Li X, Yi S, Chen L, Hafeez M, Zhang Z, Zhang J, Zhou S, Dong W, Huang J, Lu Y. The application of entomopathogenic nematode modified microbial communities within nesting mounds of the red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta. Sci Total Environ 2024; 912:168748. [PMID: 38008315 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic microorganisms (e.g., fungi, bacteria, nematodes) have been widely used in biological control of soil-dwelling pests, including the red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta, a notorious invasive pest worldwide. The application of large amounts of entomopathogenic microorganisms to soil may affect the indigenous soil microbial communities. However, reports about the effect of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) on soil microbial communities are very few. In this study, the effects of EPN on RIFA populations and microbial communities in mounds were investigated. Our results showed that the application of the EPN Steinernema carpocapsae. All strain on mounds efficaciously suppressed RIFA worker populations, without forming significantly more satellite mounds compared with the control treatment. The application of EPN did not impact the bacterial and fungal diversity in soils derived from the RIFA mounds. However, it slightly altered the taxonomic make-up of the bacterial communities, but significantly altered the taxonomic composition of fungal communities at the phylum, family, and genus levels. The abundances of some beneficial bacteria and fungi, such as Streptomyces, decreased, while those of plant and animal pathogenic bacteria and fungi, dramatically increased, after EPN treatment. On the other hand, the abundances of some entomopathogenic fungi, such as Fusicolla, Clonostachys, and Mortierella, increased. Redundancy analysis or canonical correspondence analysis revealed a positive correlation between the efficacious EPN control and the presence of the insect-resistant bacteria, Sinomonas, as well as entomopathogenic fungi Fusicolla and Mortierella. This suggests that the interactions between EPN and entomopathogenic fungi may play a role in the biological control of RIFA. Our discoveries shed light on the interactions among EPN, RIFA, and soil microbial communities, and emphasize a possible mutualistic relationship between EPN and entomopathogenic fungi in the biological control of RIFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Songwang Yi
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Limin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Muhammad Hafeez
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Zhijun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Jinming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Shuxing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Wanying Dong
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Jun Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China.
| | - Yaobin Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; Institute of Bio-Interaction, Xianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou 311258, China.
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Rahong P, Techakijvej C, Phalaraksh C. Predators as biocontrol agents of mosquito larvae in small and large habitats in Chiang Mai, Thailand. J Vector Ecol 2023; 48:78-88. [PMID: 37843450 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-48.2.78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Controlling mosquito-borne disease is a major global challenge due to the rise of insecticide-resistant mosquitoes. In response, we conducted a study in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, which is one of the largest and the most popular cities for tourists in Southeast Asia, to explore the potential of local species as biological control agents for mosquito larvae. Mosquito larvae and aquatic predators were sampled from large and small habitats, while relevant physico-chemical parameters were measured. The study identified 560 predators and 1,572 mosquitoes, with most mosquito species belonging to the genus Culex. Additionally, the study identified 16 predator taxa, including four fish taxa and 12 taxa of predatory aquatic insects belonging to four orders: Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Odonata, and Diptera. The study found that several locally occurring predator species, namely Poecillia, Laccophilus, Lutzia, Toxorhynchites splendens, Agrionoptera, and Pseudarion, shared habitats with mosquitoes, indicating their potential as effective biological control agents for mosquito control. Conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH were the important physico-chemical parameters that affect both predators and mosquito larvae. Consequently, promoting native predators and reducing mosquito larvae through habitat management would be a sustainable and ecologically friendly approach in large habitats where it is not possible to remove mosquito oviposition sites. In smaller habitats, releasing local aquatic predators and removing oviposition sites may be a suitable strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panida Rahong
- Environmental Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Chotiwut Techakijvej
- Environmental Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Chitchol Phalaraksh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand,
