Enhanced plant growth

Roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in plant growth and disease management for sustainable agriculture

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial fungi that live in plant roots and form a mutually beneficial relationship with plants. These fungi help plants absorb more nutrients and water from the soil, strengthen their natural defenses against diseases and pests, and work together with other helpful soil bacteria to create disease-suppressive soil. This makes AMF a promising natural alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.

Selected rhizobacteria strains improved the tolerance of Vicia faba plants to microcystins contaminated irrigation water and reduced human health risk

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Farmers in semi-arid regions like Morocco often irrigate crops with water containing toxic cyanobacterial compounds called microcystins, which accumulate in food crops and harm human health. This study showed that inoculating faba bean plants with beneficial soil bacteria, particularly Achromobacter marplatensis, reduced microcystin accumulation in plants by 36% and promoted healthier plant growth despite contaminated water. The approach offers an affordable, sustainable solution to protect food crops in areas with microcystin-contaminated irrigation water.

Endophytic Beauveria spp. Enhance Tomato Growth and Resistance to Botrytis cinerea via Transcriptomic Regulation

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Researchers tested five types of beneficial fungi from the Beauveria genus to see if they could help tomato plants grow better and resist gray mold disease. They found that all five species could live inside tomato plants and help them grow taller. Most importantly, the fungus Beauveria brongniartii completely protected plants from gray mold infection. By examining which genes were activated in the plants, scientists discovered that these fungi boost the plant’s natural defense systems while also improving photosynthesis.

Changes in the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Community in the Roots of Eucalyptus grandis Plantations at Different Ages in Southern Jiangxi, China

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This research examines how fungal partnerships with eucalyptus tree roots change as plantations age. Scientists found that two dominant fungal types, Paraglomus and Glomus, shift in abundance depending on the plantation age and soil nutrient levels. The study reveals that proper fertilization timing and understanding fungal communities can help improve plantation management and tree productivity in nutrient-poor soils.

Synergistic curative effects of Trichoderma hamatum and Rumex dentatus against Alternaria alternata, the causal agent of tomato leaf spot disease

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This research discovered that combining a beneficial fungus called Trichoderma hamatum with an extract from Rumex dentatus plant effectively controls tomato leaf spot disease. When used together, these natural treatments reduced disease by over 88% and even outperformed commercial fungicides. The combined treatment also boosted plant health by increasing growth and natural defense mechanisms, offering farmers an affordable and environmentally safe alternative to chemical pesticides.

Development and Transfer of Microbial Agrobiotechnologies in Contrasting Agrosystems: Experience of Kazakhstan and China

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Microbial consortia—communities of beneficial microorganisms—offer promising solutions to modern agriculture’s challenges by enhancing plant growth, improving stress tolerance, and restoring soil health. China has successfully integrated these microbial products into farming through strong government support and research infrastructure, while Kazakhstan has the scientific knowledge but faces funding and implementation challenges. This comparative study shows that adopting these technologies requires both scientific advancement and practical support systems tailored to each country’s specific needs.

Draft genome sequences of five endophytic fungi isolated from Lactuca serriola, a wild relative of cultivated lettuce

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Researchers sequenced the genomes of five fungal species found living inside wild lettuce plants collected in Arizona. These endophytic fungi can potentially improve the growth and disease resistance of cultivated lettuce. The study identified genetic clusters that produce compounds similar to known natural products, which could affect how these fungi interact with plants. This genomic information provides a foundation for future research into using these beneficial fungi as natural inoculants for improving lettuce crops.

Phosphorus-solubilizing fungi improve growth and P nutrition in sorghum at variable salinity levels

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Researchers discovered five types of salt-tolerant fungi that help plants absorb phosphorus even in salty soils. When these fungi were applied to sorghum plants grown in salt-affected soils, the plants grew better and absorbed more phosphorus. The most effective fungus, Penicillium oxalicum, worked by releasing organic acids and other compounds that made phosphorus more available to plants. This discovery offers a promising natural alternative to chemical fertilizers for farming in salt-affected regions.

Diversity and Community Structure of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from the Brown Seaweed Sargassum thunbergii in Coastal Regions of Korea

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Researchers collected brown seaweed samples from six coastal regions in Korea and identified 84 different fungal species living inside the seaweed tissues. These endophytic fungi help protect the seaweed by producing defensive chemicals and improving its ability to withstand environmental stress. The study found that water temperature and oxygen levels in the seawater significantly influence which types of fungi are present in each region, with the Tongyeong region hosting the most diverse fungal community.

Phosphorus-solubilizing fungi improve growth and P nutrition in sorghum at variable salinity levels

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Researchers discovered special salt-loving fungi that can help crops absorb more phosphorus even in salty soils. These fungi produce organic acids and other compounds that unlock phosphorus trapped in soil, making it available for plants. When sorghum seeds were treated with these fungi, the plants grew better and absorbed more phosphorus, even under high salinity conditions. This discovery offers a sustainable way to improve crop production in salt-affected soils without relying heavily on chemical fertilizers.

therapeutic action: Enhanced plant growth