Research Keyword: amplicon sequencing

The Functional Role of Fungi and Bacteria in Sulfur Cycling During Kelp (Ecklonia Radiata) Degradation: Unconventional Use of PiCrust2

When kelp washes up on beaches, microscopic fungi and bacteria work together to break it down and recycle its nutrients back into the ocean. This study shows that fungi play a much bigger role in this process than previously thought, especially in cycling sulfur compounds that affect climate. By understanding these microbial partnerships, scientists can better predict how coastal ecosystems respond to changes in seaweed production.

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Plant species and soil moisture shape rhizosphere microbiota in an unusually productive tundra ecosystem of North Greenland

In one of Earth’s most extreme environments—North Greenland’s Arctic tundra—scientists discovered that water availability and plant types strongly influence the invisible microbial communities living in soil around plant roots. Using advanced genetic sequencing, they found that different plants host distinct communities of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, with fungi showing the strongest plant-specific associations. These findings help us understand how Arctic ecosystems function and may adapt to climate change.

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The Expanding Truffle Environment: A Study of the Microbial Dynamics in the Old Productive Site and the New Tuber magnatum Picco Habitat

Researchers studied how microorganisms change in soil as truffle forests expand into new areas in Italy. They found that young, expanding truffle areas had more diverse microbial communities compared to established productive forests. The study showed that forest management practices, like selectively removing vegetation to help truffle-associated trees grow, significantly influence which fungi and bacteria thrive in the soil. This research provides insights into how to better protect and expand natural white truffle habitats.

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The predominance of Penicillium, Mucor, and Yarrowia among spoilage fungi in cultured dairy products produced by 3 manufacturers, as revealed by amplicon sequencing

Researchers identified which molds and yeasts cause yogurt and other cultured dairy products to spoil by analyzing 200 contaminated samples from 3 manufacturers. Three types of fungi—Penicillium, Mucor, and Yarrowia—were responsible for over 70% of the spoilage cases. Interestingly, these fungi were still found in products containing preservatives, suggesting they can resist or break down common food preservatives. The study shows that using DNA sequencing to identify these organisms is more accurate and helpful than traditional methods, allowing dairy manufacturers to develop better strategies to prevent contamination.

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The Expanding Truffle Environment: A Study of the Microbial Dynamics in the Old Productive Site and the New Tuber magnatum Picco Habitat

Researchers studied how microbial communities (fungi and bacteria) develop in expanding white truffle forests compared to established productive forests in Tuscany, Italy. Over two years, they found that new forest areas have more diverse and unstable microbial communities with rapid colonization by various fungi, while older forests show more stable communities dominated by truffle-associated fungi. The study reveals how forest management practices, like selective cutting, influence the balance between fungi that break down plant material and those that form beneficial relationships with tree roots, suggesting that understanding these microbial dynamics is key to successfully expanding truffle cultivation.

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The Expanding Truffle Environment: A Study of the Microbial Dynamics in the Old Productive Site and the New Tuber magnatum Picco Habitat

This study examined the microbial communities in white truffle forests in Italy, comparing an established productive forest with a nearby expanding area. Researchers found that the expanding area had more diverse fungal communities with opportunistic species like Mortierella, while the mature forest had a more stable community dominated by ectomycorrhizal fungi. The study identified specific bacteria like Sphingomonas that showed positive associations with white truffles, suggesting these microbes may play important roles in truffle development and could help guide future cultivation efforts.

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Mycobiome of low maintenance iconic landscape plant boxwood under repeated treatments of contact and systemic fungicides

This study examined how different fungicide treatments affect the beneficial and harmful fungi living on boxwood plants. Researchers found that repeated applications of chlorothalonil-based fungicides reduced many beneficial fungi while having minimal effect on harmful pathogens, and that fungi became less sensitive to the same fungicide over time. The findings suggest that choosing the right fungicide and application method is important for maintaining plant health and preventing fungicide resistance.

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