Endophytic fungi – Page 8

A root-based N-hydroxypipecolic acid standby circuit to direct immunity and growth of Arabidopsis shoots

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Plants communicate with their shoots through chemical signals produced in their roots when soil microorganisms are present. Researchers discovered that a molecule called N-hydroxypipecolic acid acts like an on-off switch controlled by two proteins, FMO1 and UGT76B1. Beneficial fungi suppress the ‘off’ switch, allowing this signal to travel to leaves where it boosts immunity against disease. Different amounts of this signal have different effects: small amounts help the plant grow, while large amounts strengthen defenses but slow growth.

Bioactivity and chemical screening of endophytic fungi associated with seaweeds Gracilaria sp. and Sargassum sp. of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

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Researchers discovered several types of fungi living inside seaweed from Bangladesh’s Bay of Bengal coast. These fungi produce natural compounds that can fight bacteria, reduce harmful oxidative damage, and potentially kill cancer cells. The study identified specific chemical compounds responsible for these beneficial properties, suggesting these fungi could be useful sources for developing new medicines.

Ectophoma salviniae sp. nov., Neottiosporina mihintaleensis sp. nov. and four other endophytes associated with aquatic plants from Sri Lanka and their extracellular enzymatic potential

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Scientists in Sri Lanka discovered and identified six species of fungi living inside aquatic plants from freshwater lakes. Two of these were entirely new species never documented before. The researchers found that these fungi produce different enzymes that could break down starches, cellulose, and other complex molecules, which might have useful applications in biotechnology and other industries.

Identification, characterization, antimicrobial activity and biocontrol potential of four endophytic fungi isolated from Amazonian plants

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Scientists isolated four types of fungi living inside the leaves of medicinal plants from the Amazon region of Bolivia. These fungi produce natural compounds that kill harmful bacteria and fungi that damage potato crops. The findings show promise for developing natural alternatives to synthetic pesticides and antibiotics for agricultural and medical applications.

Alliance Between Conifer Trees and Endophytic Fungi Against Insect Defoliators

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Tiny fungi living inside white spruce trees help protect them from destructive budworm insects in two ways: the fungi directly produce toxic substances that kill or harm the budworms, and they also trigger the trees to produce more of their own natural chemical defenses called terpenes. Scientists found that spruce trees with more of these helpful fungi in their leaves were better protected against budworm damage. This discovery shows that trees don’t fight pests alone but partner with beneficial fungi as part of their defense system.

Endophytic Alternaria alternata Culture-Derived Elicitor Promotes Growth and Antibacterial Activity in Kalanchoe laetivirens

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Researchers cultivated medicinal Kalanchoe plants in controlled laboratory conditions and exposed them to a powdered form of a beneficial fungus (Alternaria alternata). The plants treated with this fungal extract grew larger, developed more roots, and produced greater amounts of antibacterial compounds compared to untreated plants. The treated plants were especially effective at stopping the growth of two common disease-causing bacteria (E. coli and S. aureus). This approach could lead to more efficient production of plant-based medicines.

Genomic insights reveal community structure and phylogenetic associations of endohyphal bacteria and viruses in fungal endophytes

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This study examined tiny bacteria and viruses living inside the filaments of fungi that colonize beech tree leaves. Researchers found that different types of bacteria show preferences for specific fungal groups, while viruses are less diverse and mostly DNA-based. Understanding these microscopic communities helps explain how fungi function and could eventually lead to using these organisms for controlling plant diseases.

New species and records of ascomycetes on cypress in Beijing, China

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Researchers in Beijing investigated fungal diseases affecting cypress trees, which are important for landscaping and have medicinal value. They collected samples from diseased and healthy cypress parts and identified 13 different fungal species, including two completely new species and two species previously unknown on cypress trees. The study helps us understand the various fungi living on cypress trees, both harmful pathogens and potentially beneficial endophytic fungi that may have useful medicinal properties.

Geographic variation in fungal diversity associated with leaf spot symptoms of Coffea arabica in Yunnan, China

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Researchers studied the fungi found on coffee leaf spots in two different regions of Yunnan province in China. They discovered that the types of fungi varied significantly between the cooler, higher-altitude Pu’er region (which had more harmful fungi) and the warmer, tropical Xishuangbanna region (which had more beneficial fungi that could fight pests). This information can help coffee farmers choose better disease management strategies based on their location.

A Fungal Endophyte Alters Poplar Leaf Chemistry, Deters Insect Feeding and Shapes Insect Community Assembly

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Researchers discovered that a fungus living inside poplar trees helps protect them from harmful insects by boosting the tree’s own chemical defences and producing its own deterrent compound called stachydrine. In laboratory tests, the fungus successfully deterred leaf-eating insects from feeding on poplar leaves. However, in field studies, the endophyte-infected trees attracted more aphids while repelling beetles, suggesting the fungus affects different types of insects differently depending on how they feed.

Research Keyword: Endophytic fungi