Culturable Fungi Research Articles

Antioxidant and L-asparaginase activities of culturable endophytic fungi from ornamental Dendrobium orchids.

This study reports the antioxidant potential and L-asparaginase production of culturable fungal endophytes from Dendrobium orchids in Malaysia. Twenty-nine isolates were screened using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay to determine their free radical scavenging activities and antioxidant capacity (IC50 and AEAC). L-asparaginase production of fungal endophytes was detected by the qualitative plate assay, and the enzyme activities estimated via the Nesslerization method. All 29 endophytic isolates exhibited various degrees of radical scavenging activities (35.37%-77.23%), with Fusarium fujikuroi (D1) identified as having the highest antioxidant capacity (IC50 6.097 mg/mL) and the highest AEAC value (11.55 mg/g). For L-asparaginase production, the majority of the isolates (89.66%) showed positive results, especially among the culturable species of Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Daldinia. Most Fusarium spp. were able to produce L-asparaginase (80.77%), but the highest L-asparaginase activity was detected in Daldinia eschscholtzii (D14) with 2.128 units/mL. Results from this study highlighted the potential of endophytic fungi from medicinal orchids (Dendrobium sp.) as natural sources of bioactive compounds to be developed into novel antioxidants and anticancer drugs.

Effective Laser Fly Control with Modulated UV-A Light Trapping for Mushroom Fungus Gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae)

Fungus gnats (Sciaridae) are one of the most devastating pests on mushroom farms. Generally, they are controlled using relatively inefficient physical means, like sticky or pheromone traps, or with chemical pesticides. Here, we have proposed an integrated fungus gnat control system combining a UV-A LED source at 365 nm and a high-power laser diode at 445 nm. The 365 nm UV-A LED serves a light trap, since previous studies have concluded that fungus gnats show maximum attraction in the range of 365–390 nm. The UV-A LED is also modulated at different frequencies, and the response of the gnats corresponding to these different frequencies was observed. We utilized an Arduino Uno microcontroller to run the integrated device, and a BASLER USB camera was used to capture the images. Our experiments indicated that a frequency of 40 Hz is the optimal choice for attracting the gnats most rapidly. Within 20 s of exposure, the UV-A LED operated at 40 Hz was found to trap approximately 80% of the gnats. In a restricted trapping zone measuring 2.5 × 2.5 × 3 cm3, our integrated module, which includes a 40 Hz modulated UV-A LED and a laser, resulted in a survival rate of only 50% for the total number of gnats. This outcome was accomplished through periodic 200 ms long exposures, amounting to a total duration of 2 min for a group of 100 gnats.

Mushroom Biomass Waste Is a Source of the Antioxidants Ergothioneine and Glutathione

Low-grade foodstuffs and unharvested materials from farms contribute a sizable amount of the waste that is disposed to landfills. Mushroom farms also contribute to this problem, as unmarketable fruiting bodies or parts of them are discarded in the waste stream. To limit the proportion of mushroom biomass waste that is deposited to landfills, we assessed whether culls of oyster and shiitake mushrooms and white button mushroom stem waste contain the antioxidants ergothioneine and glutathione. Enzyme-coupled spectrophotometric assays were used to assess the concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and its oxidized form glutathione disulfide in mushroom biomass waste. Ergothioneine analysis was performed with a high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Most of the biomass waste contained ergothioneine and GSH concentrations that were on par with each one of the fresh mushrooms. Conversely, white button mushroom stem waste contained 77% less GSH than market-ready mushrooms. Finally, as a proof-of-concept cation exchange column chromatography was used to capture ergothioneine from oyster mushroom culls. This strategy has the potential to produce gram quantities of high value ergothioneine per tonne of mushroom biomass waste. These findings provide a strategy for the valorization of mushroom biomass waste and its diversion from landfills.

