Four endoparasitic nematode destroying fungi isolated from Sand Ridge State Forest soil

A survey to determine the endoparasitic nematode destroying fungi located within Sand Ridge State Forest of Illinois was conducted from 1 January to 3 April 1973. A total of seven nematode destroying fungal species were isolated from the collected soil samples. Harposporium helicoides, H. crassum, H. lilliputanum are endoparasitic nematophagous fungi that have been isolated previously from the forest soil. Acrostalagmus gonoides, A. obovatus, Cephalosporium balanoides, and Monacrosporium cionopagum are nematophagous fungal species that had not been isolated previously from Illinois soil. Soil pH's and soil nutrient levels were not important in the isolation frequency of the collected endoparasitic nematode destroying fungi.     

小蓬竹根际土壤微生物及内生真菌多样性分析

为了解喀斯特典型物种-小蓬竹根际土壤微生物及不同部位内生真菌多样性,采用沿等高线等距离取样法采集小蓬竹根际土壤及健康植株,通过可培养对根际土微生物及内生菌进行分离,利用分子技术对其进行鉴定,根据鉴定结果构建系统发育树,并计算小蓬竹根际土壤微生物和根茎叶内生真菌多样性。结果如下：（1）共从根际土壤、根、茎、叶分离得到139个真菌菌株,隶属于27属,其中根际土壤分离得到34个真菌菌株隶属于12属,根部分离得到的63个内生真菌菌株隶属于17个属,茎部分离得到的14个内生真菌菌株隶属于8个属,叶部分离得到28个内生真菌菌株隶属于9个属;（2）根际土壤共分离得到41株细菌菌株,隶属于7个属26个种,20株放线菌菌株,隶属于1属15种;从Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、均匀度指数、Simpson指数排序来看,真菌主要表现为根 > 根际土壤 > 茎 > 叶,细菌和放线菌多样性均较低。（3）按层次聚类分析可分别将真菌、细菌、放线菌聚为3支。小蓬竹根际土壤、根、茎和叶具有丰富的微生物多样性,不同部位菌群组成存在差异性（P<0.05）,且存在以假单胞菌属、芽孢杆菌属等为优势属的抗盐耐旱菌群,这有助于揭示小蓬竹对喀斯特生境的适应性,以及为微生物-植物群落之间相互关系提供一定基础数据,为后期寻找小蓬竹相关耐性功能菌奠定基础。     

辽宁碱蓬根际土壤真菌多样性的季节变化及其耐盐性

采用稀释平板法和形态学鉴定法进行了辽宁碱蓬(Suaeda liaotungensis)根际土壤真菌的分离鉴定及季节、盐度对真菌多样性的影响分析。结果表明:春、夏、秋、冬四季辽宁碱蓬根际土壤中的真菌菌落数分别为6410、4180、5730和3340,种类分别为6属13种、9属16种、11属31种、6属12种,共分离鉴定出13属42种真菌;其根际土壤真菌的多样性指数、丰富度指数和均匀度指数,从大到小的次序均为秋夏春冬,3种指数均在秋季达到峰值;多样性指数和丰富度指数差异较大,均匀度指数波动较小,春季和冬季的均匀度指数相近。辽宁碱蓬根际土壤真菌种类明显多于无植被土壤,是无植被土壤的7倍,多样性指数和均匀度指数分别是无植被土壤的4—8倍和1—1.2倍;其根际土壤真菌优势种群包括青霉属(Penicillium)、葡萄穗霉属(Stachybotrys)、枝孢属(Cladosporium)、木霉属(Trichoderma)、曲霉属(Aspergillus)和镰孢属(Fusarium);4个季节的优势菌不尽相同,但均有一个共同的优势菌属青霉属。以Na Cl浓度梯度法制造盐胁迫生境,检测辽宁碱蓬根际土壤真菌对盐胁迫的响应,结果表明:60%左右的菌种能耐受5%以下盐度、15%左右的菌种能耐10%—20%盐度;筛选出了6株高度耐盐菌:细交链孢霉、草酸青霉、产黄青霉、烟曲霉、细极链格孢和赭曲霉,其中最高耐盐菌种赭曲霉可耐20%盐度。创新之处在于以盐度和季节为变量检测辽宁碱蓬根际土壤真菌的种群构成,为其深入研究奠定了理论基础。     

