Dead Plant Research Articles

Afforesting as a Way to Eliminate Haze and to Fertilize Plants

Haze problem causes serious health risk and troubles to the human being. Traditional manners such as reducing vehicle uses and biomass burning etc. don’t workwell as was expected. More effective ways to address haze problem are urgently in need. From literatures, haze contains many vital elements plants growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur, such thatabsorbing them as the fertilizers for forests or other ecological systems would be a more effective way to tackle the haze problem. In fact, the components in haze are suitable for fertilizing plants because they come from burningoil and coals which are dead plants and animals long time ago. Sincesoils with water in them are feasible to dissolve the ions in haze, combined with ecological functions of forests such as water transparency, harmful gases absorption, forests and other ecological systems can effectively absorb the haze and turnthem into the fertilizers for plants continuously; therefore, the haze would be eliminated with infinite capacity. In summary, haze would be eaten by these ecological systems and turn them into life again. Utilizingafforesting, haze can be eliminated in an environment friendly and constructive way, they would become the nutrition in living things and circulate in the biosphere.In this way, not only haze can be absorbed, but also the plants are fertilized, more over such process is infinite.

Production and water use efficiency of peanut under salt stress and soil cover

Proper management of brackish water can increase plant production in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the production performance and water use efficiency of two peanut genotypes irrigated with brackish water during the reproductive stage, in soil with and without soil cover. The study was conducted in a greenhouse. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, with four replicates, in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme (two electrical conductivities of irrigation water - ECw 0.9 and 5.0 dS m-1, two peanut genotypes - AC 130 and cv. BR1, and the presence or absence of soil cover). At 72 days after sowing, harvest was performed and the following variables were evaluated: number of marketable pods, number of non-marketable pods, pod mass, diameter and length, production and water use efficiency. Salinity impacted production more than the water use efficiency in the two peanut genotypes, with the relative reduction in production being higher in cv. BR-1. Soil cover with dead plant material mitigated the effects of salinity on production and increased water use efficiency, only in genotype AC 130.

Actions Toward Containment, Control, and Eradication of Invasive Conehead Termites (Blattodea: Isoptera: Termitidae)

AbstractEarly, strategic IPM actions can eradicate relatively new invasive conehead termite [Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Blattodea: Isoptera: Termitidae)] populations, preventing negative economic and ecological consequences should this pest of agriculture, structures, and natural areas become permanently established and spread. Conspicuous foraging tunnels and above-ground nests are key aspects of N. corniger biology that render colonies vulnerable to discovery and elimination. Because the goal is eradication, the termites must be controlled wherever found—structure, yard, park, overgrown lot, orchard, forest, natural area, etc. Effective IPM methods exist to contain, control, and eradicate invasive nasutes. Removing and safely disposing dead plant material and stored wood helps reduce termite food and harborage, enables liquid insecticides to penetrate soil, and facilitates access for inspections. IPM involves a combination of physical interventions including nest destruction teamed with targeted insecticide applications, followed by diligent monitoring. Fumigation is required only in unusual situations. By killing colonies and reducing overall population size, alate (swarmer) dispersal can be reduced or eliminated, thus substantially slowing—with goal of halting—infested zone expansion. This paper details specific approaches, protocols, and recommendations for detection, treatment, transport prevention, and risk-based monitoring. We present practical suggestions regarding outreach, advocacy, partnerships with stakeholders, and networking with informed professionals. All recommendations stem from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ invasive conehead termite program’s best practices and lessons learned experiences during significant mitigation progress, with eradication of two populations of invasive coneheads that spread from a single introduction into Florida as an achievable goal.

A geotechnical approach to gully erosion control and management at Inyishi, Ikeduru L.G.A., Imo State, Nigeria