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Bhat AH, Machado RAR, Abolafia J, Ruiz-Cuenca AN, Askary TH, Ameen F, Dass WM. Taxonomic and molecular characterization of a new entomopathogenic nematode species, Heterorhabditis casmirica n. sp., and whole genome sequencing of its associated bacterial symbiont. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:383. [PMID: 37880744 PMCID: PMC10598981 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05990-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nematodes of the genus Heterorhabditis are important biocontrol agents as they form a lethal combination with their symbiotic Photorhabdus bacteria against agricultural insect pests. This study describes a new species of Heterorhabditis. METHODS Six Heterorhabditis nematode populations were recovered from agricultural soils in Jammu and Kashmir, India. An initial examination using mitochondrial and nuclear genes showed that they belong to a new species. To describe this new species, a variety of analyses were conducted, including reconstructing phylogenetic relationships based on multiple genes, characterizing the nematodes at the morphological and morphometric levels, performing self-crossing and cross-hybridization experiments, and isolating and characterizing their symbiotic bacteria. RESULTS The newly discovered species, Heterorhabditis casmirica n. sp., shares 94% mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene (COI) sequence identity with Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Heterorhabditis ruandica, and 93% with Heterorhabditis zacatecana. Morphologically, it differs from H. bacteriophora in its infective juvenile phasmids (present vs. inconspicuous) and bacterial pouch visibility in the ventricular portion of the intestine (invisible vs. visible); genital papilla 1 (GP1) position (at manubrium level vs. more anterior), and in its b ratio (body length/neck length), c ratio (tail length/bulb width), and D% [(excretory pore/neck length) × 100]. Other morphological differences include anterior end to the nerve ring distance (77-100 vs. 121-130 μm), V% [(anterior end of vulva/body length) × 100] (46-57 vs. 41-47) in hermaphroditic females; rectum size (slightly longer than the anal body diameter vs. about three times longer), phasmids (smaller vs. inconspicuous), body length (0.13-2.0 vs. 0.32-0.39 mm), body diameter (73-150 vs. 160-220 μm), anterior end to the excretory pore distance (135-157 vs. 174-214 μm), and demanian ratios in amphimictic females. Morphological differences with H. ruandica and H. zacatecana were also observed. Furthermore, H. casmirica n. sp. did not mate or produce fertile progeny with other Heterorhabditis nematodes reported from India. It was also discovered that H. casmirica n. sp. is associated with Photorhabdus luminescence subsp. clarkei symbiotic bacteria. CONCLUSIONS The discovery of H. casmirica n. sp. provides novel insights into the diversity and evolution of Heterorhabditis nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria. This new species adds to the catalog of entomopathogenic nematodes in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aashaq Hussain Bhat
- Department of Biosciences, University Center for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, 140413, India.
- Experimental Biology Research Group, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, 2000, Switzerland.
| | - Ricardo A R Machado
- Experimental Biology Research Group, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, 2000, Switzerland
| | - Joaquín Abolafia
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Jaén, Campus 'Las Lagunillas', Jaén, 23071, Spain
| | - Alba N Ruiz-Cuenca
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Jaén, Campus 'Las Lagunillas', Jaén, 23071, Spain
| | - Tarique Hassan Askary
- Division of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Campus, Sopore, 193201, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Fuad Ameen
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wasim Muzamil Dass
- Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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Yang T, Wu Z, Li L, Jiang M, Fang X, Huang W, Zhou Y. Identification and analysis of toxins in novel Bacillus thuringiensis strain Bt S3076-1 against Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa armigera (Lep.: Noctuidae). Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:168. [PMID: 37017772 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03490-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the successful application of toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis as biological control agents against pests, pests are showing resistance against an increasing number of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins due to evolution; thus, new toxins with higher toxicity and broad-spectrum activity against insects are being increasingly identified. To find new toxins, whole genome sequencing of the novel B. thuringiensis strain Bt S3076-1 was performed, and ten predicted toxic genes were identified in this study, including six cry genes, two tpp genes, one cyt gene and one vip gene, among which six were novel toxins. Subsequently, SDS‒PAGE analysis showed that the major proteins at the spore maturation stage were approximately 120 kDa, 70 kDa, 67 kDa, 60 kDa and 40 kDa, while active proteins after trypsin digestion (approximately 70 kDa and 40 kDa) exhibited LC50 values of 149.64 μg/g and 441.47 μg/g against Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa armigera larvae, respectively. Furthermore, pathological observation results showed that the peritrophic membrane of Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa armigera larvae was degraded. These findings will provide an experimental reference for further research on the insecticidal activity, toxicity spectrum and synergism of these toxins in Bt S3076-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbao Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Polysaccharide Materials and Modifications, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning, 530008, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongqi Wu
- Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Liuping Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Polysaccharide Materials and Modifications, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning, 530008, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingguo Jiang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Polysaccharide Materials and Modifications, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning, 530008, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuanjun Fang
- Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenshan Huang
- Guangxi Lvyounong Biological Technology Co., Ltd, Nanning, 537100, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Polysaccharide Materials and Modifications, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning, 530008, People's Republic of China.
