Penicillium Pinophilum Research Articles

Effectiveness of the Fungal Metabolite 3-O-Methylfunicone towards Canine Coronavirus in a Canine Fibrosarcoma Cell Line (A72).

Canine coronavirus (CCoV), an alphacoronavirus, may cause self-limiting enteric disease in dogs, especially in puppies. The noteworthy plasticity of coronaviruses (CoVs) occurs through mutation and recombination processes, which sometimes generate new dangerous variants. The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the isolation of a novel canine-feline recombinant alphacoronavirus from humans emphasizes the cross-species transmission ability of CoVs. In this context, exploring antiviral compounds is essential to find new tools for fighting against CoVs infections. Fungi produce secondary metabolites, which are often developed as antibiotics, fungicides, hormones, and plant growth regulators. Previous examinations of benzo-γ-pyrone 3-O-methylfunicone (OMF), obtained from Talaromyces pinophilus, showed that it reduces the infectivity of hepatitis C virus and bovine herpesvirus 1. Based on this evidence, this study evaluated the antiviral ability of OMF against CCoV infection in a canine fibrosarcoma (A72) cell line. During CCoV infection, a non-toxic dose of OMF markedly increased features of cell viability. Moreover, OMF induced a significant reduction in virus yield in the presence of an intense downregulation of the viral nucleocapsid protein (NP). These findings occurred in the presence of a marked reduction in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression. Taken together, preliminary findings suggest that OMF inhibiting AhR shows promising activity against CCoV infection.

Two Subgroups within the GH43_36 α-l-Arabinofuranosidase Subfamily Hydrolyze Arabinosyl from Either Mono-or Disubstituted Xylosyl Units in Wheat Arabinoxylan.

Fungal arabinofuranosidases (ABFs) catalyze the hydrolysis of arabinosyl substituents (Ara) and are key in the interplay with other glycosyl hydrolases to saccharify arabinoxylans (AXs). Most characterized ABFs belong to GH51 and GH62 and are known to hydrolyze the linkage of α-(1→2)-Ara and α-(1→3)-Ara in monosubstituted xylosyl residues (Xyl) (ABF-m2,3). Nevertheless, in AX a substantial number of Xyls have two Aras (i.e., disubstituted), which are unaffected by ABFs from GH51 and GH62. To date, only two fungal enzymes have been identified (in GH43_36) that specifically release the α-(1→3)-Ara from disubstituted Xyls (ABF-d3). In our research, phylogenetic analysis of available GH43_36 sequences revealed two major clades (GH43_36a and GH43_36b) with an expected substrate specificity difference. The characterized fungal ABF-d3 enzymes aligned with GH43_36a, including the GH43_36 from Humicola insolens (HiABF43_36a). Hereto, the first fungal GH43_36b (from Talaromyces pinophilus) was cloned, purified, and characterized (TpABF43_36b). Surprisingly, TpABF43_36b was found to be active as ABF-m2,3, albeit with a relatively low rate compared to other ABFs tested, and showed minor xylanase activity. Novel specificities were also discovered for the HiABF43_36a, as it also released α-(1→2)-Ara from a disubstitution on the non-reducing end of an arabinoxylooligosaccharide (AXOS), and it was active to a lesser extent as an ABF-m2,3 towards AXOS when the Ara was on the second xylosyl from the non-reducing end. In essence, this work adds new insights into the biorefinery of agricultural residues.

Optimization and identification of siderophores produced by Pseudomonas monteilii strain MN759447 and its antagonism toward fungi associated with mortality in Dalbergia sissoo plantation forests.