This research is aimed at appraising the root causes of gully erosion at Inyishi in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria, and the possible geotechnical control and management techniques that could be applied in curbing the menace. In pursuance to these objectives, field and laboratory investigations were undertaken. The field works involved reconnaissance and chain surveys, and contouring of the gully catchments. It was observed that gullies were initiated in the research area by flow concentrations induced by environmental factors related to roads and aligned buildings constructed with inadequate drainage facilities upstream of the gully locations. Laboratory investigations carried out involved engineering analyses of soil samples collected at the gully sites and beds for the determination of the soils grain sizes, Atterberg limits, moisture content, specific gravity, permeability, shear strength and bulk density relations. A summary of the engineering properties of the soil revealed its poorly graded and sandy nature, its inadequate fine materials content, low liquid and plastic limits, which ranged between 35.80 to 42.20 % and 28.35 to 35.00 % respectively, as well as its low permeability index of 1 × 10-2cm/sec. These findings, coupled with the fact that the gully area was underlain with friable and cohesionless soil, with small time of concentration, which renders it easily disaggregated by runoff are pointers to the relative ease of water infiltration and seepage at the gully locations. The erosive power of the slope within the gully area was estimated by chain surveying of the entire catchment. The efficacy of natural local materials such as vetiver grass, wood shavings, palm kernel shells, coconut husk, bread fruit husk, dead plant mulch, etc. for the geotechnical works on gully erosion control and management was explored. General specifications on the geotechnics of managing the installed control works for their sustainable services were proffered.

Ecology of the meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius in the Ajaccio region (Corsica) - I: spring.

The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), is the main vector in Europe of the recently detected plant pathogen bacterium Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae). While the ecology of continental populations is well documented, nothing is known about the insular populations of P. spumarius, such as in Corsica, where the bacterium was detected in 2015. Hence, in an epidemiological context, the ecology of P. spumarius has been studied in a maquis landscape in the Ajaccio region between 2017 and 2019. Adults and nymphs were almost exclusively collected on Cistus monspeliensis L. (Cistaceae). However, very few specimens were collected in summer, suggesting a movement of the adults to sheltered habitats. Unfortunately, despite several trapping methods used, the location of adult summer habitat remains unknown for the studied population. It might be tempting to destroy the central plant host of P. spumarius populations. However, as spittlebug nymphs are highly polyphagous on low-growing plant species and as the females can lay eggs in any dead plant tissues, such practice could have limited the impact. Instead, the strong relationship between P. spumarius and C. monspeliensis could be used to monitor spittlebug populations, to limit/concentrate the means of insect control, or in an agronomic context to lure insects away from crops. Maintaining natural arboreal vegetation around agronomic systems could help decrease insect abundance - and potentially, pathogen load - on cultivated species. Such hypotheses need to be further studied by landscape experiments.

SELEÇÃO DE CLONES DE COFFEA CANEPHORA PARA O PROCESSO DE COLHEITA MECANIZADA NO NORTE DO ESPÍRITO SANTO

Este trabalho objetiva selecionar clones de café conilon para colheita mecanizada. O estudo foi realizado em uma lavoura comercial no município de São Mateus. Os cafeeiros foram plantados em um espaçamento de 3,5 entre linhas de cultivo e 0,5 entre plantas. Foram avaliadas as características: Produtividade em sacas de 60kg beneficiadas por hectare (sc.ha-1); Desfolha em kg de massa foliar desprendida das parcelas após a colheita (kg.ha-1); porcentagem de plantas mortas por parcela (%). A colheita mecanizada foi por meio de uma colhedora de café da marca CaseIH modelo Coffee Express 200. Aplicou-se os modelos lineares mistos em blocos completos com 27 genótipos, duas repetições, duas colheitas, e dois ambientes. Estimaram-se os componentes de variância, valores genéticos preditos e os intervalos de confiança. A diversidade genética dos clones foi analisada com base nos valores genéticos por meio da matriz de distâncias estatísticas de Mahalanobis seguido do agrupamento UPGMA e de Tocher Modificado. Não ocorreu interação dos genótipos com o ambiente. Os clones Tardio 9, Tardio 2, Intermediário 9, Precoce 6 e Tardio 3 apresentaram as maiores produtividades e baixa mortalidade de plantas. A maior distância estimada foi 37,56 entre os acessos Tardio 9 e Intermediário 7 e a menor foi 0,00 entre os acessos Tardio 1 e Precoce 6. O agrupamento de Tocher formou sete grupos nos quais os clones Tardio 9, Tardio 6, Precoce 2 e Intermediário 9 ficaram isolados.

Bioconversion of Selected Solid Wastes by Control Cultivation of Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus florida and its Nutrient Analysis

Mushrooms are a source of nutrition particularly in respect of proteins and vitamins. It has been rightly called “vegetable meat”. Apart from being potential protein and energy source, mushrooms are famous for their medicinal values. In addition to their fascination for the gourmet, they are nature’s most active agents in the disposal of forest’s waste materials. Not only in disposing timber, but also helps in converting dead plants into available food. They are efficient agents, fitting into the nutrient cycle of farms and forests. As they utilize agricultural by products and wastes as their substrate, mushroom cultivation is an eco-friendly activity. In a country like India where vegeterians dominate, every attempt should be made to popularize a vegetable protein source like mushroom. A study on the cultivation of oyster mushroom, Pleurotus florida was undertaken. It was found to grow on various solid wastes viz. paddy straw, rice husk, saw dust, water hyacinth and a mixture of all the selected substrates. The oyster mushroom cultivated on the paddy straw gives the maximum yield with high content of protein, carbohydrate and lipid.

