Some of the most important agricultural pests are insects, and their control using biological methods is an environmentally friendly alternative that also contributes to the protection of biodiversity and human health. The use of entomopathogenic fungi has shown effectiveness against different insect crop pests. It is worth mentioning that fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are widely studied for their entomopathogenic capacity, with many studies being conducted to increase their production and the virulence of their conidia. The mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) is the most commonly used insect to evaluate the infectivity of some entomopathogenic fungi because of its ease of reproduction in the laboratory. In this study, the conidia production of M. anisopliae cultivated in different culture media was investigated; subsequently, the infectivity of the conidia against T. molitor was evaluated. Eight culture media were used for conidia production, three of which were commercial, namely potato dextrose agar, malt extract agar, and Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), and five were laboratory-prepared formulations. In general, commercial culture media showed the best results in terms of conidia production. The SDA medium was the best, as it showed the highest conidia production (7.7 × 108 conidia/cm2) and was one of the media that showed the lowest median lethal time (LT50) value (5.54 days). The quantity and virulence of M. anisopliae conidia differed depending on the culture medium used, with commercial agars favoring higher values for both parameters evaluated in this study.
During a survey of the high-value fungal diversity in Yunnan, China, a new species of Tuber was identified on the basis of its morphological characteristics and combined molecular analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA (nrLSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α), and RNA polymerase II subunit (rpb2) data. The novel species is characterized by small ascomata with a distinct cavity. The ascospores are covered with free apical spines and low ridges, forming an irregular reticulum 5–7 meshes across the spore width. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods showed a distinct position of the new species among known species belonging to the group Melanosporum, with significant statistical support. Color photographs of the ascomata, micromorphological structures based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the ascospores, and an updated phylogenetic tree of Tuber are also provided in this study.
Myxomycetes (Myxogastria) commonly fruit on decaying organic matter, where they exploit moist, microbe-rich substrates. Macrofungal fruiting bodies and fungus-structured detritus can function as persistent microhabitats that retain moisture and concentrate microbial prey, and may increase opportunities for encounter between myxomycetes and macrofungi. We conducted a structured evidence synthesis of published field records, cultivation reports, and experimental studies to characterise associations between myxomycetes, macrofungal fruiting bodies, and fungus-structured detritus across forest systems and mushroom production environments. The synthesis compiled 45 evidence entries from 38 distinct evidence-bearing sources. Forest reports indicate repeated co-occurrence of myxomycetes with wood-inhabiting macrofungi, including sporocarp formation directly on basidiomata as well as on adjacent, fungus-structured deadwood. Cultivation environments can increase opportunities for contact, and cultivation reports describe fruiting body deterioration or competitive surface colonisation associated with reduced cropping, whereas experimental studies demonstrate attraction of plasmodia to fungal cues, digestion of fungal mycelia in feeding assays, and inhibition of selected fungi by myxomycete secretions in vitro. Overall, the available evidence supports a gradient from shared-habitat associations to context-dependent antagonism. Most records remain descriptive and are better explained by indirect, substrate-mediated coupling than by obligate parasitism.
Agaricus subrufescens is a valuable mushroom for commercial and health purposes due to its bioactive compounds and culinary use. Different genotypes exhibit distinct growth patterns, enzyme profiles, and fruiting strategies. This study evaluated four strains—French CA487, Brazilian CA454, Thai CA918, and a hybrid (CA454 × CA487)—cultivated on wheat straw–horse manure compost under controlled conditions to assess strain-specific development and enzymatic traits. Fruiting body formation, yield, and extracellular enzyme activities (manganese peroxidase, laccase, β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, CMCase, xylanase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis) were monitored throughout the cultivation cycle alongside hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation. CA487 showed the earliest primordia and fruiting body development, producing ~830 fruiting bodies with a fresh weight of 12–12.5 kg, while CA454 had a limited yield. The hybrid displayed improved performance, suggesting targeted breeding can combine favorable traits. Enzyme activity was strongly influenced by strain and developmental stage: hydrolytic enzymes peaked during substrate colonization and primordia formation, whereas laccase activity was highest during fruiting body maturation. H2O2 levels initially increased during mycelial growth, slightly decreased during primordia formation, and peaked at full maturation. The Thai strain CA918 consistently showed high hydrolytic and lytic enzyme activity, reflecting versatile substrate utilization and developmental strategies. These results highlight the critical role of genotype and enzymatic regulation in optimizing A. subrufescens cultivation, improving yield, and maximizing its biotechnological potential.
Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed) is a widely distributed and harmful weed in Russia. The fungal strains MF-SOR 61.20.1 and MF-SOR 61.20.2 were isolated from the visually healthy leaves of C. arvensis collected in northwest Russia (Saint Petersburg, Pushkin) and initially identified by morphological features as Diaporthe sp. The aim of this study was to identify these strains using molecular genetic, micromorphological, and cultural characteristics, and to assess their pathogenicity. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis, based on sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA, as well as partial calmodulin (cal), histone 3 (his3), translation elongation factor 1α (tef1), and β-tubulin (tub2), allowed definitive identification of these strains as Diaporthe convolvuli. Pathogenicity assays demonstrated that strains were pathogenic to C. arvensis, causing necrosis on leaf segments under laboratory conditions. The pathogenicity was confirmed by reisolation of D. convolvuli from infected leaves. To our knowledge, this is the first finding of this fungus in Russia (Saint Petersburg, Pushkin). This study provides the first description, refinement, and comprehensive illustration of the fungus's cultural and micromorphological characteristics since 1988.
Tubulin Polymerization Promoting Proteins (TPPPs) are a family of proteins whose occurrence is closely correlated with the presence of eukaryotic flagellum/cilium. This relationship is also observed in fungi, where these proteins are only found in species of early-branching, non-terrestrial phyla that usually reproduce by flagellated zoospores. The defining structural unit of these proteins is the p25alpha domain. TPPP paralogs differ in the length of this domain and the number of times it occurs in the protein. The paper systematically examines the occurrence of different types of TPPPs in the phyla of fungi, discussing the phylogenetic relationships between them. The types found in fungi are long TPPP, which has one full-length p25alpha domain; double long TPPP, which has two copies of the domain; and fungal type, in which the second p25alpha domain has only the C-terminal part. Of the latter, two different paralogs exist; one is found in several fungal phyla, while the other is found only in the order Chytridiales (phylum Chytridiomycota). Phylogenetic analysis has shown that although the second fungal type paralog occurs only in this single order, it is not the result of a duplication within the order. Furthermore, the phylogenetic trees of TPPPs generally agree with the species phylogeny. In several cases where the classification of individual species has been disputed, the phylogenetic tree of TPPPs confirms recent phylogenomic results (e.g., in Blyttiomyces, Entophlyctis, Cladochytrium, Phlyctochytrium genera). Finally, it can be noted that TPPPs are present in the early diverging lineages of fungi, mostly associated with the presence of a flagellum, but they are absent in terrestrial (non-flagellated) fungi.
Mushrooms are a crucial component of forest ecosystems and play a significant role in human diets, traditions, and livelihoods, although their use and perceptions differ among communities. This study explores the ethnomycological knowledge, consumption patterns, and perceptions of wild and commercially available mushrooms within the Kandy District of Sri Lanka. Data were collected through structured interviews and questionnaires with 115 respondents from 10 randomly selected localities, representing diverse demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds. In total, 56 males and 59 females were surveyed as informants in the study. The findings revealed that 65% of respondents prefer wild edible mushrooms for their superior taste, nutritional value, and perceived absence of chemical additives, whereas 35% prefer commercially available mushrooms, possibly because of ease of access. Commonly consumed wild species include Termitomyces sp. (veli hathu), Volvariella volvacea (piduru bimmal/piduru hathu), and Schizophyllum commune (lena hathu), whereas the commercial market is dominated by species such as Pleurotus cystidiosus (abalone mushroom) and Agaricus bisporus (button mushroom), according to the respondents. The results show that older respondents have greater awareness of wild mushrooms than younger respondents. Interviewees highlighted the need for programs to raise awareness of mushrooms, including training in accurate identification, cultivation, and preservation techniques. Moreover, the findings indicate that mushrooms currently play an insignificant role in local medicine, as most informants demonstrated limited awareness of the medicinal properties of mushrooms. The results further highlight the significance of combining indigenous knowledge with modern approaches to domesticate mushrooms for economic and nutritional benefits, emphasizing the importance of traditional knowledge and practices, while addressing knowledge gaps and enhancing public awareness.