Siderophore-positive bacteria present in the rhizosphere and in bulk soil assist plants by either inhibiting phytopathogen proliferation or increasing plant growth. The bacterial diversity of the Shisham forest ecosystem in the Tarai region of the Western Himalayas was studied and used for siderophore production, taking into account the large-scale dieback and wilt-induced mortality in Dalbergia sissoo (common name: shisham) plantation forests and the importance of soil microbes in tree health. In addition, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, and Streptomyces were prominent siderophore-positive bacteria in Shisham forests. Pseudomonas species are known for their remarkable siderophore-producing ability. Bacterial siderophores inhibit pathogen growth by rapidly lowering the number of ferric ions in the rhizosphere. The Pseudomonas monteilii strain MN759447 was isolated from a D. sissoo plantation forest at the Agroforestry Research Centre, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand (28°58'N 79°25'E/28.97°N 79.41°E). It produces a significant number of siderophore units (80.36% in total). A two-stage optimization of growth factors was attempted in the strain MN759447 for better siderophore recovery. In the first-stage single-factor experiment, among the five variables studied, only pH, NH4NO3 concentration, and Fe concentration affected siderophore synthesis. In the second stage, an optimization of pH, NH4NO3 concentration, and Fe concentration for improved growth and enhanced siderophore production was carried out using a Box-Behnken design with response surface methodology. By using LC-MS, two derivatives of pseudomonine, salicylic acid, and kynurenic acid were detected as siderophores in the purified XAD-2 methanol extract of the P. monteilii strain MN759447. In addition to siderophore production, the P. monteilii strain MN759447 also exhibited a broad range of antagonistic activity against Aspergillus calidoustus (65%), Fusarium oxysporum (41.66%), Talaromyces pinophilus (65%), and Talaromyces verruculosus (65.1%) that are linked to sissoo mortality. To our knowledge, this is the first report on siderophore-producing bacteria isolated, identified, and characterized from the D. sissoo Roxb. forest habitat. This strain can also be developed as a commercial product.

Variability in metabolites produced by Talaromyces pinophilus SPJ22 cultured on different substrates

BackgroundSeveral metabolites released by fungal species are an essential source of biologically active natural substances. Gas chromatography high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-HRTOF-MS) is one of the techniques used in profiling the metabolites produced by microorganisms, including Talaromyces pinophilus. However, there is limited information regarding differential substrates’ impacts on this fungal strain’s metabolite profiling. This study examined the metabolite profile of T. pinophilus strain SPJ22 cultured on three different media, including solid czapek yeast extract agar (CYA), malt extract agar (MEA) and potato dextrose agar (PDA) using GC-HRTOF-MS. The mycelia including the media were plugged and dissolved in 5 different organic solvents with varying polarities viz.: acetonitrile, dichloromethane, hexane, 80% methanol and water, and extracts analysed on GC-HRTOF-MS.ResultsThe study revealed the presence of different classes of metabolites, such as fatty acids (2.13%), amides (4.26%), alkanes (34.04%), furan (2.13%), ketones (4.26%), alcohols (14.89%), aromatic compounds (6.38%), and other miscellaneous compounds (17.02%). Significant metabolites such as acetic acid, 9-octadecenamide, undecanoic acid methyl ester, hydrazine, hexadecane, nonadecane, eicosane, and other compounds reported in this study have been widely documented to have plant growth promoting, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and biofuel properties. Furthermore, T. pinophilus grown on PDA and MEA produced more than twice as many compounds as that grown on CYA.ConclusionThus, our result showed that the production of essential metabolites from T. pinophilus is substrate dependent, with many of these metabolites known to have beneficial characteristics, and as such, this organism can be utilised as a sustainable and natural source for these useful organic molecules.

Phosphorus and potassium supplementing bio-mineral fertilizer augments soil fertility and improves fruit yield and quality of pomegranate

• A bio-mineral fertilizer (BMF) was developed to replace chemical fertilizer. • The BMF was developed from low-grade minerals combined with P and K mobilizer. • The BMF was found as effective as P and K chemical fertilizers in pomegranate cultivation. • BMF application remarkably improves fruit yield and quality of as well as soil fertility. Large-scale use of chemical fertilizers has brought about environmental pollution and raised food safety issues besides increasing the cost of production. The present study focused on using natural minerals inoculated with nutrient mobilizing microorganism so - called bio - mineral fertilizer to partially substitute chemical fertilizers dose. Two years of field trials and a pot culture experiment were carried out with pomegranate to look into the possibility of bio-mineral fertilizer use in saving phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) chemical fertilizers application and in improving soil fertility, tree nutrition, and fruit quality. Results manifested that application of bio-mineral fertilizer significantly enhanced available nitrogen (N), P, and K content of soil and also improved concentration of P, K, magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S) in the tree foliage. As a consequence, higher fruit yield with perceptible improvement in quality attributes viz. aril percent, 100 arils test weight, juice acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenolics, anthocyanin concentration was observed in bio-mineral treated trees. The highest yield (73.97% increase over control) was recorded with the application of 150 g tree −1 bio-mineral fertilizer which was equivalent to the yield obtained with the recommended dose of P and K chemical fertilizers. In addition, the application of bio-mineral fertilizer led to improvement in the nutritional quality of fruit and also soil microbial environment as indicated by higher microbial biomass carbon and enzymes activities. So, the results indicate that Penicillium pinophilum based bio-mineral fertilizer may be recommended to supplement P and K requirement of pomegranate tree and get maximum benefits in terms of yield, quality, and production cost savings.

