Mycorrhizae

Funghi. Alimentazione e nutraceutica è uno dei pochi testi universitari sulla materia attualmente in commercio in Italia. Il libro analizza le caratteristiche generali dei funghi e le tecniche di raccolta e identificazione dei macromiceti di interesse alimentare e medicinale.
È inclusa la descrizione di ventidue funghi di interesse alimentare, con consigli su raccolta, trattamento, conservazione, commercializzazione e tecniche di coltivazione. Un capitolo è dedicato inoltre alle proprietà alimentari e medicinali. L’analisi delle proprietà medicinali è un’assoluta novità nello scenario dei testi universitari italiani e fornisce al lettore utili informazioni sul settore della nutraceutica dei funghi, in costante crescita anche in Europa.

We studied seasonal variation in population attributes of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi over 2 years in four sites of temperate grasslands of the Argentinean Flooding Pampas. The sites represent a wide range of soil conditions, hydrologic gradients, and floristic composition. Lotus glaber, a perennial herbaceous legume naturalised in the Flooding Pampas, was dominant at the four plant community sites. Its roots were highly colonised by AM fungi. Temporal variations in spore density, spore type, AM root colonisation, floristic composition and soil chemical characteristics occurred in each site and were different among sites. The duration of flooding had no effect on spore density but depressed AM root colonisation. Eleven different types of spores were recognized and four were identified. Two species dominated at the four sites: Glomus fasciculatum and Glomus intraradices. Spore density was highest in summer (dry season) and lowest in winter (wet season) with intermediate values in autumn and spring. Colonisation of L. glaber roots was highest in summer or spring and lowest in winter or autumn. The relative density of G. fasciculatum and G. intraradices versus Glomus sp. and Acaulospora sp. had distinctive seasonal peaks. These seasonal peaks occurred at all four sites, suggesting differences among AM fungus species with respect to the seasonality of sporulation. Spore density and AM root colonisation when measured at any one time were poorly related to each other. However, spore density was significantly correlated with root colonisation 3 months before, suggesting that high colonisation in one season precedes high sporulation in the next season.

The American elm (Ulmus americana L.) was once one of the most common urban trees in eastern North America until Dutch-elm disease (DED), caused by the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, eliminated most of the mature trees. To enhance DED resistance, Agrobacterium was used to transform American elm with a transgene encoding the synthetic antimicrobial peptide ESF39A, driven by a vascular promoter from American chestnut. Four unique, single-copy transgenic lines were produced and regenerated into whole plants. These lines showed less wilting and significantly less sapwood staining than non-transformed controls after O. novo-ulmi inoculation. Preliminary observations indicated that mycorrhizal colonization was not significantly different between transgenic and wild-type trees. Although the trees tested were too young to ensure stable resistance was achieved, these results indicate that transgenes encoding antimicrobial peptides reduce DED symptoms and therefore hold promise for enhancing pathogen resistance in American elm.

The forests of Bhadrachalam, Kothagudem and Paloncha of Khammam District in Andhra Pradesh, India during were surveyed 2007-2010 for micro-and macro-fungi colonizing litter, fruit, bark, humid soils, wood, dung and water, which revealed 131 species associated with diversified substrates of which 96 were micro-fungi and 35 being macro-fungi. Thirty four fungi were cultured, while the remaining could not be cultured. Sixty five species were found colonizing litter, whereas the rest were associated with other habitats of Bhadrachalam forest. Anamorphic fungi dominated the mycofloristics followed by Basidiomycotina. Mastigomycotina, Zygomycotina and Ascomycotina members.

New Caledonian serpentine (ultramafic) soils contain high levels of toxic heavy metals, in particular nickel, (up to 20 g kg(-1)) and are deficient in essential elements like carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus while having a high magnesium/calcium ratio. Although previous studies showed that ectomycorrhizal symbioses could play an important role in the adaptation of the endemic plants to ultramafic soils (FEMS Microbiol Ecol 72:238-49, 2010), none of them have compared the diversity of microbial communities from ultramafic vs non-ultramafic soils in New Caledonia. We explored the impact of edaphic characteristics on the diversity of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi associated with different endemic species of Tristaniopsis (Myrtaceae) growing under contrasting soil conditions in the natural ecosystems of New Caledonia. ECM root tips were thus sampled from two different ultramafic sites (Koniambo massif and Desmazures forest) vs two volcano-sedimentary ones (Arama and Mont Ninndo). The molec...