Hot caves represent thermally influenced subterranean habitats where microbial communities may be shaped by elevated temperature and guano-driven nutrient inputs. We surveyed cultivable heat-selected fungi from three Puerto Rico caves (Cueva Culebrones, Cueva Matos, and Cueva Tuna) by incubating soil suspensions at 25 °C (control), 75 °C, or 90 °C for 30 min, followed by cultivation on antibiotic-supplemented media and ITS rDNA sequencing. We recovered 34 thermoresistant isolates, including eight from 75 °C, and 26 from 90 °C treatments, dominated by Eurotialean taxa (e.g., Aspergillus, Penicillium, Talaromyces), along with Cladosporium, Paecilomyces, Trichoderma, Periconia, and one Rhodotorula. Several isolates showed < 95% ITS similarity to described taxa, suggesting potentially undescribed lineages, and some identifications were conservatively retained at the genus level where ITS resolution was limited. This study provides the first targeted inventory of heat-selected fungi from Puerto Rico hot caves and highlights these habitats as reservoirs of unexplored fungal diversity.
Fungi inhabiting marine environments often exhibit physiological and biochemical traits that enable survival in saline conditions, distinguishing them from many terrestrial counterparts. The presence of soluble osmolytes, affinity for sodium ions, and streamlined genomes aid marine biota to survive hypertonic environments. With the rise in anthropogenic activities, marine biota face multiple stresses that demand immediate acclimation and adaptation. This study evaluated the cellular responses of a marine-derived fungal isolate to variable salinities and Cr+6 concentrations using peptide mass fingerprinting on an LC-MS-MS QToF. The whole-cell proteins were extracted and digested with trypsin. A total of 659 proteins across nine variable conditions, including salinity (0, 35, 100 PSU) and Cr+6 (0, 100, 500 mg/L), were detected. Fifty-three housekeeping proteins were expressed across all conditions, categorised into carbohydrate metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, genetic information processing, and cellular processes using KEGG pathways. Variation in salinity led to the expression of proteins associated with DNA damage control and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) scavenging mechanisms, whereas an increase in Cr+6 concentration triggered the expression of proteins involved in enzymatic reduction and in transport/metal efflux. Thioredoxin expression was upregulated with fold change values of 5.011 and 5.032 at 100, and 500 mg/L Cr+6 at 35 PSU, and 2.358 and 1.839 at the same Cr+6 concentrations at 100 PSU. This indicated that upregulation of ROS-scavenging proteins was the predominant mechanism used by A. terreus under elevated Cr+6 and salt concentrations. This study observed the expression of multiple stress tolerance mechanisms to combat the synergistic effects of salt and Cr+6.
DNA barcoding is today a standard method used for species identification, preferably in conjunction with supporting morphological data. Here, we employed DNA barcoding using the highly conserved nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region to identify a large set of dried fungal sporocarp specimens that were collected in Guyana between 1982 and 2005. Nearly half of the 551 specimen collections sampled lacked determination below family level (indets). Our study yielded 103 ITS barcode sequences and resulted in the identification of 11 species and 3 genera previously not recorded in Guyana. Thirty-three of the indets were identified to the species level and another five were identified to the generic level. None of the ITS sequences generated in this study represented potentially undescribed species. Our study highlights the importance of fungarium reference specimens as sources of reliable reference barcode sequences for accurate species identification of unknown source DNA. Future barcoding efforts would benefit greatly from utilizing a multilocus approach and next-generation sequencing platforms.
