Purpose of Review Gremmeniella abietina is a destructive forest pathogen responsible for Sclerode... more Purpose of Review Gremmeniella abietina is a destructive forest pathogen responsible for Scleroderris canker, shoot dieback, defoliation, and tree death in forests and tree nurseries. This review is aimed at providing a complete description of the fungus, its distribution, the conditions for its spread, and the impact of climate change and at summarising the relevant forest management methods. Due to the worldwide importance of the pathogen, a retrospective review is required to summarise the lessons learned in relation to the disease, considering application to future outbreaks. Recent Findings We revise available management methods, considering examples of control strategies, with special focus on the silvicultural approaches, and we also revise the recovery of the affected stands and the associated trade-offs. Forest disturbances such as pests and disease outbreaks are expected to be exacerbated by climate change, although the exact impact on all host-pathogen interactions remain...
Ectomycorrhizal fungi are considered to play an essential role in the development of forest ecosy... more Ectomycorrhizal fungi are considered to play an essential role in the development of forest ecosystems and can protect plant against pathogenic infections. Among other factors, soil pH may affect the successful inoculation of forest seedlings in nurseries. The effect of pH on the growth rate of strains of nine species of edible ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi was evaluated in vitro. In the experiments, Boletus edulis, B. aereus, B. pinophilus, B. fragrans, Amanita rubescens, Xerocomus ferrugineus, Lactarius deliciosus, Lactarius sanguifluus and Suillus luteus were grown in Petri dishes containing modified Melin Norkrans medium and adjusted at seven different pH levels. Colony area was measured at 7-day intervals for 8 weeks. Final fungal biomass and residual pH of the medium at 8th week were also measured. The optimum pH levels and pH tolerance ranges for the tested ECM fungal species are presented and discussed in the text. The results showed that the greatest growth in vitro was produ...
Endophytic fungi have been demonstrated to produce bioactive secondary metabolites, some of which... more Endophytic fungi have been demonstrated to produce bioactive secondary metabolites, some of which promote plant growth. Three endophytic fungi isolated from healthy plants living in dehesas of Extremadura (Spain) were identified and evaluated for their ability to produce phytohormone-like substances, antioxidant activity, total polyphenol content, phosphate solubilization ability and siderophore and ammonia production. The filtrates and extracts produced by the three endophytes were applied to Lolium multiflorum seeds and seedlings under both in vitro and greenhouse conditions, to analyse their influence on plant growth traits such as germination, vigour index, chlorophyll data, number and length of leaves and roots, and dry weight. All three endophytes, which were identified as Fusarium avenaceum, Sarocladium terricola and Xylariaceae sp., increased the germination of L. multiflorum seeds by more than 70%. Shoot and root length, plant dry weight and the number of roots were positiv...
Endophytic fungi have been found to produce a wide range of extracellular enzymes, which are incr... more Endophytic fungi have been found to produce a wide range of extracellular enzymes, which are increasingly in demand for their industrial applications. Different by-products from the agrifood industry could be used as fungal growth substrates for the massive production of these enzymes, specifically as a way to revalorize them. However, such by-products often present unfavorable conditions for the microorganism’s growth, such as high salt concentrations. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of eleven endophytic fungi—which were isolated from plants growing in a harsh environment, specifically, from the Spanish dehesas—for the purposes of the in vitro production of six enzymes (i.e., amylase, lipase, protease, cellulase, pectinase and laccase) under both standard and salt-amended conditions. Under standard conditions, the studied endophytes produced between two and four of the six enzymes evaluated. In most of the producer fungal species, this en...
Productivity of natural pastures in Iberian dehesas is usually low and very variable (on average ... more Productivity of natural pastures in Iberian dehesas is usually low and very variable (on average 1440 kg dry matter (DM) ha/yr). They also provide low nutritive value forage, containing 4-20% legume fraction, 9-12% crude protein, 44-59% neutral detergent fibre and 28-37% acid detergent fibre. In order to improve the productivity and quality of herbage biomass, and to supplement the natural pasture during shortage periods, farmers have traditionally implemented two practices: the sowing of well-adapted productive pasture species, and/or the sowing of forage crops. In dehesa ecosystems, those fodder crops often play a fundamental role in livestock feeding as a complement to natural pastures, both in productivity and in quality. Triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye, is now becoming a popular fodder crop on Mediterranean livestock farms.