This dissertation explores the usefulness of mycorrhizal fungal networks as a metaphor for community support systems in human societies. The research is intentionally positioned between academic scholarship and activism, practising hope as a discipline, radical care as praxis and decoloniality as a priority. I begin by proposing a liberatory, decolonial approach toward nature that rejects extractivism, with the intention of situating the research field of mycology within a historical and social context. Next, I conduct a literature review of peer-reviewed scientific journals to ascertain the key characteristics of mycorrhizal networks that allow them to support life in forest ecosystems. I then apply the findings of the literature review to a case study of UK-based mutual aid networks in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, I evaluate the strength of the mycorrhizal network metaphor, arguing that it can reveal certain nuances involved in mutual aid work – the messy, worldly realities of care work in practice. Given that the discipline of Science and Technology Studies (STS) analyses social and historical phenomena to inform actions in the present and the future, I further argue that the mycorrhizal network metaphor has the potential to guide future social justice work in STS.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the inoculation date of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the fruit quality and the content of phytochemicals in a strawberry soilless growing system. The experiment was performed in Huelva (Spain) and was conducted in a greenhouse on the La Rábida Campus of Huelva University under natural light and temperature from October 2013 to June 2014. Three short-day strawberry cultivars ('Splendor', 'Sabrina' and 'Fortuna') were grown in polyethylene bags filled with coconut fibres. Randomized block design, with 3 repetitions and factorial arrangement (3 cultivars x 3 treatments), was established. Each replicate consisted of one bag with 12 plants supporting structures at 40 cm height. The treatments were: T1 = mycorrhizal inoculation in the transplantation; T2 = mycorrhizal inoculation 30 days after transplantation (DAT); and T0 = control treatment, without inoculation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation significantly affected the contents of anthocyanin and phenolics. When the inoculation is performed in the transplantation, the fruits showed a high content of anthocyanin and total phenolics. The mycorrhizal inoculation influences decreasing the acidity in fruit throughout the growing season and increase firmness only during the early stage of production.

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus caledonium and/or Rhizobium meliloti on phytoremediation of an agricultural soil contaminated with weathered PCBs by alfalfa grown for 180 days. Planting alfalfa (P), alfalfa inoculated with G. caledonium (P+AM), alfalfa inoculated with R. meliloti (P+R), and alfalfa co-inoculated with R. meliloti and G. caledonium (P+AM+R) decreased significantly initial soil PCB concentrations by 8.1, 12.0, 33.8, and 43.5%, respectively. Inoculation with R. meliloti and/or G. caledonium (P+AM+R) increased the yield of alfalfa, and the accumulation of PCBs in the shoots. Soil microbial counts and the carbon utilization ability of the soil microbial community increased when alfalfa was inoculated with R. meliloti and/or G. caledonium. Results of this field study suggest that synergistic interactions between AMF and Rhizobium may have great potential to enhance phytoremediation by alfalfa of an agricultural soil contaminated with weathered PCBs.

Plant species that successfully establish in environments of recent formation, such as barrier islands, exhibit life history traits that allow them to efficiently capture nutrients and water, such ability may be largely due to interactions these plants establish with mutualistic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The goal of this work was to characterize plant community present at two sites, a barrier island and a coastal dune system; the influence of marine proximity against the lagoon proximity and to relate aspects of these plant communities to soil fertility and AMF presence in roots y la rhizosphere. The study was conducted at “La Carbonera” in Chuburná, Yucatan, Mexico. At each site we established transects, where we placed three 5 x 5-m plots. Within each plot we surveyed vegetation (recording present species and plant cover), collected root samples to assess AMF colonization, and collected soil samples for nutrient analyses and quantification of AMF spores in rhizosphere. We found a total of 36 plant species from 28 families, with herbaceous life form being the most common. All plant species recorded were colonized by AMF. Nonetheless, AMF spores were scarce in soil, which may be due to immediate AMF root colonization of host plants trigger by low phosphorus and nitrogen availability in soil. Our results suggest that the AMF propagules may colonize the roots since the first stages of plant establishment on sand dunes.

Soils and ecosystems worldwide are losing in fungal diversity, this is affecting their ability to respond to environmental changes and point perturbations. Also, pollution is rising and agricultural land is receding, creating a need to both manage our resources better and to regenerate the already “lost” land. Here, I am exploring how fungi and their mycelial
networks can assist us in this quest of co-habiting with the land to increase the quality of our lives. Fungi have multiple tools that can be of use here; a) fungal hyphae that colonize wide surfaces quickly and interconnect everything, occupy sensitive niches and strengthen the ecosystem. b) A whole army of enzymes that can degrade a wide range
of chemical contaminants and accelerate the re-cycling of  lignocellulosic material. c) Cellular structures capable of hunting and killing plant-pathogenic nematodes. d) The ability to adsorb and digest pathogens from running water thanks to their thick mycelial mats… Techniques such as mycoremediation can be used to decontaminate soils, mycofiltration can help us manage our waste waters locally and more efficiently, plantfungal interactions can help us strengthen our crops against pests, drought and saline stresses while increasing our yields. Certain fungal species of particular interest here are looked into more detail. Finally, a model is presented that combines all the different strategies presented in a small-scale homestead with animals, crops and mushroom production.