Decomposers found on a partially decomposed Caimito (Chrysophyllum caimito): Example of a log ecosystem

Decomposers are integral parts of our ecosystem, breaking down matter and releasing it back into the soil for other living things to utilize instead of remaining unused in the tissues of dead animals and plants. This research focused on identifying the decomposers found in Chrysophyllum cainito, commonly known as the star apple. Additionally, it aimed to recognize the non-living elements that influence the small ecosystem within a decomposing log. The study was conducted on August 14, 2017, at the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCTS) main campus, with the observation lasting one day. A total of eight decomposers were discovered, including lichens, mosses, fungi, polychaete worms, earthworms, termites, woodlice, and ants. The study also documented various abiotic factors such as sunlight, soil, oxygen, water, temperature, and the decomposition log itself. These findings indicate that the sampled area displayed a high diversity of decomposers.

Influence of saprophages (Isopoda, Diplopoda) on leaf litter decomposition under different levels of humidification and chemical loading

The paper presents a study about the influence of two saprophage groups (Isopoda, Diplopoda) on leaf litter decomposition under different levels of humidification and chemical stress. Because of their worldwide distribution, we focused on the common pillbug Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille, 1804) (Isopoda, Armadillidiidae), and the common millipede species Rossiulus kessleri (Lohmander, 1927) (Julida, Julidae). The function of environment creation by the given saprophages, as destructors of dead plant matter, supporting such ecosystem services as soil fertility improvement and nutrients’ turnover, is highlighted. To conduct the experiment, the animals were collected manually and using pitfall trapping. In order to bring the experimental conditions closer to the natural, the individuals were not sexed. The maximum consumption of leaf litter by woodlice was recorded in the conditions with adequate moisture (0.5 mL of distilled water per box) and amounted to 2.52 mg/10 individuals per day, which exceeds its consumption with low and increased moisture, respectively, by 1.82 and 1.24 times. As for the effect of interaction, the consumption of maple litter with optimal moisture (4.77 mg/10 individuals per day) was the greatest. The largest absolute difference between broad-leaved tree species in the average weight of leaf litter consumed by woodlice was between maple leaf litter and oak leaf litter, the minimum – between robinia leaf litter and oak leaf litter. According to the results of the obtained data (Diplopoda), it can be stated that there is a statistically significant effect of chemical stress and discrepancy of the average zinc content in the object of study (in Diplopoda and their faecal pellets). We found that the diet provided did not affect the distribution of zinc in Diplopoda under conditions of chemical stress. According to the results of pairwise comparisons, we determined that the zinc content in the Diplopoda clearly differs for control and almost every concentration of zinc sulfate solution – 0.03 and 0.15 g/L, the samples of which do not form a homogeneous group. The species composition, abundance and distribution in space of soil invertebrates are informative indicators which reflect the ecological state of soils, intensity in development of soil horizons as well as intensity of processes occurring in them.

Аналіз життєвості вуличних насаджень після омолоджувальної обрізки (на прикладі м. Дніпро)

The influence of pruning of the crown on the state of five tree species has been studied (Robinia pseudoacacia L., Ulmus pumila L., Gleditsia triacanthos L., Acer pseudoplatanus L. and Populus bolleana Lauch.). The trees were pruning at a height of 8 meters, leaving only the trunk and lower branches. Control plants were not pruned. All plants are growing on the boulevard near the highway with high traffic. It was found that among the rejuvenated trees there are more both healthy plants and severely damaged ones. Dead plants appeared among species such as G. triacanthos, A. pseudoplatanus, and R. pseudoacacia also. The best vital state was found in P. bolleana and U. pumila. Plants after crowning have more water content in leaves. U. pumila and G. triacanthos have the greatest difference in water content between the two variants. The intensity of transpiration in pruning plants P. bolleana and G. triacanthos is 2 times higher, and in U. pumila – by 20 %. In A. pseudoplatanus and R. pseudoacacia, there is no difference in this indicator between the variants. Pruned plants have a lower water-holding capacity by an average of 30 % compared to control (except for P. bolleana, in which the difference between the variants is insignificant). The content of green pigments is higher than in the control samples in the leaves of the rejuvenated plants. The exception is R. pseudoacacia, which has a reverse reaction. Thus, the intensification of the processes of water exchange and the pigment system does not occur in all species to the same extent. It is most pronounced in U. pumila and G. triacanthos. The activity of photosynthesis and water exchange in both variants differs insignificantly at P. bolleana. R. pseudoacacia have deterioration in all parameters. This probably explains the poor condition of pruned trees of this species.