Financial Literacy and Utilization of Oyster Mushroom Sawdust Blocks Waste

Persons disabled in the village of Argodadi have a coconut cultivation business. Baglog, as a mushroom-growing medium, can only be used for five harvests. After that, the mushroom farmer must replace it with a new sawdust block. Currently, oyster mushroom sawdust blocks waste has not been utilized to become a product of economic value. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs with disabilities also cannot manage finances well. In this study, a pilot empowerment project was carried out by utilizing oyster mushroom sawdust blocks waste to become a product that has economic value by cultivating red worms. The output of this activity is that mushroom entrepreneurs have skills in cultivating red worms by utilizing oyster mushroom sawdust blocks waste, and also can manage finances, assisting in recording transactions and preparing financial reports as well as having the ability to prepare proposals for funding submissions as additional capital

Adoption of paddy straw management techniques in Haryana: Effective approach on environmental conservation

Crop residue burning directly contributes to environmental pollution and releases 149.24 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), over 9 million tonnes of carbon monoxide (CO), 0.25 million tonnes of oxides of sulphur (SOX), 1.28 million tonnes of particulate matter and 0.07 million tonnes of black carbon. The burning of paddy straw results in extensive impacts both on and off farm, e.g. losses in soil organic matter, soil nutrients, production and productivity, air quality, biodiversity, water and energy efficiency and on human and animal health. In India, being a largest producer of rice as well as of its residue, the effects from residue burning are more severe (Yadav, R.S.2019). There are diverse set of productive techniques for paddy straw management that can be utilised such as composting, straw as a ruminant fodder, incorporated in the soil, gasification, bailing, mushroom farming, production of bio-fuel, recycling in soil, packing material and bio-char production (Pathaket al., 2010). The study on ‘Knowledge and Adoption of Paddy Straw Management Techniques in Haryana’ was conducted with following specific objectives of knowledge, adoption and constraints by the farmer in adoption of paddy straw management techniques. Majority (75 %) of the farmers were having low level of adoption regarding Paddy Straw Management Techniques. Whereas full (100%) adoption of paddy straw as animal fodder got Ist rank followed by domestic purpose got rank 2nd. The respondents had a greater level of acceptance adoption of Spreader/Shrub Master with weighted mean score of 0.95 got rank 1st.

Waste Management Practices for Mushroom Cultivation in Malaysia

Mushroom cultivation can be considered one of the best presentations of sustainable and circular economy activities. The growth substrate used for mushroom cultivation consists of other agricultural waste and its post-harvested waste. The waste product, Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS), could also be used for animal feeding, plant fertilizer, and feedstock for biogas. It is then essential to determine whether the SMS produced is being used for other purposes to ensure that mushroom agriculture activity is a sustainable and circular economy activity. Therefore, this study explores the mushroom industry's waste management practices in the Malaysian context. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 89 mushroom farmers. The results found that 60.7% of them manage SMS eco-friendly while only 16.9% handle plastic waste eco-friendly. This finding indicates that not all mushroom cultivation in Malaysia can be considered a sustainable and circular economic activity. Therefore, strategies should be formulated to increase the sustainable approach to managing SMS, such as workshops or providing comprehensive infrastructure and networks.

Types of vegetables shape composition, diversity, and co-occurrence networks of soil bacteria and fungi in karst areas of southwest China

BackgroundMicroorganisms are of significant importance in soil. Yet their association with specific vegetable types remains poorly comprehended. This study investigates the composition of bacterial and fungal communities in soil by employing high-throughput sequencing of 16 S rRNA genes and ITS rRNA genes while considering the cultivation of diverse vegetable varieties.ResultsThe findings indicate that the presence of cultivated vegetables influenced the bacterial and fungal communities leading to discernible alterations when compared to uncultivated soil. In particular, the soil of leafy vegetables (such as cabbage and kale) exhibited higher bacterial α-diversity than melon and fruit vegetable (such as cucumber and tomato), while fungal α-diversity showed an inverse pattern. The prevailing bacterial phyla in both leafy vegetable and melon and fruit vegetable soils were Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, Actinobacteriota, and Chloroflexi. In leafy vegetable soil, dominant fungal phyla included Ascomycota, Olpidiomycota, Mortierellomycota, and Basidiomycota whereas in melon and fruit vegetable soil. Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota, Basidiomycota, and Rozellomycota held prominence. Notably, the relative abundance of Ascomycota was lower in leafy vegetable soil compared to melon and fruit vegetable soil. Moreover, leafy vegetable soil exhibited a more complex and stable co-occurrence network in comparison to melon and fruit vegetable soil.ConclusionThe findings enhance our understanding of how cultivated soil bacteria and fungi respond to human disturbance, thereby providing a valuable theoretical basis for soil health in degraded karst areas of southwest China.