Tradução de leaflet do projeto AGFORWARD - A produtividade das pastagens naturais dos montados é ... more Tradução de leaflet do projeto AGFORWARD - A produtividade das pastagens naturais dos montados é frequentemente baixa e variável (em média 1440 Kg de matéria seca [MS]/ha/ano), tal como o seu valor nutritivo: 4-20% de leguminosas, 9-12% de proteína bruta, 44-59% de fibra em detergente neutro e 28-37% de fibra em detergente ácido. Para melhorar a produtividade e qualidade da biomassa herbácea e como suplemento em períodos de carência, os agricultores implementam tradicionalmente duas práticas: sementeira de espécies forrageiras produtivas bem adaptadas, e/ou instalação de culturas forrageiras. Nos montados, estas culturas desempenham um papel fundamental como complemento – em produção e qualidade – da pastagem natural. O triticale, um híbrido de trigo e centeio, tem vindo a tornar-se uma cultura forrageira popular entre criadores de gado mediterrâneos.
Tra le colture foraggere, la coltivazione di triticale, un cereale ad alta produttività in condiz... more Tra le colture foraggere, la coltivazione di triticale, un cereale ad alta produttività in condizioni climatiche mediterranee, è sempre più riconosciuta dagli agricoltori come alternativa ad altre colture. - Among forage crops, the cultivation of triticale, a high-productive cereal under Mediterranean conditions, in increasingly recognised by farmers as a potential alternative.
There is a lack of information regarding the arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) concentrations in Spa... more There is a lack of information regarding the arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) concentrations in Spanish rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields and how soil conditions affect such concentration, especially those derived from the typical monoculture practiced in the studied area. To clarify these aspects, 76 soil samples and 95 grain samples were collected from 19 rice fields along the Vegas Altas area, the most important rice growing area of south-west of Spain. The results suggested a significant increase in the soil total As and Se concentrations as the number of monoculture years increased. While As concentration reached toxic levels in 12 out of the 19 locations, Se concentration in all the analysed fields could be considered as deficient. An increase of the As and Se concentration in soil produced a subsequent increase of the concentration of both elements in the rice grain. Therefore, it might be extremely important to control both levels. It would be necessary to establish different acti...
Fungal endophytes have been found to protect their hosts against multiple fungal pathogens. Frequ... more Fungal endophytes have been found to protect their hosts against multiple fungal pathogens. Frequently, the secondary metabolites produced by the endophyte are responsible for antifungal activity. To develop new bio-products that are more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides against Phytophthora cinnamomi, a serious pathogen of many plant species, the antifungal activity of filtrates or extracts from four endophytes was evaluated in different in vitro tests and in plants of Lupinus luteus. In the dual culture assays, the filtrate of one of the endophytes (Drechslera biseptata) completely inhibited the mycelial growth of the pathogen. Moreover, it showed a very low minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Epicoccum nigrum, an endophyte that also showed high inhibitory activity and a low MIC against P. cinnamomi in those two experiments, provided a clear growth promotion effect when the extracts were applied to L. luteus seedlings. The extract of Fusarium avenaceum also m...
Millions of people worldwide have an inadequate intake of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn), and agrono... more Millions of people worldwide have an inadequate intake of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn), and agronomic biofortification may minimise these problems. To evaluate the efficacy of combined foliar Se and Zn fertilisation in bread making wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a two-year field experiment was established in southern Spain under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions, by following a split-split-plot design. The study year (2017/2018, 2018/2019) was considered as the main-plot factor, soil Zn application (50 kg Zn ha−1, nor Zn) as a subplot factor and foliar application (nor Se, 10 g Se ha−1, 8 kg Zn ha−1, 10 g Se ha−1 + 8 kg Zn ha−1) as a sub-subplot factor. The best treatment to increase both Zn and Se concentration in both straw, 12.3- and 2.7-fold respectively, and grain, 1.3- and 4.3-fold respectively, was the combined foliar application of Zn and Se. This combined Zn and Se application also increased on average the yield of grain, main product of this crop, by almost 7%. Therefore, b...
