Litter Fungi Research Articles

Soil microbial identity explains home-field advantage for litter decomposition.

Unraveling the mechanisms of home-field advantage (HFA) is essential to gain a complete understanding of litter decomposition processes. However, knowledge of the relationships between HFA effects and microbial communities is lacking. To examine HFA effects on litter decomposition, we identified the microbial communities and conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment, including all possible combinations of soil and litter, between sites at two elevations in cool-temperate forests. Soil origin, rather than HFA, was an important factor in controlling litter decomposition processes. Microbiome-wide association analyses identified litter fungi and bacteria specific to the source soil, which completely differed at a low taxonomic level between litter types. The relative abundance of these microbes specific to source soil was positively correlated with litter mass loss. The results indicated that the unique relationships between plant litter and soil microbes through plant-soil linkages drive litter decomposition processes. In the short term, soil disturbances resulting from land-use changes have the potential to disrupt the effect of soil origin and hinder the advancement of litter decomposition. These findings contribute to an understanding of HFA mechanisms and the impacts of land-use change on decomposition processes in forest ecosystems.

A novel genus and new records of Dothideomycetes associated with Litchi chinensis litter from Guangdong Province, China

ABSTRACT Litchi chinensis (lychee) is one of the most important tropical fruit crops in Asia. Despite the annual increase in research on lychee fungal pathogens, few studies have been conducted on saprobic lychee litter fungi, which may also be sources of pathogens. We collected samples from Guangdong Province, China during our biodiversity survey on leaf litter fungi. The collected species were isolated and identified using morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of combined internal transcribed spacer nrDNA (ITS), large subunit nrDNA (LSU), small subunit nrDNA (SSU), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α). Based on morphological and molecular data, we herein introduce a new genus, Pseudoneohendersonia, belonging to Neohendersoniaceae with the type species P. guangdongensis sp. nov. Additionally, we identified three new host records associated with L. chinensis viz. Crassiparies quadrisporus, Rhytidhysteron neorufulum, and Rhytidhysteron tectonae. We provide full descriptions, illustrations, and multigene phylogenetic trees for the novel genus and new records. This study expands the understanding of lychee associated saprobic fungal diversity.

Interguild fungal competition in litter and soil inversely modulate microbial necromass accumulation during Loess Plateau forest succession

Microbial interactions determine ecosystem carbon (C) and nutrient cycling, yet it remains unclear how interguild fungal interactions modulate microbial residue contribution to soil C pools (SOC) during forest succession. Here, we present a region-wide investigation of the relative dominance of saprophytic versus symbiotic fungi in litter and soil compartments, exploring their linkages to soil microbial residue pools and potential drivers along a chronosequence of secondary Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) forests on the Loess Plateau. Despite minor changes in C and nitrogen (N) stocks in the litter or soil layers across successional stages, we found significantly lower soil phosphorus (P) stocks, higher ratios of soil C: N, soil N: P and soil C: P but lower ratios of litter C: N and litter C: P in old (>75 years) than young stands (<30 years). Pine stand development altered the saprotroph: symbiotroph ratios of fungal communities to favor the soil symbiotrophs versus the litter saprotrophs. The dominance of saprotrophs in litter is positively related to microbial necromass contribution to SOC, which is negatively related to the dominance of symbiotrophs in soils. Antagonistic interguild fungal competition in litter and soil layers, in conjunction with increased fungal but decreased bacterial necromass contribution to SOC, jointly contribute to unchanged total necromass contribution to SOC with stand development. The saprotroph: symbiotroph ratios in litter and soil layers are mainly driven by soil P stocks and stand parameters (e.g., stand age and slope), respectively, while substrate stoichiometries primarily regulate microbial necromass accumulation and fungal: bacterial necromass ratios. These results provide novel insights into how microbial interactions at local spatial scales modulate temporal changes in SOC pools, with management implications for mitigating regional land degradation.