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Zhang H, Tong Y, Liu H, Guo L, Jin W, Li X, Meng Q, Yu X, Fang F, Qin Q, Yang M. Establishment of a rapid detection method for plutella xylostella granulovirus based on qPCR. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15170. [PMID: 37095984 PMCID: PMC10122022 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Plutella xylostella granulovirus (PlxyGV) biopesticide is an effective tool to control the long-term damage of Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) to cruciferous vegetables. In China, PlxyGV can be produced on a large scale using host insects, and its products have been registered in 2008. In experiments and biopesticide production, the routine enumeration method of PlxyGV virus particles is to use the Petroff-Hausser counting chamber in dark field microscope. However, the accuracy and repeatability of granulovirus (GV) counting are affected due to the small particle size of GV occlusion bodies (OBs), the limitations of optical microscope, the judgment of different operators, host impurities, the addition of biological products. This limits the convenience of its production, product quality, trading and field application. Here we use PlxyGV as an example, the method based on Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) was optimized from two aspects of sample treatment and specific primers design, which improved the repeatability and accuracy of absolute quantitative OBs of GV. This study provides basic information for accurate quantitative PlxyGV by qPCR method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Corresponding author. State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beichenxilu 1-5, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Yan Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huifang Liu
- Hebei Professional College of Political Science and Law, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenyi Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xupeng Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fenfen Fang
- Henan Jiyuan Baiyun Industrial Co. LTD, Jiyuan, China
| | - Qilian Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Miaomiao Yang
- School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Shaanxi Preschool Normal University, Xian, China
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Cardoni M, Fernández-González AJ, Valverde-Corredor A, Fernández-López M, Mercado-Blanco J. Co-occurrence network analysis unveils the actual differential impact on the olive root microbiota by two Verticillium wilt biocontrol rhizobacteria. Environ Microbiome 2023; 18:21. [PMID: 36949520 PMCID: PMC10035242 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-023-00480-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Verticillium wilt of olive (VWO), caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb, is one of the most threatening diseases affecting olive cultivation. An integrated disease management strategy is recommended for the effective control of VWO. Within this framework, the use of biological control agents (BCAs) is a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach. No studies are available on the impact that the introduction of BCAs has on the resident microbiota of olive roots. Pseudomonas simiae PICF7 and Paenibacillus polymyxa PIC73 are two BCAs effective against VWO. We examined the effects of the introduction of these BCAs on the structure, composition and co-occurrence networks of the olive (cv. Picual) root-associated microbial communities. The consequences of the subsequent inoculation with V. dahliae on BCA-treated plants were also assessed. RESULTS Inoculation with any of the BCAs did not produce significant changes in the structure or the taxonomic composition of the 'Picual' root-associated microbiota. However, significant and distinctive alterations were observed in the topologies of the co-occurrence networks. The introduction of PIC73 provoked a diminution of positive interactions within the 'Picual' microbial community; instead, PICF7 inoculation increased the microbiota's compartmentalization. Upon pathogen inoculation, the network of PIC73-treated plants decreased the number of interactions and showed a switch of keystone species, including taxa belonging to minor abundant phyla (Chloroflexi and Planctomycetes). Conversely, the inoculation of V. dahliae in PICF7-treated plants significantly increased the complexity of the network and the number of links among their modules, suggestive of a more stable network. No changes in their keystone taxa were detected. CONCLUSION The absence of significant modifications on the structure and composition of the 'Picual' belowground microbiota due to the introduction of the tested BCAs underlines the low/null environmental impact of these rhizobacteria. These findings may have important practical consequences regarding future field applications of these BCAs. Furthermore, each BCA altered the interactions among the components of the olive belowground microbiota in idiosyncratic ways (i.e. PIC73 strongly modified the number of positive relations in the 'Picual' microbiota whereas PICF7 mostly affected the network stability). These modifications may provide clues on the biocontrol strategies used by these BCAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Cardoni
