Endophytic fungi – Page 6

Can the DSE Fungus Exserohilum rostratum Mitigate the Effect of Salinity on the Grass Chloris gayana?

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Researchers studied whether a beneficial soil fungus called Exserohilum rostratum could help Rhodes grass survive in salty soils. The fungus could tolerate salt and colonize plant roots, producing helpful enzymes and acids. While the fungus did improve the plant’s ability to maintain balanced nutrient levels and helped under normal conditions, it provided only limited benefits when salt stress became severe, showing that such fungal partnerships work best under specific conditions.

Halotolerant Endophytic Fungi: Diversity, Host Plants, and Mechanisms in Plant Salt–Alkali Stress Alleviation

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Certain fungi living inside plants can help crops survive in salty and alkaline soils that would normally damage them. These special fungi work with plants by regulating salt ions, boosting natural antioxidants, and producing protective compounds. Research shows these fungi partnerships can increase crop yields by 15-40% in challenging saline soils, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical interventions.

Evaluation of cellulase production by endophytic fungi isolated from young and mature leaves of medicinal plants using maize cob substrate

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This research studied beneficial fungi living inside the leaves of medicinal plants (neem and aloe) to see if they could produce cellulase enzymes, which are used in many industries. Scientists isolated 11 different fungi from plant leaves and tested their ability to break down corn cobs (agricultural waste) to produce these useful enzymes. Two fungi species – G. candidum and C. stellimalicola – were found to be the best enzyme producers, suggesting they could be used commercially to make cellulase enzymes in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way.

Novel secondary metabolite from a new species of Hypoxylon saxatilis sp. nov. for suppressing bacterial wilt in tomato

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Researchers discovered a new fungus species (Hypoxylon saxatilis) living inside medicinal plants that produces a novel compound called tetrahydrofuran. This compound kills the bacterium that causes tomato wilt disease by damaging bacterial cell walls. In greenhouse tests, extract from this fungus reduced wilt disease severity by over 83%, suggesting it could be developed as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting tomato crops.

Native and Non-Native Soil and Endophytic Trichoderma spp. from Semi-Arid Sisal Fields of Brazil Are Potential Biocontrol Agents for Sisal Bole Rot Disease

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Sisal plants in Brazil are being devastated by a fungal disease called bole rot. Scientists discovered that certain beneficial fungi called Trichoderma can effectively fight this disease by producing natural compounds and directly attacking the harmful fungus. These Trichoderma fungi also help the sisal plant defend itself better against infection. The research shows that using these beneficial fungi could help save Brazil’s important sisal fiber industry.

Four Unrecorded Species of Endophytic Diaporthe (Sordariomycetes) in Korea

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Researchers in Korea discovered four new species of endophytic fungi called Diaporthe living inside plant tissues without causing visible disease. Using genetic testing and microscopic examination, they identified D. caryae, D. phoenicicola, D. stewartii, and D. unshiuensis as previously unrecorded in Korea. These fungi can potentially produce compounds with medicinal properties or help manage plant diseases. This discovery helps scientists better understand the hidden fungal diversity in Korean ecosystems.

First report and diversity analysis of endophytic fungi associated with Ulva sp. from Iran

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Researchers in Iran discovered 33 different fungi living inside a green algae called Ulva that grows along the Iranian coast. These fungi live symbiotically with the algae without harming it. Seven different species of fungi were identified for the first time in Iranian Ulva, including common fungi like Aspergillus and Penicillium. This discovery helps scientists understand the hidden relationships between fungi and marine algae in Iranian waters.

PEG-Mediated Protoplast Transformation of Penicillium sclerotiorum (scaumcx01): Metabolomic Shifts and Root Colonization Dynamics

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Scientists developed a new method to genetically modify a beneficial fungus called Penicillium sclerotiorum by removing its cell wall and introducing new genes. They added a glowing green marker (GFP) to track the fungus as it colonizes tomato plant roots. The study shows that enzymatic treatment of seeds significantly improves how well the fungus attaches to roots, potentially helping plants grow better while revealing how the genetic modification affects the fungus’s internal chemistry.

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

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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.

Halotolerant Endophytic Fungi: Diversity, Host Plants, and Mechanisms in Plant Salt–Alkali Stress Alleviation

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Over 1.3 billion hectares of farmland worldwide suffer from excess salt and alkalinity, drastically reducing crop yields. Special fungi that live inside plant tissues can help crops survive in these harsh conditions without harming them. These fungi work by helping plants manage salt accumulation, boost their natural defenses, and produce protective compounds. While laboratory tests show promising results with yield increases up to 40%, practical field application remains challenging due to environmental variables.

Research Keyword: Endophytic fungi