Ecological – Page 71

Isolation, Identification, Biological Characterization, and Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Fungus from the Larvae of the Evergestis extimalis (Scopoli) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

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Researchers discovered a naturally occurring fungus called Mucor hiemalis that can kill Evergestis extimalis, a pest that damages rapeseed crops. They identified optimal growing conditions for this fungus and tested its effectiveness against different life stages of the pest. The fungus proved highly effective, especially against younger larvae, offering a promising natural alternative to chemical pesticides for crop protection.

Impact of bottom ash addition on Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation on coffee ground substrate

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This study investigated growing oyster mushrooms on a mixture of used coffee grounds and coal plant bottom ash. The researchers found that adding small amounts of bottom ash (1-5%) slowed mushroom growth slightly but actually reduced harmful heavy metals in the final mushrooms compared to using only coffee grounds. The leftover substrate after mushroom harvest could be used as a fertilizer for poor soils, creating a complete recycling system that turns industrial and food waste into useful products.

Hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous phase mycoremediation to increase inorganic nitrogen availability

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This research shows that a common mushroom fungus called Trametes versicolor can clean up wastewater produced during the conversion of food waste into biofuel. The fungus transforms hard-to-use nitrogen compounds in the waste into forms that plants can absorb. After three days of treatment, the nitrogen that plants can use increased dramatically. When bacteria known for converting ammonia to nitrate were added to the fungal treatment, the results improved even more, suggesting this waste could eventually be recycled as a fertilizer for growing plants in water-based farming systems.

Advances in submerged liquid fermentation and formulation of entomopathogenic fungi

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This paper reviews how scientists are improving the production of natural fungal pesticides that kill insect pests. Instead of growing fungi on grains in bags, researchers are using large fermentation tanks similar to those used in food and beverage production. These tanks can produce beneficial fungal cells more quickly and efficiently, with better quality control and safety. The paper discusses different types of fungal cells produced, how to make them stable for storage and field use, and how this technology could replace older production methods worldwide.

An experimental approach to study foraging memory in ectomycorrhizal mycelium

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Researchers tested whether mushroom fungi can remember where they found food by exposing fungal cultures to pea nutrients and then transferring them to fresh medium to see if they would grow toward where the food had been. The fungi did not show this memory behavior, but the study revealed that chemical compounds from the peas influenced fungal growth patterns. This work provides valuable tools and insights for studying how fungi perceive and respond to their environment, emphasizing the importance of publishing negative results to advance scientific understanding.

Morpho-molecular analyses reveal two novel species and two new records of Dictyosporiaceae (Pleosporales) from Dulongjiang River in northwestern Yunnan Province, China

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Scientists discovered and identified four new or newly recorded fungal species from a river in China’s Yunnan Province. These fungi, belonging to the Dictyosporiaceae family, were found growing on submerged wood in the Dulongjiang River. By combining detailed microscopic observation with genetic analysis, researchers confirmed two completely new species and two species not previously recorded in this region, expanding our understanding of freshwater fungal diversity.

A novel mitovirus associated with the fungal entomopathogen Zoophthora radicans

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Researchers used advanced sequencing techniques to study viruses in wild pea aphids and discovered a new virus that infects a fungus that naturally kills aphids. By analyzing genetic material from field-collected aphids, they identified this virus is specifically associated with the fungus Zoophthora radicans. This discovery helps us better understand the hidden microbial world of natural insect populations and could potentially be useful for developing natural pest control methods.

The influence of mycorrhizal hyphal connections and neighbouring plants on Plantago lanceolata physiology and nutrient uptake

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Fungi that live in soil form partnerships with plant roots and can extend underground networks connecting multiple plants. In this study, plants with access to expanded fungal networks captured more carbon through photosynthesis, accumulated more nutrients like phosphorus and zinc, and released more carbon into the soil. However, whether neighboring plants were present or what type they were did not significantly change these benefits, suggesting that soil exploration volume matters more than plant-to-plant connections through fungal networks.

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.

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 Topic: Ecological