- Departamento de Protección de Cultivos, Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [CSIC], Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Valverde-Corredor
- Departamento de Protección de Cultivos, Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [CSIC], Córdoba, Spain
| | - Manuel Fernández-López
- Departamento de Microbiología del Suelo y la Planta, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Granada, Spain
| | - Jesús Mercado-Blanco
- Departamento de Protección de Cultivos, Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [CSIC], Córdoba, Spain.
- Departamento de Microbiología del Suelo y la Planta, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Granada, Spain.
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Vecchi MOM, Ramos RAN, Bitencourth K, Vecchi MB, Alves MAS. First record of the parasitoid wasp Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) infesting the tick Amblyomma nodosum (Acari: Ixodidae). Parasitol Res 2023; 122:1255-1259. [PMID: 36922409 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07813-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Ticks (Ixodida) are ecologically important ectoparasites that may impact human health and economic activities. Parasitoid wasps are natural enemies of ticks and a potential option for its biological control. In the present study, we recorded parasitism of the nymphs of the tick Amblyomma nodosum by the parasitoid wasp Ixodiphagus hookeri. The ticks, in turn, were parasitizing white-bearded manakins, Manacus manacus (Passeriformes: Pipridae) in the União Biological Reserve, one of the last major remnants of lowland rainforest in Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil. During the collection of ectoparasites from two manakins in this reserve, 20-30 parasitoid wasps hatched spontaneously from two of the ticks collected. The species of the tick nymphs and adult wasps were identified using morphological traits and molecular analyses. This record is the first documented case of I. hookeri parasitizing A. nodosum and the first time that parasitoid wasps have been found in ticks parasitizing birds in Brazil. This is also the first record of Ixodiphagus from southeastern Brazil in more than a century, with the only other record dating back to 1914. The record presented here provides valuable new information on the biology of this tick and its parasitoids, and new insights into this interspecific interaction. Further research on these vertebrate-tick-wasp interactions will be necessary to better understand the respective roles of the organisms involved in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah O M Vecchi
- Department of Ecology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratory of Ticks and Other Apterous Arthropods, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Karla Bitencourth
- Laboratory of Ticks and Other Apterous Arthropods, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maurício B Vecchi
- Department of Ecology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Alice S Alves
- Department of Ecology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Sanchez M, Ferro E, Cortese P. Risk assessment procedures in Argentina for the safe import, quarantine and release of biological control agents against pests. REV SCI TECH OIE 2022; 41:165-169. [PMID: 35925626 DOI: 10.20506/rst.41.1.3313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The decision to import and release biological control agents is a national one that may involve various authorities. It will be overseen by the national plant protection organisation that implements the responsibilities described in the International Plant Protection Convention. This article provides an overview of the decision processes and roles of these authorities in Argentina. Argentina has a long history of coordination with the other Southern Cone nations on plant protection and other technical sanitary and phytosanitary matters associated with trade. This article reports on 25 years of evaluation, import and release of exotic biological control agents. Not a single import with a permit has faced rejection on the basis of phytosanitary requirements. This record highlights the region's commitment to integrated pest management approaches that rely on international shipments of live insects and other beneficial organisms.