Recovering arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) from decomposing litter: an unusual approach

ABSTRACT A few studies indicated a possible role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in leaf litter decomposition. Information about these fungi in leaf litter is limited by the availability of techniques to recover them from such substrates. In the present study we aimed to (i) test an alternative approach for AMF recovery from litter; (ii) investigate if the AMF community structure in leaf litter differs between plant species; (iii) assess whether glomoid spore type might be more abundant in litter and (iv) determine whether litter quality and soil chemical parameters influence AMF communities. Leaves and soil were collected in three areas in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. AMF were obtained from the leaves using a moist chamber approach. AMF communities were evaluated for their species richness, abundance, and diversity. In addition, the influence of soil chemical properties and litter quality on the structure of AMF communities was evaluated. Thirteen AMF species representing the genera Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Diversispora, Gigaspora, and Glomus, were recovered from leaves. The highest richness was observed in Ziziphus joazeiro leaves at Fazenda Sapé, whereas the highest diversity was found in the leaves of Hymenaea courbaril at Flona. AMF communities were influenced by litter quality and the P content of the soil. Our data show that this alternative approach for recovering AMF from the litter was successful in detecting communities inhabiting tropical conditions. This pilot research is an essential attempt to address the gap of knowledge about the occurrence of AMF in leaf litter and delimit future strategies to assess their function in this substrate.

Morphological Characterization of Saprophyte Fungi on Cocoa Fruit Peel Litter

Cocoa is an important commodity crop in Indonesia. However, current obstacles related to the problem of cocoa shell litter which is slow to decompose are an obstacle in plantation management. Therefore it is necessary to conduct research related to the exploration and identification of saprophytic fungi in cocoa pod litter. Samples of cocoa pod litter were taken at PTPN XII, while the isolation and identification processes were carried out at the Mycology Laboratory, Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya. From the results of macroscopic and microscopic identification, nine isolates of saprophytic fungi were obtained consisting of seven genera, namely Candida sp., Penicillium sp., Fusidium sp., Rhizopus sp., Chepalosporium sp., Trichoderma sp.1, Trichoderma sp.2, Aspergillus sp., and Trichoderma sp. 3.

Logging has legacy effects on the structure of soil fungal communities several decades after cessation in Western Cascade forest stands

IntroductionLogging impacts millions of hectares of forests globally every year, and not only affects tree cover, but also disrupts below-ground soil communities that are essential for forest ecosystems. Soil fungi are particularly vulnerable to such disturbances due to their reliance upon plant hosts as their source of carbon. Fluctuations within the major guilds of fungi important for forest function can have ramifications for plant communities and biogeochemical processes. We addressed questions about soil fungal communities in temperate forest stands with varying logging histories: (1) Do assembly patterns of soil fungal communities and functional guilds reflect historical differences in logging legacies? (2) Does sequencing of below-ground communities of fungi resemble the composition of surveys of fungal fruiting bodies? (3) How do fungal communities in the litter layer differ from those in the soil and do these assembly patterns change with logging history?MethodsOur study took place in the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest in western Oregon, USA. We sampled soil and litter (Oi—Oe) in three sites with different logging histories: one clear cut in 1974, one selectively logged and thinned three times between 1974 and 2001, and one unlogged. We sequenced soil fungi separately for mineral soil samples and litter samples. Additionally, we compiled fruiting-body studies from 1972 through the present to compare with our eDNA samples.ResultsWe found that four decades after logging had ceased there were detectable signatures within the soil fungal communities that distinguished logged from unlogged sites, indicating a legacy that affects many generations of fungi (PERMANOVA; p &amp;lt; 0.001 for both soil and litter fungi). There were also significant differences between litter and mineral soil communities (PERMANOVA; p &amp;lt; 0.001) with higher relative abundances of pathogens within the litter layer and a greater proportion of mycorrhizal fungi in the soil.DiscussionThese results highlight the importance of including forest litter in studies, as entire guilds of fungi can be underestimated when considering a single fraction. Together, these results have repercussions for the regeneration of forests following logging, as the composition of fungal guilds important to plant functions do not fully recover even after decades of cessation.

Linking processes to community functions—insights into litter decomposition combining fungal metatranscriptomics and environmental NMR profiling

In forest ecosystems, decomposition is essential for carbon and nutrient cycling and therefore a key process for ecosystem functioning. During the decomposition process, litter chemistry, involved decomposer organisms, and enzymatic activity change interdependently. Chemical composition of the litter is the most complex and dynamic component in the decomposition process and therefore challenging to assess holistically. In this study, we aimed to characterize chemical shifts during decomposition and link them to changes in decomposer fungal activity. We characterized the chemical composition of freshly fallen autumn leaves of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and the corresponding leaf litter after 1 year of decomposition by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We further tested the applicability of spiking experiments for qualitative and quantitative characterization of leaves and litter chemistry. The composition and transcriptional activity of fungal communities was assessed by high-throughput Illumina sequencing in the same litter samples. We were able to distinguish freshly fallen leaves from 1-year-old litter based on their chemical composition. Chemical composition of leaves converged among regions with progressing decomposition. Fungal litter communities differed in composition among regions, but they were functionally redundant according to the expression of genes encoding litter degrading enzymes (CAZymes). Fungi of the saprotrophic genera Mycena and Chalara correlated with transcription of litter-degrading CAZymes in 1-year-old litter. Forestry measures influenced the diversity and transcription rate of the detected CAZymes transcripts in litter. Their expression was primarily predicted by composition of the soluble chemical fraction of the litter. Environmental NMR fingerprints thus proved valuable for inferring ecological contexts. We propose and discuss a holistic framework to link fungal activity, enzyme expression, and chemical composition.