Characterization of culturable truffle-inhabiting fungi isolated from Tuber melanosporum, T. aestivum and T. borchii ascomata

Truffles in the genus Tuber host and feed a wide community of organisms including insects, bacteria, and fungi. Among microorganisms, truffle-inhabiting fungi (TIF) have been poorly investigated and only a limited number of yeast and filamentous species have been identified. In this work we isolated and barcoded culturable TIF from 16 ascomata of T. melanosporum, T. aestivum and T. borchii of different provenances. Eighteen strains were identified a species level, four at genus level and one at order level. Penicillium was the most represented genus with five species and the only TIF genus isolated from T. melanosporum ascomata. Six TIF had colonies with a yeast morphology, including two species of Candida. Five species (Leohumicola sp., Knufia tsunedae, Hypocreales sp., Sagenomella cf. verticillata, Kondoa sp.) had rare ITS sequences compared to those deposited in GenBank. Except Peniophora cinerea, all TIF identified in this work have never been reported in Tuber ascomata until now. In-depth investigations on TIF and their host specificity are needed to evaluate the effects of these fungi on the truffle life cycle and the quality of ascomata.

Pemberdayaan Kelompok Difabel “Argodadi Pinilih” Berbasis Usaha Tani Jamur

Disabled group "Argodadi Pinilih" has 40 active members. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some members to lose their jobs. Members of the disabled group began to try to cultivate oyster mushrooms in their homes and they also carried out their own maintenance. Some “baglog” cannot grow mushrooms because the environment where the mushrooms grow does not meet the requirements. The problems faced by the disabled group "Argodadi Pinilih" are low quantity and quality of oyster mushrooms, limited skills in making processed food from mushrooms and mushroom marketing is still limited. The objectives of this community empowerment activity are (a) increasing the quantity and quality of mushroom production (b) improving skills in the manufacture of processed food made from mushrooms, (c) expanding the mushroom market share. The methods used in the implementation of empowerment activities are (a) counseling on oyster mushroom cultivation and marketing strategies (b) training on processing food from oyster mushrooms, (c) facilitation house of mushroom and baglog. The results of the empowerment show that the training, mentoring and facilitation of mushroom house and “baglog” can increase the quantity and quality of oyster mushroom production, improve the skills in making processed food from mushrooms and expand the market share of oyster mushrooms. The knowledge and skills of the disabled group members about mushroom farming and processing increased as evidenced by the pre-test score of 79.23 and post-test of 86.00 with an increase 8.54%.

Green synthesis of SiO2 nanoparticles from Egyptian white sand using submerged and solid-state culture of fungi

This work aims to successfully produce silica nanoparticles (SNPs) from Egyptian white sand using the fungal bioleaching process as a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach. The impact of fungus cultivation techniques (submerged culture SMC and solid-state culture SSC) on the characteristics of the produced SNPs has been investigated. In addition, the most promising fungal isolates for each culture method were selected and identified by morphological and molecular methods. The biosynthesized SNPs were fully characterized by DLS, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and HRTEM studies. DLS results showed that Aspergillus niger solid-state culture had developed SNPs with a mean particle size distribution of about 3.6 nm, whereas Penicillium crustosum submerged culture developed SNPs with 50.7 nm. SEM images revealed that the prepared SNPs under SMC and SSC have sphere-shaped particles with smooth surfaces and semi-homogeneous characteristics. Moreover, the HRTEM imaging confirmed the spherical shape with an average size of 3.5 and 28.8 nm for the nanosilica synthesized during solid-state and submerged culture, respectively. Based on the results, we recommended using SSC to produce silica nanoparticles from white sand with a small nano-size, high purity, and better economical production. The scientific advances focused on some particular fungi's capacity to manufacture SNPs with high purity, small size, and techniques that were both economical and environmentally beneficial.Graphical

Suitability of maize crop residue fermented by Pleurotus ostreatus as feed for edible crickets: growth performance, micronutrient content, and iron bioavailability.