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Fournier B, Pereira Dos Santos S, Gustavsen JA, Imfeld G, Lamy F, Mitchell EAD, Mota M, Noll D, Planchamp C, Heger TJ. Impact of a synthetic fungicide (fosetyl-Al and propamocarb-hydrochloride) and a biopesticide (Clonostachys rosea) on soil bacterial, fungal, and protist communities. Sci Total Environ 2020; 738:139635. [PMID: 32534282 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The use of synthetic pesticides in agriculture is increasingly debated. However, few studies have compared the impact of synthetic pesticides and alternative biopesticides on non-target soil microorganisms playing a central role in soil functioning. We conducted a mesocosm experiment and used high-throughput amplicon sequencing to test the impact of a fungal biopesticide and a synthetic fungicide on the diversity, the taxonomic and functional compositions, and co-occurrence patterns of soil bacterial, fungal and protist communities. Neither the synthetic pesticide nor the biopesticide had a significant effect on microbial α-diversity. However, both types of pesticides decreased the complexity of the soil microbial network. The two pesticides had contrasting impacts on the composition of microbial communities and the identity of key taxa as revealed by microbial network analyses. The biopesticide impacted keystone taxa that structured the soil microbial network. The synthetic pesticide modified biotic interactions favouring taxa that are less efficient at degrading organic compounds. This suggests that the biopesticides and the synthetic pesticide have different impact on soil functioning. Altogether, our study shows that pest management products may have functionally significant impacts on the soil microbiome even if microbial α-diversity is unaffected. It also illustrates the potential of high-throughput sequencing analyses to improve the ecotoxicological risk assessment of pesticides on non-target soil microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertrand Fournier
- Soil Science and Environment Group, CHANGINS, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Route de Duillier 50, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland; Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Sofia Pereira Dos Santos
- Soil Science and Environment Group, CHANGINS, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Route de Duillier 50, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland.
| | | | - Gwenaël Imfeld
- Université de Strasbourg, Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg (LHyGeS), UMR 7517 CNRS/EOST, 1 Rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France.
| | - Frédéric Lamy
- Soil Science and Environment Group, CHANGINS, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Route de Duillier 50, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland.
| | - Edward A D Mitchell
- Laboratory of Soil Biodiversity, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland; Jardin Botanique de Neuchâtel, Chemin du Pertuis-du-Sault 58, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - Matteo Mota
- Soil Science and Environment Group, CHANGINS, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Route de Duillier 50, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland.
| | - Dorothea Noll
- Soil Science and Environment Group, CHANGINS, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Route de Duillier 50, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland.
| | - Chantal Planchamp
- Soil and Biotechnology Division, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), 3003 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Thierry J Heger
- Soil Science and Environment Group, CHANGINS, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Route de Duillier 50, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland.