Biotransformation of testosterone by the filamentous fungus Penicillium pinophilum.

The microbial biotransformation is a robust procedure in developing steroids and fungi are practical tools in this process; therefore, the fungal modification of testosterone by Penicillium pinophilum was investigated. The three prominent metabolites, including 14α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (II), 14α-hydroxytestosterone (III), and 11α-hydroxytestosterone (IV), were isolated and characterized by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. The time course profile showed that the content of the metabolites II and III began to decrease after 96 and 24h, respectively. In comparison, the content of the metabolite IV remained stable after 24h. In silico studies showed that the probability of binding to the androgen receptor remains high for all three metabolites. However, the probability of binding to the estrogen receptors α and β increased for metabolite IV but decreased for metabolite III. Penicillium pinophilum as a potentially viable biocatalyst could hydroxylate C-11α and C-14α positions and oxidize the C-17β hydroxyl group to 17-ketone in testosterone molecule.

Phosphate Mobilization by Culturable Fungi and Their Capacity to Increase Soil P Availability and Promote Barley Growth.

Large-scale screening of 848 culturable soil and endophytic filamentous fungi and yeasts for the ability to mobilize inorganic and organic P compounds was performed. Five strains of filamentous fungi having the highest level of phosphate-mobilizing ability were selected: Penicillium bilaiae Pb14, P. bilaiae C11, P. rubens EF5, Talaromyces pinophilus T14, and Aspergillus sp. D1. These strains in vitro actively solubilized Ca, Al, and Fe phosphates and Ca phytate. The amount of mobilized P negatively correlated with pH of the medium and positively correlated with fungal biomass. The proposed mechanisms for P mobilization were acidification of the medium, organic acid release, and phosphatase activity. The fungi decreased pH of the medium from 7.0 to 2.3-5.0. Ten different organic acids were produced by fungi with pyruvic acid being a major component. Acid phosphatase activity varied from 0.12 EU to 0.84 EU, and alkaline phosphatase activity varied from 0.08 EU to 0.61 EU depending on the strain. Available P concentration in soil was increased by 13-28% after introduction of the fungi. The fungi also produced phytohormones auxins, salicylic acid, and abscisic acid. All the strains, except Aspergillus sp. D1, promoted elongation and increased biomass of barley seedlings grown in soil. Shoot P concentration increased by 17-26% after inoculation with P. bilaiae Pb14, T. pinophilus T14, and Aspergillus sp. D1. It was concluded that the selected fungal strains promoted plant growth due to P mobilization and phytohormone production.

Analysis the nutrient of bio-vermicompost with different techniques applications of some microbes and earthworms

Vermicompost is an organic fertilizer resulting from the decomposition of organic materials by utilizing earthworms. The presence of these microorganisms means that vermicompost contains compounds that are needed to increase soil fertility or for plant growth. This study aims to analyze the nutrients of bio-vermicompost with a combination of application techniques of beneficial microbes and earthworms. This study used a factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The first factor is the application of microbes and earthworms with 4 treatments, T0: without earthworm, T1: application microbe followed (one week) by earthworm, T2: application microbe and earthworm in same time, T3: application earthworm followed (one week) by microbe. The second factor is the type of microbe with 4 treatments, M1: Azospirillum sp, M2: Azotobacter chroococum, M3: Trichoderma asperellum, M4: Talaromyces pinophilus. The results showed that the application technique had a significant effect on C-organic, C/N ratio, pH, P2O5, and K2O. The combination of both treatments significantly affect to the water content. The highest N was found in A3M1 (earthworm application followed by Azospirillum) which was 2.19%. The combination of A2M2 (Application of earthworms and Azotobacter at the same time) is the best combination in increasing the content of P2O5 (1.225%) and K2O5 (2.245%).