Small-scale farming of edible insects could help combat public health challenges such as protein energy malnutrition and anemia, but reliable low-cost feeds for insects are needed. In resource-limited contexts, where grains such as maize are prohibitively costly for use as insect feed, the feasibility of insect farming may depend on finding alternatives. Here, we explore the potential to modify plentiful maize crop residue with edible mushroom mycelium to generate a low-cost feed adjunct for the farmed two-spotted cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus. Mushroom farming, like insect agriculture, is versatile; it can yield nutritious food while increasing system circularity by utilizing lignocellulosic residues from row crops as inputs. Pleurotus ostreatus, is an edible basidiomycete capable of being cultivated on corn stover (Zea mays). Mushroom harvest results in abundant "spent" substrate, which we investigated as a candidate feed ingredient. We created six cricket feeds containing fermented Pleurotus substrate plus an unfermented control, measuring cricket mass, mortality, and maturation weekly to evaluate cricket growth performance impacts of both fungal fermentation duration and mushroom formation. Pasteurized corn stover was inoculated with P. ostreatus mycelium and fermented for 0, 2, 3, 4, or 8 weeks. Some 4 and 8-week substrates were induced to produce mushrooms through manipulations of temperature, humidity, and light conditions. Dried fermented stover (40%) was added to a 1:1 corn/soy grain mix and fed to crickets ad libitum for 44 days. The unfermented control group showed higher survivorship compared to several fermented diets. Control group mass yield was higher for 2 out of 6 fermented diets. Little variation in cricket iron content was observed via ICP-spectrometry across feeds, averaging 2.46 mg/100 g. To determine bioavailability, we conducted in vitro Caco-2 human colon epithelial cell absorption assays, showing that iron in crickets fed fruiting-induced substrates was more bioavailable than in unfruited groups. Despite more bioavailable iron in crickets reared on post-fruiting substrates, we conclude that Pleurotus-fermented stover is an unsuitable feed ingredient for G. bimaculatus due to high mortality, variability in growth responses within treatments, and low mass yield.

Biotechnological Applications of Mushrooms under the Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Crucial Aspects and Prospects from Farm to Pharmacy.

Mushrooms have always been an important source of food, with high nutritional value and medicinal attributes. With the use of biotechnological applications, mushrooms have gained further attention as a source of healthy food and bioenergy. This review presents different biotechnological applications and explores how these can support global food, energy, and water security. It highlights mushroom's relevance to meet the sustainable development goals of the UN. This review also discusses mushroom farming and its requirements. The biotechnology review includes sections on how to use mushrooms in producing nanoparticles, bioenergy, and bioactive compounds, as well as how to use mushrooms in bioremediation. The different applications are discussed under the water, energy, and food (WEF) nexus. As far as we know, this is the first report on mushroom biotechnology and its relationships to the WEF nexus. Finally, the review valorizes mushroom biotechnology and suggests different possibilities for mushroom farming integration.

Biodiversity of Endophytic Microbes in Diverse Tea Chrysanthemum Cultivars and Their Potential Promoting Effects on Plant Growth and Quality.

The endophytic microbiomes significantly differed across tea chrysanthemum cultivars and organs (stems and leaves). The most abundant endophytic bacterial genera were Pseudomonas, Masillia, and Enterobacter in the leaves and Sphingomonas and Curtobacterium in the stems of the five cultivars. Meanwhile, the most abundant endophytic fungal genera in the leaves and stems of the five tea chrysanthemums were Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Sporobolomyces. Specifically, Rhodotorula was dominant in the leaves of 'Jinsi huangjv' and Paraphoma was dominant in the stems of 'Jinsi huangjv'. In all cultivars, the diversity and richness of endophytic bacteria were higher in leaves than in stems (p < 0.05). The highest diversity and richness of endophytic bacteria were recorded in 'Chujv', followed by 'Jinsi huangjv', 'Fubai jv', 'Nannong jinjv', and 'Hangbai jv'. Meanwhile, endophytic fungi were less pronounced. Twenty-seven and 15 cultivable endophytic bacteria and fungi were isolated, four isolated endophytic bacteria, namely, CJY1 (Bacillus oryzaecorticis), CY2 (Pseudomonas psychrotolerans), JSJ7, and JSJ17 (Enterobacter cloacae) showed higher indole acetic acid production ability. Further field studies indicated that inoculation of these four endophytic bacteria not only promoted plant growth and yield but also increased total flavonoids, chlorogenic acid, luteolin, and 3,5-dicoffeylquinic acid levels in the dry flowers of tea chrysanthemums.