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Castellá G, Bragulat MR, Cigliano RA, Cabañes FJ. Transcriptome analysis of non-ochratoxigenic Aspergillus carbonarius strains and interactions between some black aspergilli species. Int J Food Microbiol 2019; 317:108498. [PMID: 31918247 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2019.108498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus carbonarius consistently produces large amounts of ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin with nephrotoxic effects on animals and humans. In the present study, we analyzed the transcriptional changes associated to OTA production in three atypical non-ochratoxigenic strains of A. carbonarius. In addition, in vitro interactions between ochratoxigenic strains of A. carbonarius and A. niger and non-ochratoxigenic strains of A. carbonarius and A. tubingensis were studied in order to evaluate their potential for controlling OTA production. RNA-seq analysis revealed that there are 696 differentially expressed genes identified in the three non-OTA-producing strains, including 280 up-regulated and 333 down-regulated genes. A functional and gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that the processes related to metabolic and oxidation processes, associated with functions such as oxidoreductase and hydrolase activity were down regulated. All the genes related with OTA biosynthesis in A. carbonarius were the most down-regulated genes in non-ochratoxigenic strains. We also showed that these strains possess a deleterious mutation in the AcOTApks gene required for OTA biosynthesis. Moreover, one of these strains gave the best control of OTA production resulting in an OTA reduction of 98-100% in co-inoculation with an ochratoxigenic strain of A. niger and an OTA reduction of 79-89% with an ochratoxigenic strain of A. carbonarius. Results of this study provided novel insights into the knowledge of the OTA biosynthetic pathway in these non-ochratoxigenic wild strains, and showed the biocontrol potential of these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Castellá
- Veterinary Mycology Group, Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
| | - M Rosa Bragulat
- Veterinary Mycology Group, Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - F Javier Cabañes
- Veterinary Mycology Group, Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain.
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11
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Xiao Y, Liu X, Meng D, Tao J, Gu Y, Yin H, Li J. The role of soil bacterial community during winter fallow period in the incidence of tobacco bacterial wilt disease. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:2399-2412. [PMID: 29368216 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8757-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, occurs occasionally during tobacco planting and potentially brings huge economic losses in affected areas. Soil microbes in different management stages play important roles in influencing bacterial wilt incidence. Studies have focused on the impacts of species diversity and composition during cropping periods on disease morbidity; however, the effects of the soil bacterial biomass, species diversity, species succession, and population interactions on morbidity remain unclear during non-cropping periods. In this study, we explored the soil bacterial communities in the non-cropping winter fallow (WF) and cropping late growing (LG) periods under consecutive monoculture systems using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and qPCR and further analyzed their effects on tobacco bacterial wilt incidence. We found that the bacterial communities in the WF period were significantly different from those in the LG period based on detrended correspondence analysis and dissimilarity tests. Crop morbidity was significantly related to bacterial community structure and to the presence of some genera during WF and LG periods. These genera, such as Arthrobacter, Pseudomonas, Acidobacteria GP6, and Pasteuria, may be potential biological control agents for bacterial wilt. Further analysis indicated that low soil bacterial diversity during the WF period, decrease of bacterial interactions from the WF to LG periods, and low soil biomass during the LG period all have the potential to increase morbidity. In conclusion, an increase of soil bacterial diversity and control of some bacterial abundances in the WF period might be an effective approach in controlling bacterial wilt incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhua Xiao
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology and College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Xueduan Liu
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Delong Meng
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Jiemeng Tao
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Yabing Gu
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Huaqun Yin
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China.
| | - Juan Li
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology and College of Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China.
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12
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Kim SH, Vujanovic V. Relationship between mycoparasites lifestyles and biocontrol behaviors against Fusarium spp. and mycotoxins production. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:5257-72. [PMID: 27121573 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7539-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Global food security research is seeking eco-friendly solutions to control mycotoxins in grain infected by fungi (molds). In particular, mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp. outbreak is a chronic threat for cereal grain production, human, and animal health. In this review paper, we discuss up-to-date biological control strategies in applying mycoparasites as biological control agents (BCA) to prevent plant diseases in crops and mycotoxins in grain, food, and feed. The aim is to increase food safety and to minimize economic losses due to the reduced grain yield and quality. However, recent papers indicate that the study of the BCA specialists with biotrophic lifestyle lags behind our understanding of the BCA generalists with necrotrophic lifestyle. We examine critical behavioral traits of the two BCA groups of mycoparasites. The goal is to highlight their major characteristics in the context of future research towards an efficient biocontrol strategy against mycotoxin-producing Fusarium species. The emphasis is put on biocontrol of Fusarium graminearum, F. avenaceum, and F. culmorum causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) in cereals and their mycotoxins.
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