Isolation and <i>in vitro</i> studies on indigenous fungi against root-knot nematode, <i>Meloidogyne incognita</i>

The present study was carried out to evaluate the indigenous fungi from soil against the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. Eleven isolates were isolated and screened for their efficacy against nematode under in vitro condition for egg hatching and juvenile mortality. The results revealed that the isolate F6 showed the highest egg hatching inhibition (88.5%) followed by F11 and F7 compared to control after incubation for 72 h. The highest juvenile mortality of 73% was recorded in isolate F6 followed by F11 and F9 after 72 h. Isolate F6 was morphologically and molecularly identified as Talaromyces pinophilus and F9 and F11 were identified as Aspergillus corrugates and Aspergillus nidulans. Among the fungi, T. pinophilus was found to be highly effective against root knot nematode.

Diversity of potassium solving microbes on andisol soil affected by the eruption of Mount Sinabung, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Sembiring M, Sabrina T. 2022. Diversity of potassium solving microbes on andisol soil affected by the eruption of Mount Sinabung, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 1759-1764. Potassium (K) is one of the macronutrients needed by plants for seeds' growth, development, and quality. Andisols covered by volcanic ash from Mount Sinabung contain potassium ranging from 0.39-0.58 me/100g. The use of microbes is one of the alternatives methods to increase the availability of potassium in the soil that can be absorbed by plants. This study aimed to find environment-specific superior potassium-solvent microbes. Soil sampling was carried out in Kutarayat Village, Nama Teran Sub-district, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The method used is random composite sampling by taking samples from 4 different locations. Sampling points were taken on Andisol soil that had been processed, covered with thin, medium, and thick ash. Sampling was carried out at a depth of 0-20 cm from the ground surface around the rhizosphere area. Isolation of bacteria and fungi was carried out by using multilevel dilutions. The microbes obtained after using the pour plate method were identified at molecular level by using PCR. Microbial potential test was carried out by using andisol soil which was incubated for 30 days. Parameters observed were soil pH, exchangeable potassium, soil organic carbon, and microbial population. 7 bacterial isolates and 3 potassium solubilizing fungi were isolated and identified during the present study. All bacterial and fungal isolates obtained were able to increase the availability of potassium soil exchange. The research results show that Talaromyces pinophilus can increase potassium soil exchange up to 102.94%.

Fungal diversity and ex vitro symbiotic germination of Serapias vomeracea (Orchidaceae)

Conservation of orchids can be possible with effective seed germination and seedling growth methods. In this context, ex vitro symbiotic seed germination and seedling growth of orchid seeds may be convenient and advantageous. In this study, both the diversity of the root endophytic fungi in Serapias vomeracea (Burm.f.) Briq. and the ex vitro effects of these fungi on seed germination, seedling development and tuber formation were revealed. The fungi were isolated monthly for two years from S. vomeracea roots and the isolates were identified based on morphological characters and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences. All of the Rhizoctonia-like isolates that joined the mycorrhizal association were closely related to Tulasnella calospora (thirty isolates). Non-Rhizoctonia isolates are closely related to Fusarium tricinctum (two isolates), Aspergillus spelaeus (one isolate) and Talaromyces pinophilus (Pezizales) (one isolate). The viability rate of the seeds was 90.32%. The seed packs were placed in soils containing fungus and the germination process was followed. All isolates associated with Tulasnella calospora promoted germination and seedling development. Isolate Svl 21 (Tulasnella sp.) was found to have the highest germination rate (98%) but isolate Svl 4 developed seedlings with advanced leaves (stage 4 (S4): seedlings with advanced leaves and/or rooted, 13.67%). All seedlings at S4 were transferred to the natural environment; the first tubers were observed seven months after. In this study, for the first time, a tuberous European orchid, S. vomeracea developed from seed to adult plant in a natural environment.