Agricultural wastes raise concerns about their harmful environmental impacts, particularly when they accumulate and are not effectively managed. In this study, the potential of using coffee husk (CH), and cacao pod husk (CPH), two typical agricultural waste products were investigated, as safe alternatives to conventional fungicides against Neopestalotiopsis hispanica and Fusarium oxysporum. The effectiveness of these agricultural wastes' ethanolic extracts in inhibiting fungal growth was examined in vitro. Phytochemical compound screening revealed the presence of anthraquinones, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids in both extracts. The CPH and CH extracts showed a high rate of fungal growth inhibition against N. hispanica, which reduced mycelial growth by up to 66.62% and 59.02%, respectively. However, F. oxysporum only showed a reduction in mycelial growth up to 24.45% when exposed to CH extract, whereas CPH only caused a reduction of 6.30%. Despite the low inhibition rate, the colony morphology of F. oxysporum changed noticeably, especially as extract concentrations increased. These findings contribute to our knowledge of the potential antifungal properties of agricultural waste extracts, which may be used to control fungal diseases in a variety of crops.
Phytopathogenic fungi infections can harm plant hosts' physiology, phenotype, and productibility. An emerging threat to agricultural productivity is Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, an opportunistic yet destructive fungus belonging to the family Botryosphaeriaceae. This fungus infects woody trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, mainly in the tropics and subtropics. It causes diseases, including cankers, diebacks, shoot blights, leaf blights, fruit rots, root rots, and gummosis. Nevertheless, the name N. dimidiatum is perhaps more globally associated with 'stem canker' in dragon fruit (Selenicereus spp.). Pathogen detection is initially done with symptom recognition in the field and confirmed through laboratory morphological and molecular (DNA-based assay) analysis. Because the pathogen thrives well in hot and humid conditions, climate change is an important factor in the rapid spread of the pathogen and severe symptom development in different crops. Effective disease management strategies at the field or commercial farm level have yet to be implemented, but recent studies have yielded promising results. Sanitation of infected debris, increasing the vigor of plants, and fungicide application remain the best available management and control of stem canker caused by N. dimidiatum. Nevertheless, identifying and developing sustainable disease control measures remains important. This review paper focuses on the current knowledge of the taxonomy, biology, pathogenicity, host range (with emphasis on dragon fruits), detection, and identification of N. dimidiatum and its current disease control measures.
Despite the critical ecological role fungi play across various ecosystems, the mycoflora of dry-hot valleys remains largely underexplored. This study aims to fill this gap by documenting the diversity and taxonomy of microfungal species in this unique environment. Employing a combination of field sampling, morphological analysis, and molecular techniques, the study conducted a comprehensive survey of microfungi in selected dry-hot valleys of the Honghe region in Yunnan (China). The findings reveal a rich and previously undocumented diversity of Dothideomycetes (Ascomycota). Among the collected samples, 34.9% of the Dothideomycetes isolates were identified as new species described in this study. The identified microfungi belong to six orders encompassing 18 families and 26 genera. A total of 34 microfungal taxa are documented, including two new families, two new genera, 15 new species, and 15 existing records. During this study, Mangifericomitaceae (Pleosporales) and Mucomycosphaerellaceae (Mycosphaerellales) are introduced as new families. Gruyteromyces and Longiascospora are introduced as new genera in Didymellaceae (Pleosporales) and Pleurotremataceae (Dyfrolomycetales), respectively. The study also introduces new species: Anteaglonium hongheense, Anthosulcatispora hongheensis, Chromolaenicola hongheensis, Gruyteromyces hongheensis, Helminthosporium hongheense, Longiascospora hongheensis, Magnibotryascoma hongheense, Mangifericomes yunnanensis, Mucomycosphaerella hongheensis, Neomultiseptospora hongheensis, Paulkirkia hongheensis, Pseudocapulatispora hongheensis, Pseudochaetosphaeronema hongheense, P. punithalingamii, and Pseudostaurosphaeria hongheensis. Aplosporella artocarpi, A. hesperidica, Chromolaenicola clematidis, Dendryphion hydei, Leptospora phraeana, Murichromolaenicola thailandensis, Neomultiseptospora yunnanensis, Neoroussoella bambusae, Neovaginatispora fuckelii, Paraphaeosphaeria jaguarinae, Patellaria microspora, Pseudocapulatispora longiappendiculata, Rhytidhysteron neorufulum, Tremateia guiyangensis, and Xenoroussoella triseptata, reported as new records. These results highlight the significance of dry-hot valleys as reservoirs of fungal biodiversity and highlight the importance of including these ecosystems in conservation strategies. This study contributes to the expanding knowledge on fungal diversity in extreme environments and calls attention to the need for further research into the ecological roles and potential applications of these neglected mycoflora.