Sebagai Upaya Meningkatkan Pendapatan Masyarakat Desa Wonomerto Melakukan Budidaya Jamur Tiram Putih

Indonesia, with a hot climate and high humidity, is an ideal place for the growth of various types of mushrooms. And also, cultivating oyster mushrooms is quite easy when compared to others. Apart from that, the main advantage of oyster mushroom cultivation is that it does not require extensive permits, has a long relatively short harvest of about one to three months, and oyster mushroom seeds are easy to obtain at an affordable price. In this research, the Participatory Action Research (PAR) method is used, which is a research approach that involves the active participation of people involved in the context being studied. It is hoped that with the cultivation of oyster mushrooms in Wonotirto Hamlet which continues to grow, the situation can change so that it can increase the income of local residents. With the development of oyster mushroom cultivation in Indonesia, especially Wonomerto Village, it is hoped that the number of oyster mushroom farmers or entrepreneurs can continue to increase so that oyster mushroom production can also increase.&#x0D;

Agro-industrial waste based substrate for production of two major cultivated oyster mushrooms in sub-Himalayan West Bengall

Aim: To compare the outcomes of various agro-industrial wastes on the growth, yield and nutritional contents of two major cultivated oyster mushrooms, Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus djamor. Methodology: Locally available agro-industrial wastes were utilized as substrate in five formulations including rice straw alone and in combination with card board (7: 3), waste paper (7: 3), rice husk (17:3) and jack fruit saw dust (7:3). After sterilization substrates were inoculated with mature spawn and placed in cropping room. Results: Total yield, biological efficiency and nutritional contents were found better in the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus djamor cultivated on rice straw as the sole substrate than the mixed substrate formulations. Total colonization period (22.6 days for P. ostreatus and 20.2 days for P. djamor) was quite less for both the oyster mushroom cultivated in rice husk mixed substrate among mixed substrate formulations. Among mixed substrate formulations, highest total yield was obtained from waste paper mixed substrate for Pleurotus ostreatus (713.8 g) and card board mixed substrate for Pleurotus djamor (737.7 g). The highest carbohydrate content in Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus djamor were found in card board mixed substrate. Total protein content was high in fruiting bodies cultivated on saw dust mixed substrate for both the oyster mushrooms. Interpretation: Card board, waste paper, rice husk and saw dust mixed substrates showed relatively high fruiting body yield and nutritional values. It can be concluded that these agro-industrial waste appears to be the promising ingredients in combination with rice straw for cultivation of oyster mushroom. Key words: Agro-Industrial waste, Nutrition, Oyster mushrooms, Pleurotus, Rice straw

The Number and Species Diversity of Cultured Microfungi on the Barents Sea Coast

The number and diversity of cultivated microscopic fungi isolated from seawater, littoral and supralittoral soil on the coast of the Barents Sea were studied. Communities of microfungi are mainly represented by facultative marine fungi of terrigenous origin. The isolates mainly belonged to anamorphic fungi of the department Ascomycota and are represented by the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, Talaromyces, Trichoderma, Acremonium etc., characteristic of the cold northern seas. The frequently found species in the study area were Aspergillus brasiliensis, Penicillium hirsutum, P. glabrum, P. spinulosum, P. janczewskii, Trichoderma koningii, T. viride, Talaromyces purpureogenus. The number of fungi in the supralittoral soil is two to three orders of magnitude higher than in the soils of the littoral zone and averaged from 4 to 13 thousand CFU/g. In sea water, the number of fungi was only a few units per ml. The maximum number of saccharolytic fungi was noted in the soils of the supralittoral zone. In the soils of the littoral and sea water, the number of hydrocarbon-oxidizing fungi varied from 52.5 to 143.3 CFU/g and from 0 to 4 CFU/ml, respectively. The number of saccharolytics varied from 0 to 113 CFU/g in the littoral soil and from 0 to 3 CFU/mL in sea water in all the studied areas, except for the most polluted ones, where it reached values of 200 CFU/g. An increase in the proportion of saccharolytic fungi in sea water and littoral may indicate anthropogenic pollution of the area, including hydrocarbons and other organic compounds. The urbanized areas of the Kola Bay with a high anthropogenic load were characterized by a richer species diversity and an increase in the proportion of pathogenic and opportunistic forms of microscopic fungi. A high level of hydrocarbon pollution negatively affected the number of saccharolytic fungi, while lower values of hydrocarbon content did not affect the number of saccharolytics. The number of fungi grown on Czapek’s mineral medium decreased as the amount of hydrocarbons both in sea water and in the littoral zone increased, which may indicate a high vulnerability of marine microfungi to pollution.