Taxonomic Novelties of Woody Litter Fungi (Didymosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales) from the Greater Mekong Subregion.

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is known as a diverse geographic landscape and one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the world with a high fungal diversity. Collections were carried out in terrestrial habitats to determine the diversity of woody litter fungi in the GMS, with an emphasis on northern Thailand and the Yunnan Province of China. Morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analyses of combined SSU, LSU, ITS, and tef1-α supported the placement of the new isolates in the family Didymosphaeriaceae. The phylogenetic affinities of our isolates are illustrated through maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses. Seven species of woody litter fungi were identified, comprising a new monotypic genus, Septofusispora; five novel species (Chromolaenicola sapindi, Dictyoarthrinium thailandicum, Karstenula lancangensis, Septofusispora thailandica, and Spegazzinia jinghaensis); and new host records of two species (Austropleospora archidendri, and Montagnula donacina). Furthermore, this study provides a synopsis of the Montagnula aff. donacina species based on their morphological characteristics, which can be useful in the species-level identifications in this genus.

Phaeosphaeridiols A–C: Three New Compounds from Undescribed Phaeosphaeriaceae sp. SGSF723

Fungi in forest litter are diverse as decomposers but natural products from these fungi are rarely investigated, especially for their antimicrobial activities against crop diseases. In this study, fungal isolate SGSF723 with antimicrobial activities was cultured. A multi-gene phylogenetic analysis showed SGSF723 was an undescribed species in the family Phaeosphaeriaceae. By bio-guided assay, three new compounds (Phaeosphaeridiols A-C) and two known compounds were purified from the ethyl acetate extract. The structures of Phaeosphaeridiols A-C were elucidated as 2-(2'-butenyl)-5 (3″-pentene)-1,3-benzenediol (1), 2-(2'-butenyl)-5-(3″S,4″S-pentane diol)-1,3-benzenediol (2), and 3-(4'-(2″-butenyl)-3',5'-benzenediol phenol)-2-acrylic acid (3) by 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and Mosher's method. Phaeosphaeridiols A-C exhibited moderate or weak antimicrobial activities against plant pathogens by 96-well plate and spore germination assays.

Is allelochemical synthesis in Casuarina equisetifolia plantation related to litter microorganisms?

Productivity decline of Casuarina equisetifolia plantation and difficulty in natural regeneration remains a serious problem because of allelopathy. Previous studies have confirmed that 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP) are the major allelochemicals of the C. equisetifolia litter exudates. The production of these allelochemicals may derive from decomposition of litter or from the litter endophyte and microorganisms adhering to litter surfaces. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between allelochemicals in litter and endophytic and epiphytic fungi and bacteria from litter. A total of 100 fungi and 116 bacteria were isolated from the interior and surface of litter of different forest ages (young, half-mature, and mature plantation). Results showed that the fermentation broth of fungal genera Mycosphaerella sp. and Pestalotiopsis sp., and bacterial genera Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Burkholderia-Paraburkholderia, and Pantoea ananatis had the strongest allelopathic effect on C. equisetifolia seeds. Allelochemicals, such as 2,4-DTBP and its analogs were identified in the fermentation broths of these microorganisms using GC/MS analysis. These results indicate that endophytic and epiphytic fungi and bacteria in litters are involved in the synthesis of allelochemicals of C. equisetifolia. To further determine the abundance of the allelopathic fungi and bacteria, Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing was performed. The results showed that bacterial genera with strong allelopathic potential were mainly distributed in the young and half-mature plantation with low abundance, while the abundance of fungal genera Mycosphaerella sp. and Pestalotiopsis sp. were higher in the young and mature plantations. In particular, the abundance of Mycosphaerella sp. in the young and mature plantations were 501.20% and 192.63% higher than in the half-mature plantation, respectively. Overall, our study demonstrates that the litter fungi with higher abundance in the young and mature plantation were involved in the synthesis of the allelochemical 2,4-DTBP of C. equisetifolia. This finding may be important for understanding the relationship between autotoxicity and microorganism and clarifying the natural regeneration problem of C. equisetifolia.