Many fungi, especially endophytes, have been found to produce multiple benefits in their plant ho... more Many fungi, especially endophytes, have been found to produce multiple benefits in their plant hosts, with many of these benefits associated with the protection of plants against fungal diseases. This fact could be used in the development of new bio-products that could gradually reduce the need for chemical fungicides, which have been associated with multiple health and environmental problems. However, the utilization of the living organism may present several issues, such as an inconsistency in the results obtained and more complicated management and application, as fungal species are highly influenced by environmental conditions, the type of relationship with the plant host and interaction with other microorganisms. These issues could be addressed by using the bioactive compounds produced by the fungus, in cases where they were responsible for positive effects, instead of the living organism. Multiple bioactive compounds produced by fungal species, especially endophytes, with anti...
Millions of people have inadequate Se and Zn intakes, but agronomic biofortification could preven... more Millions of people have inadequate Se and Zn intakes, but agronomic biofortification could prevent this. This study evaluated the effect of the combined Zn and Se biofortification on the quality parameters of grain, and on the composition of minerals (Zn, Se, Mg, Ca and Fe) and their availability in bread-making wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) products, white flour, wholemeal bread and white bread were evaluated. The studied treatments were soil Zn (no Zn, and 50 kg Zn ha−1) and foliar applications (0, 10 g Se ha−1, 8 kg Zn ha−1, and 10 g Se ha−1 + 8 kg Zn ha−1) and were tested in a two-year field experiment (2017–2018, 2018–2019). The foliar combined biofortification increased the concentration of both minerals in white flour, wholemeal bread and white bread by about 33%, 24% and 51%, respectively for Zn, and 3.3-fold, 3.4-fold and 2.7-fold for Se, showing a synergistic effect on Se concentration with the Se and Zn combination. While the loss of Zn and Se during the milling process wa...
Agronomic biofortification can be used to alleviate the deficient intake of selenium (Se) and zin... more Agronomic biofortification can be used to alleviate the deficient intake of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) by livestock. These two essential micronutrients for human and animals play an important role in many physiological functions and biological processes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of forage peas, crop with an increasing importance as plant protein source, to be biofortified with a combined treatment of Zn (as ZnSO4-7H2O) and Se (as Na2SeO4). A 2-year field experiment was established in southern Spain under semiarid Mediterranean conditions, by following a split-split-plot design. The study year (2017/2018, 2018/2019) was considered the main-plot factor, soil Zn application (50 kg Zn ha−1, nil Zn) as a subplot factor, and foliar application (nil, 10 g Se ha−1, 8 kg Zn ha−1, 10 g Se ha−1 + 8 kg Zn ha−1) as a sub-subplot factor. The combined application of 50-kg soil Zn ha−1 and the foliar application of 10 g Se ha−1 + 8 kg Zn ha−1 was the most effective treatment to increase the concentration in forage of Zn and Se, 4-fold and 5-fold, respectively, as well as the Zn bioavailability, forage yield (close to 30%), and crude protein (~ 8%). Thus, forage peas could be considered a very suitable crop to be included in biofortification programs under Mediterranean conditions with Zn and Se as target minerals.