Impact of Ectomycorrhizosphere on the Functional Diversity of Soil Bacterial and Fungal Communities from a Forest Stand in Relation to Nutrient Mobilization Processes

The ectomycorrhizal symbiosis alters the physicochemical and biological conditions in the surrounding soil, thus creating a particular environment called ectomycorrhizosphere, which selects microbial communities suspected to play a role in gross production and nutrient cycling. To assess the ectomycorrhizosphere effect on the structure of microbial communities potentially involved in the mobilization of nutrients from the soil minerals in a poor-nutrient environment, we compared the functional diversity of soil and ectomycorrhizosphere bacterial communities in a forest stand. Two hundred and sixty-four bacterial strains and 107 fungal strains were isolated from the bulk soil of an oak (Quercus petraea) stand and from oak–Scleroderma citrinum ectomycorrhizosphere and ectomycorrhizae, in two soil organo-mineral horizons (0 to 3 cm and 5 to 10 cm). They were characterized using two in vitro tests related to their capacities to mobilize iron and phosphorus. We demonstrated that the oak–S. citrinum ectomycorrhizosphere significantly structures the culturable bacterial communities in the two soil horizons by selecting very efficient strains for phosphorus and iron mobilization. This effect was also observed on the diversity of the phosphate-solubilizing fungal communities in the lower soil horizon. A previous study already demonstrated that Laccaria bicolor–Douglas fir ectomycorrhizosphere structures the functional diversity of Pseudomonas fluorescens population in a forest nursery soil. Comparing to it, our work highlights the consistency of the mycorrhizosphere effect on the functional diversity of bacterial and fungal communities in relation to the mineral weathering process, no matter the fungal symbiont, the age and species of the host tree, or the environment (nursery vs forest). We also demonstrated that the intensity of phosphorus and iron mobilization by the ectomycorrhizosphere bacteria isolated from the lower soil horizon was significantly higher compared to that which was isolated from the upper horizon. This reveals for the first time a stratification of the functional diversity of the culturable soil bacterial communities as related to phosphorus and iron mobilization.     

Studies on soil fungi III. Seasonal variation and distribution of microfungi in some soils of Andhra Pradesh (India)

The seasonal variation and distribution of microfungi in four soil types collected from two districts of Andhra Pradesh (India) were studied.Besides soil type and surface vegetation, it appears from the present study that soil moisture, organic matter, potassium, calcium, iron and phosphorus contents also may affect the fungal numbers favourably, while chlorides, total soluble salts, total nitrogen and manganese contents may have an adverse effect.Even alkaline soils harbour greater numbers of fungi, but small fluctuations in the pH seem to influence the fungal numbers in soils inversely.A total of 101 species representing 43 genera were isolated. These included 18 Phycomycetes, 5 Ascomycetes, 72 Fungi Imperfecti, 5 Mycelia Sterilia and a single Myxomycete. The order of occurrence of the chief genera of fungi isolated wasAspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Pythium, Curvularia, Phoma, Cunninghamella, Rhizopus, Alternaria andTrichoderma.A large number of genera and species were found common to the forest, maize field, garden and uncultivated soils; and the fungal flora was also not very much different from those recorded from various parts of the world.     

Influence of edaphic and climatic factors on dynamics of root colonization and spore density of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Acacia farnesiana Willd. and A. planifrons W.et.A.