Coprinellus mushrooms, belonging to the family Psathyrellaceae, are saprotrophic fungi that grow on decaying plant material, including wood, leaves, grass, and ruminant dung. These mushrooms are widely distributed and extensively studied worldwide. Given the potential of Coprinellus, this review aims to present their distribution, biological compounds, and bioactivities, highlighting their industrial applications and identifying gaps for future research. Accordingly, this review provides a comprehensive checklist of 67 Coprinellus species, with the USA representing the country with the highest number of recorded species. At the same time, Coprinellus disseminatus is identified as the most widely distributed species. Moreover, 51 bioactive compounds, including sugar alcohols, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives, coumarins, organic acids, sugars, and sesquiterpenes have been identified in eight Coprinellus species. Furthermore, 12 distinct bioactivities have been reported across three species, including antifungal, stimulation of seed germination, biobleaching, antiproliferative activity, antioxidant properties, cytotoxicity, lignocellulolytic activity, biotransformation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin, antidiabetic potential, anticholinesterase activity, anti-tyrosinase effects, and anti-inflammatory properties. Overall, Coprinellus mushrooms are rich in bioactive compounds with significant nutritional and medicinal potential. The documented compounds and bioactivities provide a crucial foundation for their effective use in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. However, despite their rich bioactive potential, only eight species have been studied in detail. Therefore, further research is recommended to investigate novel bioactivities in other Coprinellus species and optimize their industrial applications.
The genus Puccinia comprises the most important plant pathogenic fungal spp. that seriously threaten the world's food security by causing the most damaging diseases on various crops. The present study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global trends in Puccinia research, mapping scientific output, publications, citations, scientific collaboration networks, research trends, and major topics. The data required for bibliometric analysis were retrieved from the Scopus database, processed using VOSviewer (Version 1.6.20), and R software, combined with the Bibliometrix package (Version 4.5.1). Three main categories were examined in the bibliometric analysis: research trends and burning topics, scientific publications and citations, and scientific collaboration networks. Analysis of the information obtained from the Scopus database regarding the rust genus 'Puccinia' revealed that 6,851 authors published a total of 2,246 papers, with 82,644 references, across 445 sources (journals). According to the analysis, there were 6.39 co-authors per document, or 32.1% worldwide co-authorship. The majority of the literature is recent, as indicated by the average age of the publications, which is 10.2 years. Furthermore, documents display an average of 22.73 citations per publication, demonstrating the significance and importance of the research. These bibliometric insights provide a strategic overview of Puccinia research, and highlight areas that warrant further study, such as diversification beyond well-examined species, and enhanced international collaboration to address new and emerging threats.