ABSTRACT Background Ornithopus compressus is an important pasture legume of Mediterranean origin ... more ABSTRACT Background Ornithopus compressus is an important pasture legume of Mediterranean origin that is frequently used for sown pastures under dryland conditions. Aims To determine the composition and genetic variability of fungal endophytes associated with this pasture species and analyse the effects of environmental variables and tissue type on fungal diversity, frequency and distribution. Methods Leaves and stems of 100 healthy plants were collected from 10 sites in Extremadura (southwestern Spain) and culturable endophytes were isolated from them and characterised based on their morphology and internal transcribed spacer sequencing. Results A total of 56 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained. Local environmental conditions and plant tissue type had a strong influence on the fungal endophytic assemblage. Most of the endophytic OTUs had a local distribution and exhibited clear organ specificity: > 50% were recovered from a single tissue, either leaves (23%) or stems (30%). Soil Ca and K and precipitation had the most favourable effects on the endophytic assemblage, whereas soil conductivity had a negative effect. Conclusions The results provide a reliable framework for further research on endophytes and their eventual application in the agronomic improvement of this pasture species.
Yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus), a valuable pasture species in Mediterranean areas, pre... more Yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus), a valuable pasture species in Mediterranean areas, presents a high diversity of endophytic mycoflora. In the present work, the hypothesis of a significant effect of fungal endophytic species on the parameters of forage production, nutritive value and mineral status of herbage was tested. O. compressus plants were inoculated with each of seven endophytes (four in 2012/2013 and three in 2013/2014). After inoculation, two experiments (under greenhouse and field conditions) were established. Results evidenced a certain influence of several endophytes on herbage yield, nutritive value and mineral status of O. compressus forage. Byssochlamys spectabilis increased herbage biomass yield by around 42% in the field experiment. Stemphylium sp. improved the nutritive value of forage either by increasing crude protein, digestibility and the concentration of essential minerals (such as B, Mo, P or S) or by reducing the concentration of toxic elements suc...
south of Palencia, north-west Spain inlate 1999. The symptoms of the disease included drying upof... more south of Palencia, north-west Spain inlate 1999. The symptoms of the disease included drying upof needles and branches with some distortion of terminaltwigs, resulting in dieback and death of trees. Affectedtrees occurred in five out of a total of 43 stands that wereexamined. Around three to four dead trees were found inthree of these five stands.Twig and shoot samples from diseased trees weresurface sterilized and placed on potato dextrose agar at15 ° C. The conidial state,
Purpose of Review Gremmeniella abietina is a destructive forest pathogen responsible for Sclerode... more Purpose of Review Gremmeniella abietina is a destructive forest pathogen responsible for Scleroderris canker, shoot dieback, defoliation, and tree death in forests and tree nurseries. This review is aimed at providing a complete description of the fungus, its distribution, the conditions for its spread, and the impact of climate change and at summarising the relevant forest management methods. Due to the worldwide importance of the pathogen, a retrospective review is required to summarise the lessons learned in relation to the disease, considering application to future outbreaks. Recent Findings We revise available management methods, considering examples of control strategies, with special focus on the silvicultural approaches, and we also revise the recovery of the affected stands and the associated trade-offs. Forest disturbances such as pests and disease outbreaks are expected to be exacerbated by climate change, although the exact impact on all host-pathogen interactions remain...
Ectomycorrhizal fungi are considered to play an essential role in the development of forest ecosy... more Ectomycorrhizal fungi are considered to play an essential role in the development of forest ecosystems and can protect plant against pathogenic infections. Among other factors, soil pH may affect the successful inoculation of forest seedlings in nurseries. The effect of pH on the growth rate of strains of nine species of edible ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi was evaluated in vitro. In the experiments, Boletus edulis, B. aereus, B. pinophilus, B. fragrans, Amanita rubescens, Xerocomus ferrugineus, Lactarius deliciosus, Lactarius sanguifluus and Suillus luteus were grown in Petri dishes containing modified Melin Norkrans medium and adjusted at seven different pH levels. Colony area was measured at 7-day intervals for 8 weeks. Final fungal biomass and residual pH of the medium at 8th week were also measured. The optimum pH levels and pH tolerance ranges for the tested ECM fungal species are presented and discussed in the text. The results showed that the greatest growth in vitro was produ...