The culturable leaf mycobiome of Viscum album subsp. austriacum

AbstractIn Poland's pine forests, mistletoe (Viscum album subsp. austriacum) abundance has increased over the past 20 years. This mistletoe infestation has decreased the growth and vigour of Scots pine trees. In this study, we surveyed the culturable fungi from healthy and diseased V. album subsp. austriacum leaves from two stands in Poland. In total, 63 distinct species were identified, 99.8% of which belonged to the phylum Ascomycota. The community compositions of fungi in mistletoe leaves were similar in healthy and diseased leaves as Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botryosphaeria visci, Fusarium paeoniae and Microsphaeropsis olivacea were consistently found in leaves of all symptom types. The most frequently isolated fungus from asymptomatic leaves was M. olivacea, followed by A. alternata, A. pullulans and Hypoxylon rubiginosum. In comparison, the most frequently isolated fungi from leaves with rusty‐brown necrotic spots were (in decreasing order) M. olivacea, B. visci, F. paeoniae and A. alternata, while the most frequently isolated fungi from leaves with black or dark brown spots were M. olivacea, A. alternata, A. pullulans, Epicoccum layuense and F. paeoniae. This study was the first comprehensive report showing that certain fungal species may be pathogens of V. album subsp. austriacum in Poland. This study was also the first report of F. paeoniae, F. juglandicola, Diaporthe vacuae and Heterotruncatella spartii from V. album, and the first report of D. vacuae and H. spartii in Poland.

Improving the efficiency of management decision-making: developing a simulation model of a cultivated mushroom farm

Industrial production of edible mushrooms is now regarded as an independent agricultural industry not dependent on the seasonality of work inherent in most agricultural operations. Since agricultural production is characterized by high consumption of resources, cultivation and harvesting of mushroom produce are carried out by means of specialized technical and technological equipment, allowing one to provide the necessary microclimate conditions. These issues can be solved by using intensive technological resource-saving processes, which provide a sufficient level of production profitability. In this regard, there is a need to develop an economic-mathematical model able to simulate the process of the enterprise as an example. The study aims to develop a simulation model of a mushroom farm to improve the effectiveness of management decisions. The study employs the AnyLogic simulation instrument to create a model and test its accuracy with the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus oyster mushrooms. The authors develop a model of a farm for growing cultivated mushrooms and describe the created model, the algorithm of its operation, and the created interface. This model gives an idea about the optimal conditions for the cultivation of mushrooms and can be used for decision-making in techno-management complexes.

Continued Organic Fertigation after Basal Manure Application Does Not Impact Soil Fungal Communities, Tomato Yield or Soil Fertility.

There is currently a limited understanding of the complex response of fungal microbiota diversity to organic fertigation. In this work, a 2-year field trial with organic tomato crops in a soil previously amended with fresh sheep manure was conducted. Two hypotheses were compared: (i) fertigation with organic liquid fertilizers versus (ii) irrigation with water. At the end of both years, soils were analyzed for physical-chemical parameters and mycobiome variables. Plate culture and DNA metabarcoding methods were performed in order to obtain a detailed understanding of soil fungal communities. Fertigation did not increase any of the physical-chemical parameters. Concerning soil fungal communities, differences were only found regarding the identification of biomarkers. The class Leotiomycetes and the family Myxotrichaceae were identified as biomarkers in the soil fungal community analyzed by means of DNA metabarcoding of the "fertigation" treatment at the end of Year 1. The Mortierella genus was detected as a biomarker in the "water" treatment, and Mucor was identified in the "fertigation" treatment in the cultivable soil fungi at the end of Year 2. In both years, tomato yield and fruit quality did not consistently differ between treatments, despite the high cost of the fertilizers added through fertigation.

Culturable fungi from urban soils in China II, with the description of 18 novel species in Ascomycota (Dothideomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, Leotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes).

As China's urbanisation continues to advance, more people are choosing to live in cities. However, this trend has a significant impact on the natural ecosystem. For instance, the accumulation of keratin-rich substrates in urban habitats has led to an increase in keratinophilic microbes. Despite this, there is still a limited amount of research on the prevalence of keratinophilic fungi in urban areas. Fortunately, our group has conducted in-depth investigations into this topic since 2015. Through our research, we have discovered a significant amount of keratinophilic fungi in soil samples collected from various urban areas in China. In this study, we have identified and characterised 18 new species through the integration of morphological and phylogenetic analyses. These findings reveal the presence of numerous unexplored fungal taxa in urban habitats, emphasising the need for further taxonomic research in urban China.