Disturbance reduces fungal white‐rot litter mat cover in a wet subtropical forest

AbstractFungi that bind leaf litter into mats and produce white‐rot via degradation of lignin and other aromatic compounds influence forest nutrient cycling and soil fertility. Extent of white‐rot litter mats formed by basidiomycete fungi in Puerto Rico decreased in response to disturbances—a simulated hurricane treatment executed by canopy trimming and debris addition in 2014, a drought in 2015, a treefall, and two hurricanes 10 days apart in September 2017. Percent fungal litter mat cover ranged from 0.4% after Hurricanes Irma and Maria to a high of 53% in forest with undisturbed canopy prior to the 2017 hurricanes, with means mostly between 10% and 45% of fungal litter mat cover in undisturbed forest. Drought decreased litter mat cover in both treatments, except in one control plot dominated by a drought‐resistant fungus, Marasmius crinis‐equi. Percent fungal litter mat cover sharply declined after hurricanes, a treefall, and a simulated hurricane treatment. Solar radiation was significantly inversely correlated with relative humidity (RH) and percent litter mat cover within each of the four climatic seasons. Solar radiation was also directly correlated with prior month litterfall, while RH was moderately correlated with throughfall, rain, and litter wetness. However, rainfall was inversely correlated with litter mat cover, possibly due to erosion or saturation during high rainfall events. Canopy opening reduced leaf fall and litter mat cover but these variables were not correlated except in winter. The main factor inhibiting basidiomycete fungi that bind leaf litter into mats was likely lower litter moisture associated with drought and increased solar radiation from canopy opening but secondary compounds in green litterfall may have contributed. Although higher litterfall likely increases fungal mat cover under closed canopy, changes in environmental factors apparently had a stronger inhibitory effect following canopy disturbances. Drought tolerance of some basidiomycete fungal litter mat species provided some resilience to drought.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of the novel rhytidhysteron-like collections in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

During our survey into the diversity of woody litter fungi across the Greater Mekong Subregion, three rhytidhysteron-like taxa were collected from dead woody twigs in China and Thailand. These were further investigated based on morphological observations and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of a combined DNA data matrix containing SSU, LSU, ITS, and tef1-α sequence data. A new species of Rhytidhysteron, R.xiaokongense sp. nov. is introduced with its asexual morph, and it is characterized by semi-immersed, subglobose to ampulliform conidiomata, dark brown, oblong to ellipsoidal, 1-septate, conidia, which are granular in appearance when mature. In addition to the new species, two new records from Thailand are reported viz. Rhytidhysterontectonae on woody litter of Betula sp. (Betulaceae) and Fabaceae sp. and Rhytidhysteronneorufulum on woody litter of Tectonagrandis (Lamiaceae). Morphological descriptions, illustrations, taxonomic notes and phylogenetic analyses are provided for all entries.

Https://asianjournalofmycology.org/pdf/AJOM_5_1_10-1.pdf

The present paper aims at studying the diversity of phyllospheric, rhizospheric soil and aquatic microfungal flora of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and its 10% peripheral area with statistical analysis of the diversity data to draw inferences about microfungal diversity. For analysis, the study area was divided into five zones, defined over a span of three ranges and a 10% peripheral area. Standard methods and keys were followed for the isolation and identification of fungi from different substrates, with routine microscopic work supplemented by scanning electron microscopy and molecular methods for some novel fungi. A total of 334 isolates obtained included 186 litter fungi (55.69%), 77 soil fungi (23.05%), 43 foliicolous fungi (12.87%), and 28 water fungi (8.38%). A total of 231 species in 121 genera were documented, of which 120 genera belong to Ascomycota and one to Basidiomycota. The study resulted in the publication of three new species, 13 new records for India, and two new records for Maharashtra. Aspergillus was dominant with 23 species, followed by Diatrype and Meliola (eight species each). In statistical analysis, we first examine differences in observed species richness across the zones using dummy variable regression and Kruskal-Wallis Test, with species count as the dependent variable. Both yielded similar statistically significant (p-value&lt;0.01) differences in mean and median species counts, respectively. Dissimilarity in species composition, analysed by pairwise Jaccard Dissimilarity Index, was above 82% in all cases, with only one species common in all the zones. In diversity indices, Gini-Simpson’s was above 0.9 for all the zones, and Shannon’s was maximum (=4.4118) for Yeoor [South] and minimum (=2.7185) for Peripheral areas. Pielou’s evenness index was maximum (=0.9954) for Krishnagiri range and minimum (=0.9539) for Yeoor [South]. True diversity (based on Shannon’s Index) was highest (=82) for Yeoor [South] and lowest (=15) for Peripheral. Thus, based on systematics and statistical analysis, it can be concluded that SGNP exhibits a very rich diversity of microfungi.