Endophytic fungi have been demonstrated to produce bioactive secondary metabolites, some of which... more Endophytic fungi have been demonstrated to produce bioactive secondary metabolites, some of which promote plant growth. Three endophytic fungi isolated from healthy plants living in dehesas of Extremadura (Spain) were identified and evaluated for their ability to produce phytohormone-like substances, antioxidant activity, total polyphenol content, phosphate solubilization ability and siderophore and ammonia production. The filtrates and extracts produced by the three endophytes were applied to Lolium multiflorum seeds and seedlings under both in vitro and greenhouse conditions, to analyse their influence on plant growth traits such as germination, vigour index, chlorophyll data, number and length of leaves and roots, and dry weight. All three endophytes, which were identified as Fusarium avenaceum, Sarocladium terricola and Xylariaceae sp., increased the germination of L. multiflorum seeds by more than 70%. Shoot and root length, plant dry weight and the number of roots were positiv...
Endophytic fungi have been found to produce a wide range of extracellular enzymes, which are incr... more Endophytic fungi have been found to produce a wide range of extracellular enzymes, which are increasingly in demand for their industrial applications. Different by-products from the agrifood industry could be used as fungal growth substrates for the massive production of these enzymes, specifically as a way to revalorize them. However, such by-products often present unfavorable conditions for the microorganism’s growth, such as high salt concentrations. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of eleven endophytic fungi—which were isolated from plants growing in a harsh environment, specifically, from the Spanish dehesas—for the purposes of the in vitro production of six enzymes (i.e., amylase, lipase, protease, cellulase, pectinase and laccase) under both standard and salt-amended conditions. Under standard conditions, the studied endophytes produced between two and four of the six enzymes evaluated. In most of the producer fungal species, this en...
Productivity of natural pastures in Iberian dehesas is usually low and very variable (on average ... more Productivity of natural pastures in Iberian dehesas is usually low and very variable (on average 1440 kg dry matter (DM) ha/yr). They also provide low nutritive value forage, containing 4-20% legume fraction, 9-12% crude protein, 44-59% neutral detergent fibre and 28-37% acid detergent fibre. In order to improve the productivity and quality of herbage biomass, and to supplement the natural pasture during shortage periods, farmers have traditionally implemented two practices: the sowing of well-adapted productive pasture species, and/or the sowing of forage crops. In dehesa ecosystems, those fodder crops often play a fundamental role in livestock feeding as a complement to natural pastures, both in productivity and in quality. Triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye, is now becoming a popular fodder crop on Mediterranean livestock farms.
Tradução de leaflet do projeto AGFORWARD - A produtividade das pastagens naturais dos montados é ... more Tradução de leaflet do projeto AGFORWARD - A produtividade das pastagens naturais dos montados é frequentemente baixa e variável (em média 1440 Kg de matéria seca [MS]/ha/ano), tal como o seu valor nutritivo: 4-20% de leguminosas, 9-12% de proteína bruta, 44-59% de fibra em detergente neutro e 28-37% de fibra em detergente ácido. Para melhorar a produtividade e qualidade da biomassa herbácea e como suplemento em períodos de carência, os agricultores implementam tradicionalmente duas práticas: sementeira de espécies forrageiras produtivas bem adaptadas, e/ou instalação de culturas forrageiras. Nos montados, estas culturas desempenham um papel fundamental como complemento – em produção e qualidade – da pastagem natural. O triticale, um híbrido de trigo e centeio, tem vindo a tornar-se uma cultura forrageira popular entre criadores de gado mediterrâneos.
Tra le colture foraggere, la coltivazione di triticale, un cereale ad alta produttività in condiz... more Tra le colture foraggere, la coltivazione di triticale, un cereale ad alta produttività in condizioni climatiche mediterranee, è sempre più riconosciuta dagli agricoltori come alternativa ad altre colture. - Among forage crops, the cultivation of triticale, a high-productive cereal under Mediterranean conditions, in increasingly recognised by farmers as a potential alternative.