 A study was conducted to assess the dynamics of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi associated with Acacia farnesiana and A. planifrons in moderately fertile alkaline soils. The intensity of root colonization by VAM fungi and the distribution of VAM fungal structures varied with host species over a period of time. The occurrence of vesicles with varied morphology in the mycorrhizal roots indicates infection by different VAM fungal species. This was further confirmed from the presence of spores belonging to different VAM fungal species in the rhizosphere soils. Root colonization and spore number ranged from 56% – 72% and 5 – 14 g^{–  1}soil in A. farnesiana and from 60% – 73% and 5 – 15 g^{–  1} soil in A. planifrons. Per cent root colonization and VAM spore number in the rhizosphere soil were inversely related to each other in both the Acacia species. However, patterns of the occurrence of VAM fungal structures were erratic. Spores of Acaulospora foveata, Gigaspora albida, Glomus fasciculatum, G. geosporum and Sclerocystis sinuosa were isolated from the rhizosphere of A. farnesiana whereas A. scrobiculata, G. pustulatum, G. fasciculatum, G. geosporum and G. microcarpum were isolated from that of A. planifrons. The response of VAM status to fluctuating edaphic factors varied with host species. In A. farnesiana though soil nitrogen (N) was positively correlated with root colonization, soil moisture, potassium and air temperature were negatively correlated to both root colonization and spore number. Per cent root colonization and spore number in A. planifrons were negatively related to each other. Further, in A. planifrons as the soil phosphorus and N were negatively correlated with the density of VAM fungal spores, the same edaphic factors along with soil moisture negatively influenced root colonization. Received: 16 May 1995 / Accepted: 7 February 1996     

Soil mycoflora from trufflè native areas of Saudi Arabia

Soil fungi of areas in the North-Eastern region of Saudi Arabia where truffles are native were surveyed. Forty-three species of fungi belonging to twenty genera were isolated. Most were recovered from soils underneath or around truffle ascocarps: thirty species from soil under the surface of Tirmania nivea ascocarps, twenty-four from Terfezia boudieri soil and twenty species each from Tirmania pinoyi and Terfezia claveryi soils. Rhizosphere soil of Helianthemum lippi, on the other hand, yielded twenty-four fungal species while only fourteen fungal species were found in soil without vegetation. The total counts of fungi/g soil were highest in soils from the under surface of truffles, followed by rhizosphere soil, with the lowest in soils without vegetation.     

Establishment of ectomycorrhizal fungal community on isolated Nothofagus cunninghamii seedlings regenerating on dead wood in Australian wet temperate forests: does fruit-body type matter?

Decaying wood provides an important habitat for animals and forms a seed bed for many shade-intolerant, small-seeded plants, particularly Nothofagus. Using morphotyping and rDNA sequence analysis, we compared the ectomycorrhizal fungal community of isolated N. cunninghamii seedlings regenerating in decayed wood against that of mature tree roots in the forest floor soil. The /cortinarius, /russula-lactarius, and /laccaria were the most species-rich and abundant lineages in forest floor soil in Australian sites at Yarra, Victoria and Warra, Tasmania. On root tips of seedlings in dead wood, a subset of the forest floor taxa were prevalent among them species of /laccaria, /tomentella-thelephora, and /descolea, but other forest floor dominants were rare. Statistical analyses suggested that the fungal community differs between forest floor soil and dead wood at the level of both species and phylogenetic lineage. The fungal species colonizing isolated seedlings on decayed wood in austral forests were taxonomically dissimilar to the species dominating in similar habitats in Europe. We conclude that formation of a resupinate fruit body type on the underside of decayed wood is not necessarily related to preferential root colonization in decayed wood. Rather, biogeographic factors as well as differential dispersal and competitive abilities of fungal taxa are likely to play a key role in structuring the ectomycorrhizal fungal community on isolated seedlings in decaying wood.     

Arbuscular mycorrhiza of Arnica montana under field conditions—conventional and molecular studies

Two distinct populations of Arnica montana, an endangered medicinal plant, were studied under field conditions. The material was investigated using microscopic and molecular methods. The analyzed plants were always found to be mycorrhizal. Nineteen arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal DNA sequences were obtained from the roots. They were related to Glomus Group A, but most did not match any known species. Some showed a degree of similarity to fungi colonizing liverworts. Conventional analysis of spores isolated from soil samples allowed to identify different fungal taxa: Glomus macrocarpum, Glomus mosseae, Acaulospora lacunosa, and Scutellospora dipurpurescens. Their spores were also isolated from trap cultures.     