Memnoniella dichroa . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Memnoniella dichroa , which can be found almost always on dead and rotting plant material. Some information on its associated organisms and substrata, dispersal and transmission, habitats and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (North America (Mexico, USA (Florida, Kansas, Ohio)), Asia (China (Sichuan), Japan, Thailand, Turkey), Australasia (Australia (ACT), New Zealand), Caribbean (Cuba), Europe (Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia (Pskov Oblast, Republic of Karelia), UK)).

Evaluación de indicadores de degradación y biomasa radical en mallines de una cuenca hídrica del sur de Santa Cruz

We conducted a study in order to analyze the association between vegetation and soil indicators, to assess the variation of these variables between sectors and condition of degradation, and to evaluate parameters of groundwater and root biomass between meadows with different condition in a watershed of southern Santa Cruz. Cover of the main forage species, litter, bare soil (BS), species that indicate degradation (IS), standing dead plant material and aerial biomass (B) were determined during three years in five contrasting meadow conditions (wet sector in good condition and wet and dry sectors in moderate and highly degraded conditions). Soil mechanical resistance, bulk density (BD), pH, electrical resistance, soil organic matter, groundwater electrical conductivity, sodium absorption ratio and root biomass were measured. Vegetation and soil variables were analyzed using an experiment tri-factorial 2x2x3 (i.e., Sector [S, Wet and Dry], Date [December and April] and Condition [C, Good, Moderate and Highly Degraded]). A completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications and subdivided plots arrangement was used. The study identified vegetation and soil variables associated with the C and S. Highly degraded meadows showed high IS and low AB values. BD was higher (P<0.05) in the highly deteriorated meadow. Root biomass was reduced with the deterioration of meadow. We conclude that it is possible to analyze the associate vegetation and soil variables with the C and S of meadow and explain the variation of radical biomass in relation to condition of degradation.

Temperature and soil management effects on carbon fluxes and priming effect intensity

Any change in the intensity and sign of CO2 flux between soil and atmosphere is expected to have a significant impact on climate. The net emission of CO2 by soils depends on antagonistic processes: the persistence of dead plant matter and the mineralization of soil organic matter. These two processes are partly interdependent: their interaction is known as the “priming effect” (PE), i.e. the stimulation of the mineralization of stable soil organic matter by more labile fresh organic matter.Documenting the response of PE to global change is needed for predicting long term dynamics of ecosystems and climate change. We have tested the effects on PE of temperature, nutrient availability, biodegradibility of added organic matter (fresh vs. decomposed), soil cover (agricultural vs. forest soil) and interactions.Our results suggest that the biodegradability of plant debris (wheat straw, fresh or pre-decomposed) is the first determinant of the intensity of PE, far ahead of temperature and nutrients: fresh wheat straw addition induced up to 800% more CO2 emission than pre-decomposed one. The raise of temperature from 15 to 20 °C, increased basal soil organic matter mineralization by 38%, but had little effect on PE. Interactions between biodegradability of straw and the other factors showed that the agricultural soil was more responsive to all factors than the forest soil.We have shown in our study that the intensity of PE could be more dependent on soil cover and plant residue management than on other drivers of global change, particularly temperature and nutrients. There is an urgent need to assess the genericity of our results by testing other soil types and plant debris for a better integration of PE in models, and for identifying alternative land carbon management strategies for climate change mitigation.

Can shifts in metabolic scaling predict coevolution between diet quality and body size?