Changes in litter traits induced by vegetation restoration accelerate litter decomposition in Robinia pseudoacacia plantations

AbstractThe chemical traits of litter are among the most critical factors that affect its decomposition. During vegetation restoration of planted forests, increasing age of the planted species and succession of the understory species may lead to significant changes in litter traits. However, it is unclear how these changes occur and how they affect litter decomposition. Therefore, we studied the decomposition of litter from four Robinia pseudoacacia plantations in the Loess Plateau in China with stand ages of 10–43 years using an indoor simulation test. We measured changes in litter substrate quality and chemical diversity, structural properties of the litter microbial community, activity of litter enzymes, and mixed decomposition effects during vegetation restoration. Their relationships to changes in litter decomposition rate were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Improvements in substrate quality of forest litter induced by vegetation restoration drove changes in fungal community composition during late decomposition (day 358), which in turn increased the activity of lignin‐decomposing enzymes and ultimately accelerated litter decomposition. At the same time, decreases in the chemical diversity of forest litter induced by vegetation restoration reduced the diversity of litter fungi during middle and late decomposition (days 182 and 358). This caused significant negative mixed decomposition effects, thereby inhibiting litter decomposition. However, improvements in litter substrate quality dominated the changes in litter decomposition rate, and the decomposition rate of R. pseudoacacia plantation litter thus increased over the course of vegetation restoration.

Mycorrhizal roots slow the decay of belowground litters in a temperate hardwood forest.

There is increasing evidence that plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi, whether living or dead, play a central role in soil carbon (C) cycling. Root-mycorrhizal-microbial interactions can both suppress and enhance litter decay, with the net result dependent upon belowground nutrient acquisition strategies and soil nutrient availability. We measured the net effect of living roots and mycorrhizal fungi on the decay of dead roots and fungal hyphae in a hardwood forest dominated by either sugar maple (Acer saccharum) or white oak (Quercus alba) trees. Root and fungal litter were allowed to decompose within root-ingrowth bags and root-exclusion cores. In conjunction with root effects on decay, we assessed foraging responses and root induced changes in soil moisture, nitrogen (N) availability and enzyme activity. After 1 year, maple root production increased, and mycorrhizal fungal colonization decreased in the presence of decaying litter. In addition, we found that actively foraging roots suppressed the decay of root litter (-14%) more than fungal litter (-3%), and suppression of root decay was stronger for oak (-20%) than maple roots (-8%). Suppressive effects of oak roots on decay were greatest when roots also reduced soil N availability, which corresponded with reductions in hydrolytic enzyme activity and enhanced oxidative enzyme activities. These findings further our understanding of context-dependent drivers of root-mycorrhizal-microbial interactions and demonstrate that such interactions can play an underappreciated role in soil organic matter accumulation and turnover in temperate forests.

PH, Total Bacteria and Total Fungi Litter Fermentation at Different Ripening Durations

This study aims to examine the effect of fermentation time on pH levels, total bacteria and total fungi litter chicken fermented. The research method was carried out by collecting various chicken litters from 16 closed house cages in Semarang City, Demak Regency and Kendal Regency, then combined and fermented. The study used a completely randomized design in the direction of 4 treatments and 4 replications, the treatments were T0 = 0 week litter curing; T1 = 3 weeks litter curing; T2 = 6 weeks of litter curing; T3 = 9 weeks litter curing. The parameters observed were pH value, total bacteria and total litter fungi in broiler chickens. The results showed that there was a significant effect (P &lt;0.05) between curing time on the pH value and the total litter bacteria in fermented broiler chickens. The longer the curing time, the pH value decreases, because the longer fermentation process produces more organic acids. The results of the calculation of total bacteria show that the best treatment is the T2 treatment with the number of bacteria as much as 8.12 x 107 log CFU / g. Meanwhile, the total fungus had no significant effect (P&gt; 0.05) on all treatments. The conclusion of this research is the best chicken litter fermentation at 6 weeks duration of ripening. Produce a total of bacteria and fungi as much as 0.25 x 103 CFU/g and indicated that they were not pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Current Insight into Culture-Dependent and Culture-Independent Methods in Discovering Ascomycetous Taxa.