Ovine III-thrift in Nova Scotia. 7. Trichoderma hamatum isolated from pasture soil

Trichoderma hamatum accounts for about 1.5% of the fungal propagules isolated from pasture soil at Nappan, Nova Scotia. Greater numbers of propagules of this fungus were isolated in June and September than in July, August and October, with the apparent optimum growth temperature in the field being about 18 ° C. Unlike the fungal flora collected, propagules of T. hamatum were not randomly distributed throughout the experimental plot. Fifty three percent of isolates of T. hamatum (or 1% of the fungal propagules isolated) in laboratory culture produced toxic, water-soluble metabolites. Two of these metabolites are isonitrile acids.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal status of spring ephemerals in the desert ecosystem of Junggar Basin, China

A survey was made of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status of 73 spring ephemeral plant species that grow in the desert ecosystem of Junggar Basin, northwest China. The proportion of AM colonization ranged from 7 to 73% with a mean value of 30%. A total of 65 plant species studied were AM with coils/arbuscules or vesicles and the remaining eight species were possibly AM with no coils/arbuscules or vesicles but with fungal mycelia in the root cortex. AM fungal spores were isolated from rhizosphere samples of all 73 plant species and identified. The mean spore density was 22 per 20 ml of air-dried soil, ranging from 0 to 120. Colonization and spore density of perennials were slightly higher than of annuals and varied among different plant families. A total of 603 AM fungal spore (or sporocarp) specimens were isolated belonging to six genera, Acaulospora, Archaeopora, Entrophospora, Glomus, Paraglomus, and Scutellospora; Glomus was the dominant genus. We conclude that spring ephemerals may be highly dependent on AM associations for survival in the very infertile and arid soils of this desert ecosystem.Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

The symbiotic bacteria Alcaligenes faecalis of the entomopathogenic nematodes Oscheius spp. exhibit potential biocontrol of plant- and entomopathogenic fungi

Soil-dwelling entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) kill arthropod hosts by injecting their symbiotic bacteria into the host hemolymph and feed on the bacteria and the tissue of the dying host for several generations cycles until the arthropod cadaver is completely depleted. The EPN–bacteria–arthropod cadaver complex represents a rich energy source for the surrounding opportunistic soil fungal biota and other competitors. We hypothesized that EPNs need to protect their food source until depletion and that the EPN symbiotic bacteria produce volatile and non-volatile exudations that deter different soil fungal groups in the soil. We isolated the symbiotic bacteria species (Alcaligenes faecalis) from the EPN Oscheius spp. and ran infectivity bioassays against entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) as well as against plant pathogenic fungi (PPF). We found that both volatile and non-volatile symbiotic bacterial exudations had negative effects on both EPF and PPF. Such deterrent function on functionally different fungal strains suggests a common mode of action of A. faecalis bacterial exudates, which has the potential to influence the structure of soil microbial communities, and could be integrated into pest management programs for increasing crop protection against fungal pathogens.     

Screening of soil fungi for in vitro degradation of endosulfan

Intensive use of endosulfan has resulted in contamination of soil and water environments at various sites in Pakistan. This study was conducted to isolate efficient endosulfan-degrading fungal strains from contaminated soils. Sixteen fungal strains were isolated from fifteen specific sites by employing enrichment techniques while using endosulfan as a sole sulfur source, and tested for their potential to degrade endosulfan. Among these fungal strains, Chaetosartorya stromatoides, Aspergillus terricola, and Aspergillus terreus degraded both α- and β-endosulfan upto 75% in addition to ∼20% abiotic degradation of the spiked amount (100 mg l⁻¹) in the broth within 12 days of incubation. Biodegradation of endosulfan by soil fungi was accompanied by a substantial decrease in pH of the broth from 7.0 to 3.2. The major metabolic product was endosulfan diol along with very low concentrations of endosulfan ether. Maximum biodegradation of endosulfan by these selected fungal strains was found at an initial broth pH of 6, incubation temperature of 30°C and under agitation conditions. This study indicates that the isolated strains carried efficient enzyme systems required for bioremediation of endosulfan-contaminated soil and water environments.     