Larger species tend to feed on abundant resources, which nonetheless have lower quality or degradability, the so-called Jarman-Bell principle. The "eat more" hypothesis posits that larger animals compensate for lower quality diets through higher consumption rates. If so, evolutionary shifts in metabolic scaling should affect the scope for this compensation, but whether this has happened is unknown. Here, we investigated this issue using termites, major tropical detritivores that feed along a humification gradient ranging from dead plant tissue to mineral soil. Metabolic scaling is shallower in termites with pounding mandibles adapted to soil-like substrates than in termites with grinding mandibles adapted to fibrous plant tissue. Accordingly, we predicted that only larger species of the former group should have more humified, lower quality diets, given their higher scope to compensate for such a diet. Using literature data on 65 termite species, we show that diet humification does increase with body size in termites with pounding mandibles, but is weakly related to size in termites with grinding mandibles. Our findings suggest that evolution of metabolic scaling may shape the strength of the Jarman-Bell principle.

Antimicrobial Mechanism and Identification of the Proteins Mediated by Extracts from Asphaltum punjabianum and Myrtus communis.

Myrtus communis (“myrtle”) and Asphaltum punjabianum (“shilajeet”) are a medicinal plant and a long-term-humified dead plant material, respectively. We studied their antibacterial and anticandidal activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The activities of the aqueous extracts of the studied materials were measured using agar-well diffusion methods. Furthermore, proteomic analysis of treated microbial cells was conducted to identify affected proteins. The results showed both antibacterial and anticandidal activities for the myrtle extract (ME), while the shilajeet extract (SE) showed antibacterial activity only. The highest antimicrobial activity was observed against E. coli among the microbes tested; therefore, it was taken as the model for the proteomic analysis to identify the antimicrobial mechanism of ME and SE using two-dimensional electrophoresis. Upregulation of expression of 42 proteins and downregulation of expression of 6 proteins were observed in E. coli treated with ME, whereas 12 upregulated and 104 downregulated proteins were detected in E. coli treated with SE, in comparison with the control. About 85% of identified expressed proteins were from the cytoplasm and 15% from microbial cell walls, indicating the penetration of extracts inside cells. A higher percentage of expressed proteins was recorded for enzymatic activity. Our findings suggest that the major targets of the antibacterial action were proteins involved in the outer membrane, oxidative stress, and metabolism. Our data might reveal new targets for antimicrobial agents.

Head-started Agassiz’s desert tortoises Gopherus agassizii achieved high survival, growth, and body condition in natural field enclosures

We measured survival, growth, and body condition of 8 hatchling cohorts of desert tortoisesGopherus agassizii(living in predator-resistant outdoor pens in the Mojave Desert, California, USA) over 11 yr to evaluate head-starting methods. At 11 yr of age, 7 times as many of the first cohort had survived than if they had been free-living tortoises. Subsequent improvements in predator control, food and water supplementation, and pen structure increased survival from 7 to 10 times that under wild conditions in younger cohorts. Annual survival averaged 96%. Carapace length (CL) increased 6.95 mm yr-1, similar to that of free-living tortoises. Annual growth rates varied with calendar year (possibly reflecting food and water supply), age, cohort (year hatched), mother, and in 4 dry years, with crowding. Most of the first cohort grew to a releasable size (CL >100 mm) by their 9th year. Body condition indices remained high, indicating little dehydration despite droughts in 8 of the 11 years, because irrigation offered drinking opportunities. Head-started tortoises developed fully hardened shells (≥98% of adult shell hardness) earlier (10.1 vs. 11.6 yr), but at a larger CL (117 vs. 104 mm) than did free-living tortoises. Selective feeding in head-start pens decreased subsequent germination of favored wildflower species, apparently by reducing the natural seedbank. Consequently, we reseeded and irrigated each autumn to promote subsequent spring food supply. We irrigated in early summer to enable drinking and ensuing consumption of dry, dead plants and Bermuda grass hay, a supplement. These procedures can greatly improve juvenile survivorship, and increase numbers of hard-shelled, midsized juveniles to help augment wild populations.

Flumioxazin soil persistence under plastic mulch and effects of pretransplant applications on strawberry

AbstractWeeds are managed in Florida strawberry production systems with plastic mulches, fumigants, and herbicides. There are limited post-transplant options to control weeds that emerge in the planting holes in the plastic-covered beds, but flumioxazin at 107 g ai ha−1 can be applied pretransplant under the plastic mulch to control broadleaf and grass weeds. Three research trials were conducted in Balm and Dover, FL, in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate tolerance of the strawberry cultivar ‘Radiance’ to flumioxazin rates ranging from 54 to 6,854 g ha−1 and to estimate herbicide persistence under the plastic mulch. Shoot damage was observed at 428 to 857 g ha−1 (4× and 8× the label rate, respectively), but a significant increase in the number of dead plants was not observed until the treatment rate was 857 g ha−1 at one site and 3,427 g ha−1 at a second site (8× and 32× the label rate, respectively). Berry yields were unaffected by rates lower than 857 g ha−1. Flumioxazin persisted throughout the growing season (approximately 150 d) with no reduction in soil concentration. We conclude that applied at the label rate, flumioxazin is a safe pretransplant weed management option for season-long weed control in strawberry with no yield reduction at rates below 8× the label rate. Caution is recommended for growers who plant a second crop on the same bed.