There is a lack of information regarding the arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) concentrations in Spa... more There is a lack of information regarding the arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) concentrations in Spanish rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields and how soil conditions affect such concentration, especially those derived from the typical monoculture practiced in the studied area. To clarify these aspects, 76 soil samples and 95 grain samples were collected from 19 rice fields along the Vegas Altas area, the most important rice growing area of south-west of Spain. The results suggested a significant increase in the soil total As and Se concentrations as the number of monoculture years increased. While As concentration reached toxic levels in 12 out of the 19 locations, Se concentration in all the analysed fields could be considered as deficient. An increase of the As and Se concentration in soil produced a subsequent increase of the concentration of both elements in the rice grain. Therefore, it might be extremely important to control both levels. It would be necessary to establish different acti...
Fungal endophytes have been found to protect their hosts against multiple fungal pathogens. Frequ... more Fungal endophytes have been found to protect their hosts against multiple fungal pathogens. Frequently, the secondary metabolites produced by the endophyte are responsible for antifungal activity. To develop new bio-products that are more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides against Phytophthora cinnamomi, a serious pathogen of many plant species, the antifungal activity of filtrates or extracts from four endophytes was evaluated in different in vitro tests and in plants of Lupinus luteus. In the dual culture assays, the filtrate of one of the endophytes (Drechslera biseptata) completely inhibited the mycelial growth of the pathogen. Moreover, it showed a very low minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Epicoccum nigrum, an endophyte that also showed high inhibitory activity and a low MIC against P. cinnamomi in those two experiments, provided a clear growth promotion effect when the extracts were applied to L. luteus seedlings. The extract of Fusarium avenaceum also m...
Millions of people worldwide have an inadequate intake of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn), and agrono... more Millions of people worldwide have an inadequate intake of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn), and agronomic biofortification may minimise these problems. To evaluate the efficacy of combined foliar Se and Zn fertilisation in bread making wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a two-year field experiment was established in southern Spain under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions, by following a split-split-plot design. The study year (2017/2018, 2018/2019) was considered as the main-plot factor, soil Zn application (50 kg Zn ha−1, nor Zn) as a subplot factor and foliar application (nor Se, 10 g Se ha−1, 8 kg Zn ha−1, 10 g Se ha−1 + 8 kg Zn ha−1) as a sub-subplot factor. The best treatment to increase both Zn and Se concentration in both straw, 12.3- and 2.7-fold respectively, and grain, 1.3- and 4.3-fold respectively, was the combined foliar application of Zn and Se. This combined Zn and Se application also increased on average the yield of grain, main product of this crop, by almost 7%. Therefore, b...
Many fungi, especially endophytes, have been found to produce multiple benefits in their plant ho... more Many fungi, especially endophytes, have been found to produce multiple benefits in their plant hosts, with many of these benefits associated with the protection of plants against fungal diseases. This fact could be used in the development of new bio-products that could gradually reduce the need for chemical fungicides, which have been associated with multiple health and environmental problems. However, the utilization of the living organism may present several issues, such as an inconsistency in the results obtained and more complicated management and application, as fungal species are highly influenced by environmental conditions, the type of relationship with the plant host and interaction with other microorganisms. These issues could be addressed by using the bioactive compounds produced by the fungus, in cases where they were responsible for positive effects, instead of the living organism. Multiple bioactive compounds produced by fungal species, especially endophytes, with anti...
Millions of people have inadequate Se and Zn intakes, but agronomic biofortification could preven... more Millions of people have inadequate Se and Zn intakes, but agronomic biofortification could prevent this. This study evaluated the effect of the combined Zn and Se biofortification on the quality parameters of grain, and on the composition of minerals (Zn, Se, Mg, Ca and Fe) and their availability in bread-making wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) products, white flour, wholemeal bread and white bread were evaluated. The studied treatments were soil Zn (no Zn, and 50 kg Zn ha−1) and foliar applications (0, 10 g Se ha−1, 8 kg Zn ha−1, and 10 g Se ha−1 + 8 kg Zn ha−1) and were tested in a two-year field experiment (2017–2018, 2018–2019). The foliar combined biofortification increased the concentration of both minerals in white flour, wholemeal bread and white bread by about 33%, 24% and 51%, respectively for Zn, and 3.3-fold, 3.4-fold and 2.7-fold for Se, showing a synergistic effect on Se concentration with the Se and Zn combination. While the loss of Zn and Se during the milling process wa...
