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Soil mycobiome in sustainable agriculture
The soil microbiome contributes to several ecosystem processes. It plays a key role in sustainable agriculture, horticulture and forestry. In contrast to the vast number of studies focusing on soil bacteria, the amount of research concerning soil fungal communities is limited. This is despite the fact that fungi play a crucial role in the cycling of matter and energy on Earth. Fungi constitute a significant part of the pathobiome of plants. Moreover, many of them are indispensable to plant health. This group includes mycorrhizal fungi, superparasites of pathogens, and generalists; they stabilize the soil mycobiome and play a key role in biogeochemical cycles. Several fungal species also contribute to soil bioremediation through their uptake of high amounts of contaminants from the environment. Moreover, fungal mycelia stretch below the ground like blood vessels in the human body, transferring water and nutrients to and from various plants. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing combined with bioinformatic tools have facilitated detailed studies of the soil mycobiome. This review discusses the beneficial effects of soil mycobiomes and their interactions with other microbes and hosts in both healthy and unhealthy ecosystems. It may be argued that studying the soil mycobiome in such a fashion is an essential step in promoting sustainable and regenerative agriculture.
Potential European Geographical Distribution of Gnathotrichus materiarius (Fitch, 1858) (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) under Current and Future Climate Conditions
Gnathotrichus materiarius (Fitch, 1858) is an alien ambrosia beetle from North America, that has been spreading across Europe since the 1930s. The species infests coniferous trees, excavating galleries in sapwood. However, to date very few studies have predicted changes in ambrosia beetle habitat suitability under changing climate conditions. To fill that gap in the current knowledge, we used the MaxEnt algorithm to estimate areas potentially suitable for this species in Europe, both under current climate conditions and those forecasted for the years 2050 and 2070. Our analyses showed areas where the species has not been reported, though the climatic conditions are suitable. Models for the forecasted conditions predicted an increase in suitable habitats. Due to the wide range of host trees, the species is likely to spread through the Balkans, the Black Sea and Caucasus region, Baltic countries, the Scandinavian Peninsula, and Ukraine. As a technical pest of coniferous sapwood, it can cause financial losses due to deterioration in quality of timber harvested in such regions. Our results will be helpful for the development of a climate-change-integrated management strategy to mitigate potential adverse effects.
European forests are under increasing pressure from global change-driven invasions and accelerating epidemics by insects and diseases
How cryptic animal vectors of fungi can influence forest health in a changing climate and how to anticipate them
Abstract Fungal spores are usually dispersed by wind, water, and animal vectors. Climate change is accelerating the spread of pathogens to new regions. While well-studied vectors like bark beetles and moths contribute to pathogen transmission, other, less-recognized animal species play a crucial role at different scales. Small-scale dispersers, such as mites, rodents, squirrels, and woodpeckers, facilitate fungal spread within trees or entire forest regions. On a larger scale, birds contribute significantly to long-distance fungal dispersal, potentially aiding the establishment of invasive species across continents. These vectors remain underexplored and are often overlooked in fungal disease studies and are therefore called cryptic vectors. Understanding the full range of dispersal mechanisms is critical as climate change drive shifts in species distributions and increases vector activity. Expanding monitoring and detection tools to include these hidden carriers will improve our ability to track the distribution of fungal pathogens. Integrating targeted research, innovative technologies, and collaborative efforts across disciplines and borders is essential for enhancing disease management and mitigating fungal disease’s ecological and economic impacts. Key points • Cryptic animal vectors play a critical role in fungal spore dispersal across forests and continents. • Climate change accelerates fungal pathogen spread by altering species distributions, increasing vector activity, and facilitating long-distance dispersal. • Innovative monitoring tools, like eDNA sampling and predictive modelling, are essential to uncover cryptic vector contributions and mitigate fungal disease impacts.
Collaborative approaches to urban tree biosecurity: Stakeholder’s perceptions, actions and social networks
Recent invasion and eradication of two members of the Euwallacea fornicatus species complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) from tropical greenhouses in Europe
AbstractAmbrosia beetles of the Euwallacea fornicatus species complex are emerging tree pests with a broad host range including important agricultural crops. Native to Southeast Asia, these species were introduced into various countries, where they cause considerable damage to many tree species. Here we report several outbreaks of E. fornicatus s.l. in Europe. The first individuals were found in 2017 in a palm house of a botanical garden in Poznan (Poland) whereas in 2020 an outbreak was detected in a tropical greenhouse in Merano (Italy). In 2021, two additional outbreaks were detected in two greenhouses in Germany, in Erfurt and Berlin. For both cases in Germany it was possible to trace back the invasion to a distributor of exotic plants in the Netherlands where several infested plants were detected. Molecular analyses show that individuals from Poland and Italy are genetically identical but belong to a different mitochondrial clade than individuals in Germany which are identical to most individuals of two greenhouses in the Netherlands. Moreover, in the two greenhouses in the Netherlands we found beetles that belong to another haplotype of E. fornicatus and two haplotypes of E. perbrevis, a species in the E. fornicatus complex, which has not been previously intercepted in Europe. Our study provides novel insights into the invasion history of E. fornicatus and the eradication measures in Europe. Considering the potential of introduction and establishment of Euwallacea ambrosia beetles, particular attention should be paid to monitor the presence of these pests in tropical greenhouses across Europe.
Resistance Inducers for the Protection of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) Seedlings against Powdery Mildew Erysiphe alphitoides
Oak powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe alphitoides (Griffon and Maubl.; U. Braun & S. Takam.) is a common disease in European forests. One of the most susceptible species is the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.). Presently, a few methods are available to control powdery mildew, e.g., the use of fungicides (e.g., based on citric acid), antagonistic fungi or bacteria, chemical treatments (e.g., sulphur, potassium bicarbonate) or genetic resistance. In our study, we aimed to check the effects of using chitosan derivatives and novel active substances inducing the plants’ natural resistance: benzodiathiadiazole (both in neutral and salt form). 84 pedunculate oak seedlings were subjected to the experiment in three treatment variants (plus positive and negative controls). The plants were treated with active substances and inoculated with E. alphitoides. Although the powdery mildew symptoms appeared in all variants, they were manifested mainly by the mycelium in the form of small spots. The experiment indicated that the highest limitation of powdery mildew mycelium was achieved by applying N-methyl-N-methoxyamide-7-carboxybenzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole (BTHWA). The application of BTHWA reduced disease development by 88.9% when compared to the effects of the other variants.