紫花针茅根际和体内真菌群落结构及与土壤环境因子的相关性研究

[目的] 探究青藏高原不同地区高寒草原紫花针茅根际和体内真菌群落的组成、多样性等特征,及与土壤环境因子（理化性质和酶活性）间的相互关系。[方法] 从青藏高原不同地区采集紫花针茅样品,应用土壤化学方法分析根际土壤理化性质和酶活性,并采用Illumina Miseq高通量测序技术,解析根际土壤和体内真菌群落组成和丰度、Alpha多样性和菌群结构,同时分析了紫花针茅根际真菌种群多样性与土壤环境因子的相关性,厘清了影响紫花针茅根际真菌区系的土壤环境因素。[结果] 三个采样地的根际土壤呈中性偏碱,土壤理化性质和酶活性变化各异。高通量测序共得到314801条有效序列和4491个OTUs;XZ样地的紫花针茅真菌多样性和丰富度相对偏低,GS样地最高。在门分类水平上,子囊菌门Ascomycota和担子菌门Basidiomycota是主要内生真菌类群,占总菌群的88.28%。不同采样地区紫花针茅体内真菌群落结构存在明显差异,而根际土壤真菌群落结构差异不大。相关性分析表明,紫花针茅真菌多样性与土壤pH、有效钾、铁、钙、镁、多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶和脱氢酶呈显著（P<0.05）或极显著（P<0.01）正相关,而与海拔、土壤酸性磷酸酶呈极显著负相关。RDA分析发现,紫花针茅根际土壤真菌不同,影响的土壤环境因子也不同。[结论] 青藏高原高寒草地紫花针茅根际和体内栖息着丰富的真菌群落,其组成和多样性受多种土壤环境因子影响,且影响不同真菌群落的主要土壤环境因子也不同。本研究对于有益微生物资源的开发、利用及保护具有重要意义,并为紫花针茅草原保育和合理开发利用提供科学依据。     

Changes in populations of soil microorganisms,nematodes, and enzyme activity associated with application of powdered pine bark

Evaluation of enzyme activities in combination with taxonomic analyses may help define the mechanisms involved in microbial decomposition of orgaic amendments and biological control of soilborne pathogens. In this study, powdered pine bark was added to nematode-infested soil at rates of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 g kg^–1. Total fungal populations did not differ among treatments immediately after application of pine bark. After 7 days, fungal populations were positively correlated with increasing levels of pine bark. This increase was sustained through 14 and 21 days.Penicillium chrysogenum andPaecilomves variotii were the predominant fungal species isolated from soil amended with pine bark. Total bacterial populations did not change with addition of pine bark at 0, 7, and 14 days after treatment. At 21 and 63 days, total bacterial populations declined in soil receiving the highest rates of pine bark. Addition of pine bark powder to soil caused a shift in predominant bacterial genera fromBacillus spp. in nonamended soil, toPseudomonas spp. in amended soil. Soil enzyme activities were positively correlated with pine bark rate at all sampling times. Trehalase activity was positively correlated with total fungal populations and with predominant fungal species, but was not related to bacterial populations. The number of non-parasitic (non-stylet bearing) nematodes andMeloidogyne arenaria in soil and roots were not correlated with pine bark rate. However,Heterodera glycines juveniles in roots, and the number of cysts g^–1 root, declined with increasing levels of pine bark.Journal Series Series No. 18-933598 Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station     

Culturable microfungi inhibitory to Armillaria rhizomorph formation from Fagus sylvatica stump roots and soil

Culturable fungi from 28 fungal communities were isolated from soil, rhizosphere and thick (1 cm diam.) roots of living beech (Fagus sylvatica) trees and their stumps 1–3 years after felling. All fungi were morphotyped and identified morphologically. The frequency of fungi was 2–5× greater in stumps than in living trees. The diversity of fungi was similar in living trees and stumps. The majority of fungal species that occurred at greater frequency on/in roots of stumps reduced the growth of Armillaria ostoyae and to a smaller extent of A. gallica rhizomorphs in a soil substrate in vitro. It is suggested that the mycobiota of roots may constrain the colonization of F. sylvatica by A. ostoyae rather than by A. gallica. The significance of these findings in the epidemiology of Armillaria in beech forests is discussed.     