The International Workshop on Edible Mycorrhizal Mushrooms (IWEMM) is the major international convention that brings together the experts on diversity, ecophysiology, biotechnology, traditional knowledge, molecular biology, genomic sciences and cultivation of truffles and other ectomycorrhizal fungi worldwide since 1998. With the participation of 350 delegates from more than 20 countries, IWEMM9 was held in Mexico in 2017 and the Proceedings are here presented.

Throughout the ancient stories of humanity, plants and fungi have been used as sources to contact divine realms by Shaman and Priest alike. These naturally induced experiences are often potent enough to form Mystics, Prophets, Spiritual Gurus, and even gods. Psychedelic substances during modern eras have been virtually demonized and condemned by most members of society or labeled as recreational by others - leaving any claims to a spiritual connection castrated at the thesis statement. Scholars fear tackling this subject by reality of being ostracized from peers and/or branded as a hieratic by the Church if not outright imprisoned by the state.

Holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Holy Communion, and Marriage all appear to have their roots in the experience that Christ is centered upon; Sacred Psilocybin Mushrooms. This book takes a deeper look into the myths, artwork, and stories that surround predominating religions and breaks down how each individual can come into direct communication with divine realms by instituting the true Holy Blessed Sacrament.

Textile industry is the most avid user for dyes. Rapidly growing interest in developing more synthetic commercial dyes from its native to endeavour human needs contributed to aesthetic problems to the environment and public health. Increasing concerns about colours in the effluents lead to worldwide efforts to develop more effective colour removal processes. However, the physical and chemical treatment methods of the discharge effluents are not economically feasible even if some of them are inefficient nowadays. Furthermore, liberating the hazardous product from secondary pollution from these methods acquires valid waste management system. Without proper discharge, azo dyes and associated chemicals may induce mutagenesis leading to toxicity in aquatic plants and animals. Utilization of mycoremediation of dyes as green chemistry technology has yet become a promising approach due to its clear picture of cost, eco-friendly and environmentally benign process as an alternative green solution to replace or supplement for current and future environmental issues. The bioremediation using fungi was reported to be more tolerant than bacteria and more efficient for decolorization as well as degradation of toxic chemicals. However, white-rot fungi are well known for their outstanding ability in bioremediation process. Their ability to produce highly non-specific extracellular enzymes allows them to degrade a wide array of pollutants resembling dyes and its derivatives. White-rot fungi secrete one or more of the three principle ligninolytic enzymes: lignin peroxidase (LiP, E.C. 1.11.1.14), Mn-dependent peroxidase (MnP, E.C. 1.11.1.13) and phenol oxidase (laccase) (Lac, E.C. 1.10.3.2) and other peroxidases. The present review discusses comprehensively the science and technology of biodegradation and fungal bioremediation of synthetic dyes.

Background Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient in many agroecosystems and costly fertilizer inputs can cause negative environmental impacts. Cover crops constitute a promising management option for sustainable intensification of agriculture. However, their interactions with the soil microbial community, which is a key driver of P cycling, and their effects on the following crop, have not yet been systematically assessed. Scope We conducted a meta-analysis of published field studies on cover crops and P cycling, focusing on plant-microbe interactions. Conclusions We describe several distinct, simultaneous mechanisms of P benefits for the main crop. Decomposition dynamics, governed by P concentration, are critical for the transfer of P from cover crop residues to the main crop. Cover crops may enhance the soil microbial community by providing a legacy of increased mycorrhizal abundance, microbial biomass P, and phosphatase activity. Cover crops are generally most effective in systems low in available P, and may access 'unavailable' P pools. However, their effects on P availability are difficult to detect by standard soil P tests, except for increases after the use of Lupinus sp. Agricultural management (i.e. cover crop species selection, tillage, fertilization) can improve cover crop effects. In summary, cover cropping has the potential to tighten nutrient cycling in agricultural systems under different conditions, increasing crop P nutrition and yield.

Plants and Animals: Interdisciplinary Approaches is a book series that aims to publish scholarly work that addresses common challenges across the fields of plant and animal studies by foregrounding interdisciplinary perspectives. Grounded in the humanities, Plants and Animals welcomes trans-disciplinary perspectives that engage with scholarship in the social sciences and in the natural sciences.