Mycorrhizal fungi – mycolab.ai

Soil polluted system shapes endophytic fungi communities associated with Arundo donax: a field experiment

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Mining activities pollute soils with heavy metals and red mud waste, damaging ecosystems and making plant growth difficult. This study examined fungi living inside the roots of Arundo donax, a hardy plant that survives in polluted soils, grown in three soil types: clean, heavy metal-contaminated, and red mud-contaminated. The researchers found that fungal communities changed based on the type of pollution, with a fungus called Pleosporales sp. thriving in red mud and showing promise for helping clean up contaminated soils. This research suggests that understanding these beneficial fungi could improve strategies for using plants to remediate polluted environments.

Cultivation and mycelium production from spore suspensions of desert truffles: prospective use as inoculum for host plants in arid zones

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Desert truffles are valuable edible fungi that grow in arid regions and have health benefits. This research successfully grew two desert truffle species (Terfezia boudieri and Tirmania nivea) in laboratory conditions using standard culture media. The study found that potato dextrose agar was the best medium for rapid growth, while both media supported good mycelial development. This breakthrough could enable large-scale production of truffle inoculum for reforestation programs in Morocco’s degraded desert areas.

Diversity and effect of Trichoderma isolated from the roots of Pinus densiflora within the fairy ring of pine mushroom (Tricholoma matsutake)

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This research examines the different types of Trichoderma fungi found in soil and roots where pine mushrooms grow. Scientists identified nine different Trichoderma species and tested how their chemical compounds affect pine mushroom growth. Some Trichoderma species helped pine mushrooms grow better, while others hindered growth. These findings suggest that managing beneficial Trichoderma could help improve pine mushroom cultivation in the future.

Cultivation and mycelium production from spore suspensions of desert truffles: prospective use as inoculum for host plants in arid zones

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Scientists successfully grew two types of desert truffles from Morocco in the laboratory using simple growth materials. By placing spores in potato dextrose agar or malt extract agar, they were able to produce substantial amounts of fungal threads (mycelium) within a week. This achievement is important because these truffles can now be used to help restore desert soils and grow edible mushrooms in arid regions, providing food and income for communities while fighting desertification.

Integrated peloton and fruiting body isotope data shed light on mycoheterotrophic interactions in Gastrodia pubilabiata (Orchidaceae)

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Some orchids don’t photosynthesize and instead get their nutrients directly from fungi they associate with. This study examined an unusual orchid species whose roots grow in direct contact with mushroom fruiting bodies. By analyzing the chemical signatures of different parts of this system, researchers confirmed that examining fungal threads extracted from orchid roots accurately reflects the fungal partner’s composition, validating a method that helps scientists study these fascinating plant-fungus partnerships when mushrooms cannot be easily found.

Mycelial traits and GRSP in enhancing soil stability on cold region highway slopes: Comparative effects of three shrub species

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Researchers studied how fungal networks and proteins in soil help stabilize highway slopes in cold regions. They tested three shrub species on gentle and steep slopes, finding that plants with extensive fungal networks (especially Amorpha fruticosa) were most effective. Interestingly, on steeper slopes, the physical structure of fungal threads was more important than chemical binding proteins, while gentler slopes benefited from both mechanisms working together.

A high-quality genome assembly of Lactarius hatsudake strain JH5

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Scientists have completed a detailed genetic blueprint of the red milk mushroom (Lactarius hatsudake), an edible and medicinal fungus that grows in pine forests. This mushroom is nutritious and has been shown to help with diabetes, boost immunity, and fight harmful bacteria. The new genetic map is much more complete and detailed than previous versions, which will help farmers grow these valuable mushrooms more reliably and sustainably, and could lead to developing better varieties.

Towards understanding the impact of mycorrhizal fungal environments on the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems

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This research examines how different types of fungal partners of plants affect soil health and function. Scientists propose a new framework called mycorrhizal fungal environments (MyFE) to better understand how these underground fungi influence carbon storage, nutrient cycling, and overall soil properties. They introduced a large-scale experiment called Mycotron to study three main types of mycorrhizal fungi and their distinct impacts on soil processes, which could help us better manage soils in response to climate change.

Metagenomics and In Vitro Growth-Promoting Experiments Revealed the Potential Roles of Mycorrhizal Fungus Humicolopsis cephalosporioides and Helper Bacteria in Cheilotheca humilis Growth

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Scientists studied a rare white plant called Cheilotheca humilis that cannot make its own food through photosynthesis and instead relies on fungi to survive. Using advanced DNA sequencing and laboratory experiments, they discovered that a special fungus called Humicolopsis cephalosporioides and several types of helpful bacteria work together to provide the plant with essential carbon and nutrients. This research reveals how these invisible microbial partners make it possible for this unusual plant to grow and thrive.

Research Keyword: Mycorrhizal fungi