Culture techniques are vital in both traditional and modern fungal taxonomy. Establishing sexual–asexual links and synanamorphs, extracting DNA and secondary metabolites are mainly based on cultures. However, it is widely accepted that a large number of species are not sporulating in nature while others cannot be cultured. Recent ecological studies based on culture-independent methods revealed these unculturable taxa, i.e., dark taxa. Recent fungal diversity estimation studies suggested that environmental sequencing plays a vital role in discovering missing species. However, Sanger sequencing is still the main approach in determining DNA sequences in culturable species. In this paper, we summarize culture-based and culture-independent methods in the study of ascomycetous taxa. High-throughput sequencing of leaf endophytes, leaf litter fungi and fungi in aquatic environments is important to determine dark taxa. Nevertheless, currently, naming dark taxa is not recognized by the ICN, thus provisional naming of them is essential as suggested by several studies.

Novel saprobic Hermatomyces species (Hermatomycetaceae, Pleosporales) from China (Yunnan Province) and Thailand.

During our survey of the diversity of woody litter fungi in China and Thailand, three Hermatomyces species were collected from dead woody twigs of Dipterocarpus sp. (Dipterocarpaceae) and Ehretiaacuminata (Boraginaceae). Both morphology and multigene analyses revealed two taxa as new species (Hermatomycesturbinatus and H.jinghaensis) and the remaining collections as new records of H.sphaericus. Hermatomycesturbinatus is characterized by 1) dimorphic conidia, having circular to oval lenticular conidia and 2) turbinate conidia consisting of two columns with two septa composed of 2–3 cells in each column. Hermatomycesjinghaensis is characterized by dimorphic conidia, having circular to oval lenticular conidia and clavate or subcylindrical to cylindrical conidia and consisting of one or two columns with 6–8 cells in each column. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, ITS, tub2, tef1-α and rpb2 sequence data supports the placement of these new taxa within Hermatomycetaceae with high statistical support.

Occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in leaf litter and roots of shaded coffee plantations under organic and conventional management

ABSTRACT Evidence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization of mat litter in various ecosystems plus previous reports of external mycelium of those fungi and mycorrhizal roots in litter from coffee plants and shade trees on coffee plantations suggest that they have a relationship with closed direct nutrient cycling between organic matter and living roots. This relationship was first proposed more than 50 years ago. Mycorrhizal symbiosis in tropical crops is affected by agricultural management practices. This study aimed to assess the [...]

Abundance of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Leaf Litter and Soil Layers in Forested Habitats in Poland.

Simple SummaryThe soil environment is an important reservoir for a wide variety of entomopathogenic fungi that can suppress insect populations, including agricultural and forestry pests. This research aims to investigate the species composition and density of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in the leaf litter and at different soil depths in different types of forests during different seasons (spring, autumn). The current study describes the density of four different genera of entomopathogenic fungi in forest soils and leaf litter. The densities of EPF were usually higher in leaf litter than soil, and Beauveria spp. were the most prevalent fungi among leaf litter and soil samples compared to other entomopathogenic fungi. This research will give new insights into our understanding of EPF diversity and composition in forests.This study aims to determine the species composition and density of colony-forming units (CFU) of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in leaf litter at different depths of the top layer of forest soils depending on the type of forest (coniferous, deciduous and mixed forest), and the date of sampling (spring, autumn). In each type of forest, leaf litter and soil were collected using a soil stick from four depths of soil: 0–5, 5–10, 10–15 and 15–20 cm. Entomopathogenic fungi were isolated by a soil or litter dilution plating method on a selective medium. Four fungal genera were found: Beauveria spp., Cordyceps spp., Metarhizium spp., and Lecanicillium spp. The density of EPF was usually higher in leaf litter than in the layers of soil below, and the most frequently isolated species from both environments were Beauveria spp. among soil samples from all forest types; Beauveria spp. were most abundant in the top layer (0–5 cm), and their density of CFUs gradually decreased deeper into the soil profile.