Protection of Highbush Blueberry Plants against Phytophthora cinnamomi Using Serendipita indica

A greenhouse experiment was carried out on the use of Serendipita indica, an endomycorrhizal-like fungus, to increase the resistance of three highbush blueberry cultivars Chandler, Darrow and Spartan to the pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. The cultivars differed in the acceptance of root colonisation by S. indica and in susceptibility to P. cinnamomi. The lowest percentage (%) of colonised roots was found in the cultivar Spartan. The frequency of symptomatic plants (stunted growth, dark spots on stems, small, yellowing, and dropping leaves) among plants inoculated only with P. cinnamomi was 59, 83, and 100%, for ‘Chandler’, ‘Darrow’, and ‘Spartan’, respectively. In the treatment where both pathogen and endophyte were inoculated, the frequency in ‘Darrow’ and ‘Spartan’ dropped to 28 and 90%, respectively. Of non-protected ‘Spartan’ plants, 66% died, whereas only 14% of those protected with S. indica died. Colonisation by S. indica reduced the number of dead plants of ‘Chandler’ from 3 to 1 among those protected. In ‘Darrow’ only one plant died of the non-protected and none of the protected ones. S. indica increased the growth of non-infected plants of ‘Darrow’ and ‘Spartan’ by 11%. An increase in the growth of plants inoculated with S. indica and infected with P. cinnamomi after 21 days went from 74% to 182% over the plants only infected with the pathogen.

Distribution of Seeds of the Giant Hogweed (Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden.) in the Winter Period

The results of experiments on natural distribution of seeds of the giant hogweed (Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden.) in the winter period are presented. It was found that viable seeds are preserved on the umbrellas of this alien plant in winter. Falling of single seeds during the winter period is not much different from falling of seeds in the summer–autumn period. It was shown that seeds under the influence of various factors, in particular, under the influence of strong gusts of wind, can move up to 5 m from the mother plant. It was revealed that the seeds are also able to move together with broken umbrellas over distances many times greater than the distances of the natural scattering of single seeds. Experimental observations on the movement of umbrellas at a distance of 40 ± 9 m for 15 min suggest that the range of movement of umbrellas can be hundreds of meters on a flat surface of icy roads. The high germination of seeds left on the umbrellas allowed us to conclude that measures to control Sosnowsky’s hogweed should include the destruction of dead plants with seeds until a stable snow cover is formed.

A 2-kb Mycovirus Converts a Pathogenic Fungus into a Beneficial Endophyte for Brassica Protection and Yield Enhancement

Mycoviruses are viruses that infect fungi, and hypovirulence-associated mycoviruses have the potential to control fungal diseases. However, it is unclear how mycovirus-mediated hypovirulent strains live and survive in the field, and no mycovirus has been applied for field crop protection. In this study, we found that a previously identified small DNA mycovirus (SsHADV-1) can convert its host, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, from a typical necrotrophic pathogen to a beneficial endophytic fungus. SsHADV-1 downregulates the expression of key pathogenicity factor genes in S. sclerotiorum during infection. When growing in rapeseed, the SsHADV-1-infected strain DT-8 significantly regulates the expression of rapeseed genes involved in defense, hormone signaling, and circadian rhythm pathways. As a result, plant growth is promoted and disease resistance is enhanced. Field experiments showed that spraying DT-8 at the early flowering stage can reduce the disease severity of rapeseed stem rot by 67.6% and improve yield by 14.9%. Moreover, we discovered that SsHADV-1 could also infect other S. sclerotiorum strains on DT-8-inoculated plants and that DT-8 could be recovered from dead plants. These findings suggest that the mycoviruses may have the ability to shape the origin of endophytism. Our discoveries suggest that mycoviruses may influence the origin of endophytism and may also offer a novel strategy for disease control in which mycovirus-infected strains are used to improve crop health and release mycoviruses into the field.