Aspergillus terreus is increasingly recognised as a pathogen in individuals with compromised immune systems. Given its inherent resistance to amphotericin B and development of resistance to azoles, echinocandins, and other antifungal treatments, the current study investigates the efficacy of geldanamycin (GA), a Heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 inhibitor, against A. terreus, highlighting its potential as a dual-action therapeutic agent for both fungal infections and cancer. Using the [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) and food poison technique, the 50% minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC50) of GA was calculated and its antifungal properties were assessed against A. terreus. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to study the expression profile of Hsp90 and Hsp70 during the treatment, whereas reactive oxygen species were estimated using the fluorescent probe dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA). Molecular docking using AutoDockTools was carried to assess GA's interaction with Hsp70 and Hsp90 proteins. GA exhibited potent antifungal activity with an MIC50 of 11 µg/mL. A 30.14% reduction in mycelial growth was observed in GA-treated plates compared with the untreated controls. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed significant downregulation of Hsp90 (~0.39-fold) and upregulation of Hsp70 (~8.93-fold) in response to treatment. GA also induced a notable increase in intracellular ROS levels. Molecular docking confirmed stable binding of GA to both Hsp90 and Hsp70, with multiple hydrogen bonds contributing to its high affinity and specificity. These findings highlight the promising antifungal potential of GA against A. terreus, likely mediated through Hsp disruption and oxidative stress induction. Given its established anticancer properties, GA represents a candidate for dual-action therapy. However, its known cytotoxicity warrants further studies to optimize its safety and therapeutic efficacy.
This study unravels the symbionts of the lichenized fungus Diorygma aeolum with its Trentepohlia photobiont from the Western Ghats (India). Phylogenetic positioning of the mycobiont and photobiont was assessed by integrating morphology, thallus chemistry, and DNA sequence data. In the phylogenetic analysis of the mycobiont using mtSSU, nuLSU, and RPB2 sequences, D. aeolum was placed in a clade closely related to D. karnatakense. Based on the study, the species D. albovirescens and D. saxicola under D. aeolum were synonymized by re-examining type material and protologue. The ITS-based phylogenetic analysis placed its photobiont Trentepohlia sp. in a clade containing the unidentified Trentepohlia isolates TreFl63 (from Graphis sp., Brazil), TreFl149 (from Arthonia atra, UK), S16_Gp (from Graphis propinqua, Argentina), TreFl51 (from Diorygma pruinosum, Brazil), and TreFl61 (from Graphis sp., Brazil), suggesting this clade to be entirely lichenized.
Fungal plant diseases account for more than half of the plant disease records in the Philippines. The fungal species in the genus Colletotrichum are among the most well-studied fungi due to their multifaceted lifestyle, ubiquitous nature, and, more importantly, their role as pathogens of economically important plants. Colletotrichum species are responsible for the destructive plant disease known as anthracnose. Successful management of anthracnose starts with accurately identifying the causative agent. This paper examined data from databases and scholarly outputs to provide a checklist of Colletotrichum species associated with plant diseases in the Philippines. Records show 55 Colletotrichum species (36 belonging to ten species complexes, two singleton species, and 17 morphospecies), and 12 unidentified Colletotrichum species, hosted by 106 plant species, with anthracnose as the primary disease. The Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex had the highest number of species reported. The checklist will be useful as a reference for students, lecturers, researchers, plant quarantine officers, growers, and decision/policy-makers. This checklist provides an understanding of the country's current diversity of Colletotrichum species, forms baseline information for future taxonomic studies in unexplored regions, and a reference for future discovery of new plant hosts.
Air pollution from fossil fuel combustion poses environmental and health risks, particularly in energy-deficient regions where generator use is prevalent. This study assessed air quality in a generator house at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) using handheld air monitoring devices and the Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom as a bioindicator. Air quality parameters, including NOx, SOx, CO, H2S, O3, and VOCs, were measured using portable monitors, alongside meteorological factors. After seven days, Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID) was used to analyze the accumulation of TPH and PAH in the mushrooms. Results showed elevated VOCs (0.016 ppm), CO (0.034 ppm), O3 (0.03 ppm), and suspended particulate matter (37.5 µg/m3) around the generator house, while NOx, SOx, and H2S were below detectable limits. Hydrocarbon bioaccumulation was highest in mushrooms placed 2 and 3 m from the generator exhaust (TPH: 25.509 ppm; PAHs: significant benzo(a)pyrene levels), decreasing with distance. These findings demonstrate Pleurotus ostreatus as a viable bioindicator for airborne pollutants and indicate the need for improved ventilation in generator houses to reduce occupational exposure risks. Future studies should investigate long-term pollutant effects, seasonal variations in air pollutants, and responses of other fungal species to enhance environmental monitoring.
