Fungi play crucial roles in the biogeochemistry of terrestrial ecosystems, most notably as saprophytes decomposing organic matter and mycorrhizal fungi enhancing plant nutrient uptake. However, a recurrent problem fungal ecology is to establish trophic status species field. Our interpretations conclusions are too often based on extrapolations from laboratory microcosm experiments or anecdotal field evidence. Here, we used natural variations stable carbon isotope ratios (δ 13 C) an approach...

Pathogenic isolates of Fusarium oxysporum, distinguished as formae speciales (f. spp.) on the basis their host specificity, cause crown rots, root rots and vascular wilts many important crops worldwide. oxysporum f. sp. cepae (FOC) is particularly problematic to onion growers worldwide increasing in prevalence UK. We characterized 31 F. collected from UK onions using pathogenicity tests, sequencing housekeeping genes identification effectors. In seedling bulb 21 were pathogenic 10...

A reference-quality assembly of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae (Foc), the causative agent onion basal rot has been generated along with genomes additional pathogenic and non-pathogenic isolates onion. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed a single origin Foc lineage. Genome alignments other F. ff. spp. non pathogens revealed high levels syntenic conservation core chromosomes but little synteny between lineage specific (LS) chromosomes. Four LS contigs in totaling 3.9 Mb were designated as...

Natural abundances of 15 N and concentrations 34 fruit bodies from 24 species ectomycorrhizal saprophytic fungi were measured in a temperate Central European mixed forest stand. The the two life forms are known to be capable utilizing different types sources (organic compounds humus, inorganic soil litter or wood) differing by their natural abundance values. Based on three sources, four functional groups distinguished: (1) organic humus; (2) depend soil; (3) saprophytes (4) dead wood litter....

SUMMARY The 15 N natural abundance and concentrations of fruit bodies from 70 species (23 genera) ectomycorrhizal fungi found in boreal forests are presented. Large intraspecific intrageneric differences were found, e.g. 8.3‰ the Dermocybe crocea 12.6‰ genus Cortinarius. In addition, significant both δ %N between different parts bodies, with cap material giving consistently higher values. Proteins amino acids enriched by 9.7±0.4‰ (mean ± 1 SE) relative to chitin, irrespective part body...

Many fungi are obligate biotrophs of plants, growing in live plant tissues, gaining direct access to recently photosynthesized carbon. Photosynthate within plants is transported from source sink tissues as sucrose, which hydrolyzed by glycosyl hydrolase family 32 enzymes (GH32) into its constituent monosaccharides meet cellular demands. A number pathogenic also use GH32 plant-derived but less known about the sucrose utilization ability mutualistic and commensal biotrophic fungi, such...

The range of hosts that a parasite can infect in nature is trait determined by its own evolutionary history and potential hosts. However, knowledge on host diversity evolution at the family level often lacking. Here, we investigate variation diversification trends within Sclerotiniaceae, Ascomycete fungi. Using phylogenetic framework, associate rates, frequency jump events during this family. Variations rate Sclerotiniaceae define three major macro-evolutionary regimes with contrasted...

Studies of effects fertilizer treatment on ectomycorrhizal fungal community structure have predominantly been based large, single additions nitrogen. involving chronic nutrients in combination with irrigation are much less common. We used morphotyping to study balanced a nutrient solution 36-year-old stand Picea abies (L.) Karst. Despite high variability among individual samples, principal components analysis revealed clear shift response fertilization. Irrigated plots receiving only water...

Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. is an obligate hemiparasitic angiosperm which can cause severe losses of yield in cereal crops the semi-arid tropics. The effects this parasite on growth and stomatal conductance three varieties maize (Zea mays L.) during first 6 weeks association have been studied. From 24 d after planting (DAP), infected plants were significantly shorter than uninfected controls. When harvested 45 DAP, had fewer fully expanded leaves, less leaf biomass pseudo-stem However,...

Fusarium oxysporum isolates collected from onions in the UK and other countries were characterized using sequences of transfer elongation factor 1‐α ( TEF ) gene compared with published sequence data for 10 isolates. Isolates associated diseased onion bulbs formed two clades. both clades selected pathogenicity testing to develop a rapid seedling assay screen commercial cultivars resistance F. f. sp. cepae (FOC), cause basal rot. Differences levels aggressiveness between observed pathogenic....