Diversity of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and fungi from andisol soil affected by the eruption of Mount Sinabung, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Sembiring M, Sabrina T. 2021. Diversity of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and fungi from andisol soil affected by the eruption of Mount Sinabung, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 713-719. Phosphate solubilizing microbes are present in all locations with different population levels. The eruption of Mount Sinabung in 2013 resulted in changes in soil pH and the soil’s microbial population, such as phosphate solubilizing microbes. This research aimed to obtain environmentally-specific phosphate solubilizing microbes derived from andisol soil impacted by the eruption of Mount Sinabung, which excelled in increasing the availability of phosphate. Sampling was conducted in Desa Kutarayat, Naman Teran Sub-district, Karo District, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Isolation of phosphate solubilizing microbes was carried out on pikovskaya media, and test of phosphate solubilizing microbes potential was conducted on solid and liquid pikovskaya media. Organic acid content was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and microbial identification was performed using PCR-sequencing. The result showed that 4 isolates of each phosphate-soluble fungi and bacteria were isolated from andisol soil affected by the eruption of Sinabung mountain. It was also observed that phosphate solubilizing microbes’ ability to produce organic acids varied. The obtained fungi could dissolve P in some phosphate source either on solid media or liquid medium. Talaromyces pinophilus (J2) can increase the highest availability of P in andisol soil.

Cellulolytic fungi modify the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents of organic fertilizers

Cellulolytic fungi are involved in releasing nutrients from organic sources. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of cellulolytic fungi on the total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P), and total potassium (K) contents in different organic fertilizers. This study was arranged in randomized block design 3 X 3 with three replications. There were two factors, cellulolytic fungi (Talaromyces pinophilus strain MR107, Penicillium sp. isolate SR18, and Purpureocillium lilacinum isolate PIGD23i) and organic fertilizers (cow manure, compost, and vermicompost). The results indicated that Penicillium sp. isolate SR18 had a better effect than other cellulolytic fungi species on tot. N, tot. P and tot. K contents of cow manure; tot. N and tot. K contents of compost; and tot. P content of vermicompost while P. lilacinum isolate PIGD23i showed a better effect on tot. N and tot. K contents of vermicompost. The highest tot. N, and tot. K contents were found in P. lilacinum isolate PIGD23i-inoculated vermicompost while the tot. P content was in Penicillium sp. isolate SR18-inoculated vermicompost. Overall, adding cellulolytic fungi is an alternative way to improve the nutrient content of organic fertilizer.

Modulation of Phytochemicals and Essential Trace Elements in Fruits of Different Tomato Cultivars by the Endophytic Fungus Penicillium pinophilum EU0013.

The present study investigated the effects of the endophytic fungus, Penicillium pinophilum EU0013 on fruit phytochemical indices and essential trace elements in five tomato cultivars. In a completely randomized design, inoculated and uninoculated seedlings of tomato cultivars (Momotaro, Rodeo, Anaya, Reika, and Cherry) were raised for sixteen weeks in a greenhouse. Fruit fresh weights and root colonization by P. pinophilum were significantly higher in the Rodeo cultivar than in the other cultivars tested. Significant effects of the cultivar, inoculation, and interaction on fruit dry weights were‍ ‍observed with higher values in Anaya inoculated with P. pinophilum. Cultivar and inoculation effects were significant for ascorbic acid and soluble sugars in four cultivars, with increases being observed due to the P. pinophilum inoculation. Lycopene levels increased in Rodeo and decreased in Anaya, while β-carotene levels increased in four cultivars due to the inoculation. Manganese concentrations were significantly increased in Cherry, while iron concentrations were increased in Reika and Cherry. Increases due to the inoculation were observed for gibberellic acids (GA1 and GA4) in Reika and Anaya, whereas decreases were detected in Cherry and Rodeo. Similar results were obtained for abscisic acids (ABA) with increases in Reika and Anaya due to the inoculation. P. pinophilum EU0013 demonstrated the ability to improve the nutritive value of tomato fruits via modulations to phytochemicals in addition to increases in Mn and Fe concentrations, particularly in Cherry and Rodeo. Cultivar responses to the P. pinophilum inoculation are a factor that need to be considered for its use in increasing fruit quality indices in tomato.