Effect of fuel burning on the microbial population of soil

An attempt was made to study the effect of different amount of fuel burning on the microbial populations of forest soil. Maximum effect of fire was observed in the surface layer of soil and not much variation was seen in the distribution of soil microflora. However, with increasing amount of fuel burned, the effect became higher, microorganisms being destroyed to a depth of 70 mm. Qualitatively, there was no significant difference in the composition of fungal species in comparison with the control soil. Similar types of fungal species were isolated from all the types of burned soil,Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Fusarium andPhoma being the predominant genera. This research was supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under the Man and Biosphere Programme.     

Fungi recovered from root-knot nematodes infecting vegetables under protected cultivation

A survey was conducted in root-knot nematode-infested plastic houses to determine the diversity and frequency of occurrence of fungi associated with the nematode. The relationships between percentage fungal parasitism and physicochemical properties of soil were also investigated. Fifty-nine plastic houses were sampled in southeastern Spain, 42 treated with nematicides and 17 left untreated. Eleven fungal genera and unidentified fungi were isolated from nematode eggs or juveniles. Fungal parasitism occurred more frequently in untreated (82.4%) than treated (50%) soils. The species richness in untreated soils ranged from 0 to 5, the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (a measurement of how many different fungi there are in site taking into account how evenly they are distributed among the site) from 0 to 2.01, and the evenness index from 0.46 to 0.99. In treated soils, species richness ranged from 0 to 4, the Shannon–Wiener diversity index from 0 to 1.61, and the evenness index from 0.81 to 1. Of the sites with nematophagous fungi, Arthrobotrys dactyloides (34%), Cylindrocarpon sp., Neosartoria hiratsukae (17%), and Fusarium solani (14%) were the fungi most frequently found. Physicochemical properties of soil were similar in nematicide treated and untreated soils. Percent fungal parasitism in untreated soils correlated positively with lime, silt and carbonate content of soil.     

Morphological characterization of in-vitro human hair keratinolysis,produced by identified wild strains of Chrysosporium species

Chrysosporium species were isolated from soil and keratinized material. Primary isolation was performed following the general method of hair baiting on modified Czapek-agar media with washed, defated and sterilized human hair fragments added. Strains were maintained in test tubes of potato dextrose agar at 29 °C and cultivated on phytone yeast extract agar at 28 °C for 14 days for identification. Isolates were characterized using Van Oorschot's key. Keratinolytic activity was expressed following a subjective scale representing degree/severity of attack upon hair surface and presence of fungal structures observed in substrate. Culture results and characterization methods were effective for soil Chrysosporium strain isolation. A new hair attack mode is described. Of 71 keratinolytic fungal isolates, eight (12%) Chrysosporium species were identified. One keratinolytic Chrysosporium sp. isolate is yet to be identified.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Psychrooligotrophic fungi from Arctic soils of Franz Joseph Land

Microfungi isolated from soil samples collected in Franz Joseph Land by means of the soil dilution and soil washing methods were screened for their ability to grow at low temperatures. The oligotrophic ability of the psychrotrophic strains was then determined on silica gel. A total of 40 taxa from 21 genera were isolated. Most isolates were species of Acremonium, Geomyces, Mortierella, Phialophora, Phoma, Thelebolus and sterile fungi. Eutypella scoparia, Hyphozyma variabilis and Ovadendron sulphureo-ochraceum are new records as soil and Arctic fungi. Most fungal isolates were psychrotrophic. The few psychrooligotrophs were species of Geomyces, Phoma, Thelebolus and Mortierella. Overall, our results suggest that the major component of an Arctic soil mycoflora should be active in one or more short growing seasons interspersed with periods of prolonged dormancy. Only a minor component, such as the small group of psychrooligotrophic fungi found in this study, may be expected to show continuous slow growth. Accepted: 22 November 1998