Sclerotinia stem rot ( SSR ) of oilseed rape OSR , Brassica napus ), caused by sclerotiorum is a serious problem in the UK and worldwide. As fungicide‐based control approaches are not always reliable, identifying host resistance desirable sustainable approach to disease management. This research initially examined aggressiveness 18 isolates (17 S. one subarctica on cultivated representatives B. rapa oleracea using young plant test. Significant differences were observed between susceptibility...

• Genes for ligninolytic enzymes, normally associated with white-rot fungi, are shown to be widespread in a broad taxonomic range of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. ECM fungi were screened lignin peroxidase (LiP) and manganese (MnP) genes by PCR using primers specific known isozymes the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium, DNA sequencing used confirm identity amplified fragments. LiPs detected representing orders Agaricales, Aphyllophorales, Boletales, Cantharellales, Hymenochaetales,...

• Changes in below-ground ectomycorrhizal (ECM) community structure response to elevated CO2 and balanced nutrient addition were investigated a 37-yr-old Picea abies forest. Trees whole-tree chambers exposed factorial combinations of ambient/elevated (700 ppm) fertilization (+/–). ECM fungal was determined 1997 2000 using combination morphotyping molecular analyses. Samples taken both from reference trees receiving the same treatments but without chambers. Significant effects on found CO2....

The genetics underlying onion development are poorly understood. Here the characterization of homologs Arabidopsis photoperiodic flowering pathway genes is reported with end goal accelerating breeding programs by understanding genetic basis adaptation to different latitudes. expression GI, FKF1 and ZTL under short day (SD) long (LD) conditions was examined using quantitative reverse transcription–PCR (qRT–PCR). AcGI AcFKF1 in varieties which exhibit daylength responses. Phylogenetic trees...

Brassica crops are of global importance, with oilseed rape ( napus ) accounting for 13% edible oil production. All species susceptible to sclerotinia stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum , a generalist fungal pathogen causing disease in over 400 plant species. Generally, sources resistance result partial control the although some studies have identified wild that highly resistant. The related S . subarctica has also been reported on but its aggressiveness relation S. is unknown. In...

Fusarium oxysporum is a soilborne fungal plant pathogen responsible for causing disease in many economically important crops with “special forms” ( formae speciales ) adapted to infect specific hosts. F. f. sp. pisi (FOP) the causal agent of wilt pea. It has been reported every country where peas are grown commercially. Disease generally controlled using resistant cultivars possessing single major gene resistance and therefore there constant risk breakdown. The main aim this work was...

• Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi were screened for laccase-like genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers white rot fungal laccase genes, and expression of the was examined reverse transcriptase (RT-PCR) Piloderma byssinum in axenic culture under different nutrient conditions. Laccase-like present Rhizopogon roseolus along with several Russulales Atheliaceae taxa, showed strong nucleotide sequence similarity to fungi. Multiple only identified spp. expressed spp., transcript levels...

The soilborne fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infects many important crop plants. Central to the success of this pathogen is production sclerotia, which enables survival in soil and constitutes primary inoculum. This study aimed determine how plant type S. isolate impact sclerotial germination hence inoculum potential. Three isolates (L6, L17, L44) were used inoculate plants bean, carrot, lettuce, oilseed rape ( OSR ) potato, number weight sclerotia per quantified. Carpogenic collected from...

A unique, global onion diversity set was assembled, genotyped and phenotyped for beneficial traits. Accessions with strong basal rot resistance increased seedling vigour were identified along associated markers. Conserving biodiversity is critical safeguarding future crop production. Onion (Allium cepa L.) a globally important very large (16 Gb per 1C) genome which has not been sequenced. While onions are self-fertile, they suffer from severe inbreeding depression as such highly heterozygous...

Individuals and not just species are key components of biodiversity, yet the relationship between intraspecific diversity ecosystem functioning in microbial systems remains largely untested. This limits our ability to understand predict effects altered genetic regulating processes functions. Here, we use a model fungal system test hypothesis that genotypic richness Paxillus obscurosporus stimulates biomass CO2 efflux, but this is dependent on nitrogen supply. Using controlled experimental...