Impact of integrated nutrient management and fertigation on growth parameters of papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. Arka Prabhath under net house

An experiment was conducted under insect proof net to assess the impact of integrated nutrient management and fertigation levels on growth parameters of papaya cv. Arka Prabhath. The experiment was laid out in CRD with three replications and twelve treatments. Results indicated that crop growth such as plant height, girth, number of leaves and leaf petiole length were significantly higher in treatment containing 100 per cent RDF through Fertigation + Trichokavach (50 g plant−1) + Chitosan (20 g plant−1) + Seaweed extract (20 g plant−1) + Penicillium pinophilum (20 g plant−1) + Pseudomonas putidda (4 ml L−1) + Phosphoric acid (20 ml L−1 plant−1) + Salicylic acid (300 ppm) + Power plus (5 ml L−1) at compared to control.

Developing iterative and quantified transgenic manipulations of non-conventional filamentous fungus Talaromyces pinophilus Li-93

Talaromyces pinophilus is a filamentous fungus that can be employed for the remarkable high production of biomass-degrading enzymes used in biorefining and the modification of natural products. However, the genetic tools of T. pinophilus have not been advanced sufficiently, thus limiting its utilization and exploitation. Here, we conducted a systematic study on genetic tools exploitation of T. pinophilus Li-93, and established a marker recycle transformation system to meet the requirements of iterative manipulations of transgenic modification. Furthermore, to enable the quantitative expression of functional genes, a series of promoters with different strengths were mined from transcriptomic data and characterized by detecting with the fluorescent sensor. These promoters may be employed in the fine transcriptional regulation of functional genes and the construction of cell factories, to produce valuable industrial products in T. pinophilus. In conclusion, our work provides useful genetic modification tools in T. pinophilus and lays the foundation for exploiting the significant industrial value of T. pinophilus.

The Effect of Endophytic Talaromyces pinophilus on Growth, Absorption and Accumulation of Heavy Metals of Triticum aestivum Grown on Sandy Soil Amended by Sewage Sludge.

Sewage sludge improves agricultural soil and plant growth, but there are risks associated with its use, including high heavy metal content. In this study, experiments were carried out to investigate the role of endophytic Talaromyces pinophilus MW695526 on the growth of Triticum aestivum cultivated in soil amended with sewage sludge and its phytoremediation ability. T. pinophilus could produce gibberellic acid (GA) and stimulate T. aestivum to accumulate GA. The results showed that inoculation with T. pinophilus boosted plant growth criteria, photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes (soluble proteins, soluble sugars and total amino acids), enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase), K, Ca and Mg. On the other hand, it reduced Na, Na/K ratio, Cd, Ni, Cu and Zn in the growth media as well as in the shoot and root of T. aestivum. The results suggest that endophytic T. pinophilus can work as a barrier to reduce the absorption of heavy metals in T. aestivum cultivated in soil amended with sewage sludge.

IMPACTO DEL CAMBIO EN EL MANEJO DEL CULTIVO DE TRIGO DE CONVENCIONAL A ORGÁNICO SOBRE LAS COMUNIDADES FÚNGICAS CULTIVABLES DEL SUELO EN EL VALLE DEL YAQUI, MÉXICO

El uso de fertilizantes orgánicos en el Valle del Yaqui tiende a reducir la degradación del suelo en la producción de trigo, sin embargo, todavía no se han evaluado los impactos biológicos de esta práctica en el suelo. El objetivo de este experimento fue cuantificar el impacto del cambio en el manejo del cultivo de trigo, de convencional a orgánico, sobre la reducción de la degradación fúngica del suelo, por medio del análisis de sus poblaciones fúngicas cultivables y su diversidad. La hipótesis fue que la aportación de fertilizantes orgánicos al cultivo de trigo produce cambios positivos en las propiedades fisicoquímicas del suelo, lo cual beneficia a las poblaciones de hongos, y disminuye su degradación. Tres campos comerciales de trigo se seleccionaron con 1) fertilización sintética convencional (SF), 2) fertilización sintética más fertilización orgánica (SF+OF) y 3) sólo fertilización orgánica (OF). Los sitios de estudio bajo OF y SF+OF vs. SF mostraron mayores, contenidos de materia orgánica (1.5, 1.6 vs. 0.45%), población de hongos (1.7x105, 9.1x104 vs. 1.6x104 CFU g-1 de suelo seco) y diversidad (12, 12 vs. 2). Con base en el análisis filogenético, se aislaron 9, 11 y 2 géneros de hongos de los sitios de estudio bajo fertilización orgánica, sintética + orgánica y sintética, respectivamente. La diversidad metabólica de las cepas fúngicas obtenidas mostró que la producción de indoles osciló entre 0.5 y 65.4 μg mL-1; el hongo Stachybotrys sp. TSM35 fue el productor de indoles mayor. La solubilización de fosfatos mayor (21%) se observó en la cepa Talaromyces pinophilus TSO42 y la cepa con producción de sideróforos mayor (33.9%) fue Volutella ciliata TSM43. Además, el 60% de las cepas mostraron riesgos potenciales para la salud (α- o β-hemólisis). La rotación de convencional a orgánico en el cultivo del trigo logró cambios positivos en las propiedades fisicoquímicas del suelo, en la diversidad y características metabólicas de las poblaciones fúngicas cultivable. El control de la calidad microbiológica de los fertilizantes orgánicos se necesita para evitar riesgos microbiológicos en los sistemas agronómicos, causados por la introducción de cepas con potencial patogénico.

