Research Keyword: metabarcoding

Alliance Between Conifer Trees and Endophytic Fungi Against Insect Defoliators

mycolabadmin

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.

Read More »

Progression of saproxylic fungal communities in fine woody debris in boreal forests of Oulanka, Finland, assessed by DNA metabarcoding

mycolabadmin

Researchers used a novel method called MycoPins—sterilized wooden pins buried in forest soil—combined with DNA analysis to identify and track fungal communities decomposing dead wood in Finnish boreal forests. Over one year, they found 215 fungal species colonizing these pins across three different forest types. Notably, 41 of these species had never been recorded in the region before, showing that DNA-based methods can reveal fungal diversity that traditional observation methods miss.

Read More »

Pomegranate Woody Mycobiota Associated with Wood Decay

mycolabadmin

Pomegranate growers in Italy are facing a serious disease called wood decay syndrome that kills young trees. Researchers found that multiple fungi, especially Neofusicoccum parvum and several Diaporthe species, working together cause this disease. Cold winter temperatures appear to weaken the trees, making them vulnerable to these fungal infections. Using both traditional lab methods and modern DNA analysis, scientists identified the fungi and confirmed which ones are most dangerous.

Read More »

Microbial communities inhabiting the surface and gleba of white (Tuber magnatum) and black (Tuber macrosporum) truffles from Russia

mycolabadmin

This research identifies the various microorganisms living inside truffles, particularly Tuber magnatum (white truffle) and Tuber macrosporum (black truffle). The study found that a yeast-like fungus called Geotrichum consistently lives in both truffle types and likely helps with spore dispersal through smell-producing compounds. The researchers discovered that different parts of the truffle have different microbial communities, which explains why truffles have such unique flavors and aromas.

Read More »
Scroll to Top