forest disease – mycolab.ai

Screening and Optimization of Solid-State Fermentation for Esteya vermicola, an Entomopathogenic Fungus Against the Major Forest Pest Pine Wood Nematode

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Scientists optimized how to grow large quantities of a beneficial fungus called Esteya vermicola in solid fermentation, which kills the pine wood nematode pest that destroys pine forests. By testing different combinations of ingredients (wheat bran, corn flour, soybean flour, glucose, yeast extract, and magnesium sulfate) and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, inoculation volume, and time), researchers increased fungal spore production more than 4-fold. These results provide a practical method for producing biopesticide products to protect pine forests from this damaging pest.

Tackling Conifer Needle Cast and Ash Dieback with Host-Derived Microbial Antagonists Exhibiting Plant Growth-Promoting Traits

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Scientists discovered beneficial bacteria living on ash and pine trees that can fight two major forest diseases: ash dieback and needle cast. These bacteria not only kill the harmful fungi but also help trees grow stronger by improving nutrient absorption. This research offers promise for protecting European forests without relying on chemical fungicides, creating a more natural and sustainable approach to forest health.

Eight Fungal Species Associated with Ambrosia Beetles in Korea

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Researchers identified eight fungal species in South Korea that live inside ambrosia beetles in a special partnership where the fungi feed the beetles. These fungi had never been documented in Korea before. The study examined beetles from nine forest locations and found these fungi species living with 15 different types of ambrosia beetles, establishing which fungi work with which beetles.

Whole-genome sequencing of global forest pathogen Diplodia sapinea causing pine shoot blight

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This study presents a detailed genetic map of Diplodia sapinea, a fungus that causes serious disease in pine trees worldwide. Researchers sequenced the complete genome of a strain from China and compared it with related fungi to better understand how the pathogen causes disease. The high-quality genetic information provides important tools for scientists to develop better ways to prevent and control pine shoot blight, protecting valuable forests and timber resources.

Is Ischnoderma benzoinum a competitor or contributor to Heterobasidion annosum decomposition of pine and spruce wood? A comparison to Phlebiopsis gigantea

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This research examined how three wood-decomposing fungi interact when competing for the same wood resources. Scientists tested whether Ischnoderma benzoinum helps or hinders the harmful root rot fungus Heterobasidion annosum in pine and spruce forests. They found that the outcome depends on which fungus isolates are involved and which tree species is affected, with some combinations showing strong competition while others showed cooperative decomposition.

Whole-genome sequencing of global forest pathogen Diplodia sapinea causing pine shoot blight

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Scientists have sequenced the complete genome of Diplodia sapinea, a fungus that causes serious disease in pine trees worldwide. This fungus normally lives harmlessly inside healthy pine trees but becomes dangerous during stressful conditions like droughts or storms. The new genome information will help scientists understand how this pathogen works and develop better ways to prevent and control the disease in forests.

Optimized protocol for culturing and extracting DNA from fungal isolates associated with brown spot needle blight in pine trees

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Scientists developed an optimized method for growing brown spot needle blight fungi from infected pine needles and extracting their DNA for research. They tested four different growth media and four DNA extraction techniques to find the best combination. Sabouraud dextrose medium combined with a CTAB-based extraction method containing polyvinylpyrrolidone worked best, producing high-quality DNA suitable for advanced genetic studies. This standardized approach will help researchers better understand this important forest disease.

Controlled inoculation provides insight into western redcedar resistance to multiple root- and butt-rot pathogens

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Western redcedar is an economically important tree species suffering from fungal diseases that cause wood decay and significant financial losses. Researchers developed controlled methods to test how resistant young redcedar trees are to eight different decay fungi, finding that some fungi are much more damaging than others. Importantly, they discovered that some infections remain hidden without visible symptoms but still harm tree growth, and these hidden infections can be detected using advanced DNA-based methods. This research will help forest managers and breeders develop redcedar varieties with better disease resistance.

Research Keyword: forest disease