Reduction of verticillium wilt in tomato by an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus - Rhizophagus intraradices and an endophytic fungus - Penicillium pinophilum is cultivar dependent

Verticillium wilt is a major concern in vegetable production due to its broad host range, world-wide distribution, vascular colonization, and resilient microsclerotia. This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and tolerance to Verticillium dahliae in two tomato cultivars inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)- Rhizophagus intraradices 15S-1 and an endophytic fungus- Penicillium pinophilum EU0013. In a randomized factorial layout, seedlings of tomato cultivars (Momotaro, Rodeo) were inoculated with beneficial microbes and V. dahliae pathogen and raised until maturity under greenhouse condition. In vitro dual culture indicated the growth inhibition of V. dahliae by P. pinophilum after one month on PDA media. Root colonization by R. intraradices and P. pinophilum were modulated in response to V. dahliae in a cultivar-dependent manner. While Momotaro showed greater foliar and internal disease symptoms than Rodeo, P. pinophilum and R. intraradices significantly reduced disease incidence, compared to control. Verticillium-induced reductions in root and fruit dry weights in Rodeo and Momotaro were reduced by P. pinophilum, while AMF generally boosted fruit weights. Co-inoculation of R. intraradices and P. pinophilum did not consistently improve host growth indices compared to single inoculation, and modulations in mineral element nutrition by both beneficial microbes in response to V. dahliae was cultivar dependent. In Momotaro, R. intraradices and P. pinophilum increased SlSOD2, SlSOD5 and SlSOD9 gene expression, but this was not generally the case in Rodeo, where lower expression levels were observed. Cultivar-dependent modulation of root colonization, element nutrition, and SlSODs gene expression, by R. intraradices and P. pinophilum underpin their promotion of host growth and tolerance to verticillium wilt.

Polyphasic taxonomic characterization of nine Penicillium species from soil of different parts of India

Aim: Morpho-molecular analyses for taxonomic characterization of nine predominant Penicillium species present in the soil of different parts of India. Methodology: Fifteen Penicillium isolates were isolated from the soil samples collected from the experimental field of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. Another twenty-six isolates were procured from Indian Type Culture Collection (ITCC), Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi which were isolated from the soil of different parts of India. Total 41 isolates were characterized following distinct macroscopic (colony texture, colony colour exudate production; soluble pigmentation; reverse coloration and mycelial growth) and microscopic observations (type of penicillus; shape of phialides; conidial shape, size and pigmentation). Molecular characterization was done using partial β-tubulin gene sequence which is considered an excellent marker in differentiating Penicillium species. Results: The morphological data in species description perfectly matched with molecular data generated using β-tubulin gene marker and nine different species viz., P. aethiopicum, P. chrysogenum, P. crustosum, P. janthinellum, P. mononematosum, P. oxalicum, P. polonicum, P. singorense and Talaromyces pinophilus (Syn. P. pinophilum) were confirmed. Interpretation: Above nine Penicillium species are found predominantly in the soil collected from different parts of India. The β-tubulin gene can be considered as an excellent marker to differentiate Penicillium species as confirmed from this study. The combined morpho- molecular analyses can be further utilized to delineate morphologically similar Penicillium species and also helpful to establish new species of Penicillium.