Agronomic biofortification can be used to alleviate the deficient intake of selenium (Se) and zin... more Agronomic biofortification can be used to alleviate the deficient intake of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) by livestock. These two essential micronutrients for human and animals play an important role in many physiological functions and biological processes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of forage peas, crop with an increasing importance as plant protein source, to be biofortified with a combined treatment of Zn (as ZnSO4-7H2O) and Se (as Na2SeO4). A 2-year field experiment was established in southern Spain under semiarid Mediterranean conditions, by following a split-split-plot design. The study year (2017/2018, 2018/2019) was considered the main-plot factor, soil Zn application (50 kg Zn ha−1, nil Zn) as a subplot factor, and foliar application (nil, 10 g Se ha−1, 8 kg Zn ha−1, 10 g Se ha−1 + 8 kg Zn ha−1) as a sub-subplot factor. The combined application of 50-kg soil Zn ha−1 and the foliar application of 10 g Se ha−1 + 8 kg Zn ha−1 was the most effective treatment to increase the concentration in forage of Zn and Se, 4-fold and 5-fold, respectively, as well as the Zn bioavailability, forage yield (close to 30%), and crude protein (~ 8%). Thus, forage peas could be considered a very suitable crop to be included in biofortification programs under Mediterranean conditions with Zn and Se as target minerals.
ABSTRACT Background Ornithopus compressus is an important pasture legume of Mediterranean origin ... more ABSTRACT Background Ornithopus compressus is an important pasture legume of Mediterranean origin that is frequently used for sown pastures under dryland conditions. Aims To determine the composition and genetic variability of fungal endophytes associated with this pasture species and analyse the effects of environmental variables and tissue type on fungal diversity, frequency and distribution. Methods Leaves and stems of 100 healthy plants were collected from 10 sites in Extremadura (southwestern Spain) and culturable endophytes were isolated from them and characterised based on their morphology and internal transcribed spacer sequencing. Results A total of 56 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained. Local environmental conditions and plant tissue type had a strong influence on the fungal endophytic assemblage. Most of the endophytic OTUs had a local distribution and exhibited clear organ specificity: > 50% were recovered from a single tissue, either leaves (23%) or stems (30%). Soil Ca and K and precipitation had the most favourable effects on the endophytic assemblage, whereas soil conductivity had a negative effect. Conclusions The results provide a reliable framework for further research on endophytes and their eventual application in the agronomic improvement of this pasture species.
Yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus), a valuable pasture species in Mediterranean areas, pre... more Yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus), a valuable pasture species in Mediterranean areas, presents a high diversity of endophytic mycoflora. In the present work, the hypothesis of a significant effect of fungal endophytic species on the parameters of forage production, nutritive value and mineral status of herbage was tested. O. compressus plants were inoculated with each of seven endophytes (four in 2012/2013 and three in 2013/2014). After inoculation, two experiments (under greenhouse and field conditions) were established. Results evidenced a certain influence of several endophytes on herbage yield, nutritive value and mineral status of O. compressus forage. Byssochlamys spectabilis increased herbage biomass yield by around 42% in the field experiment. Stemphylium sp. improved the nutritive value of forage either by increasing crude protein, digestibility and the concentration of essential minerals (such as B, Mo, P or S) or by reducing the concentration of toxic elements suc...
south of Palencia, north-west Spain inlate 1999. The symptoms of the disease included drying upof... more south of Palencia, north-west Spain inlate 1999. The symptoms of the disease included drying upof needles and branches with some distortion of terminaltwigs, resulting in dieback and death of trees. Affectedtrees occurred in five out of a total of 43 stands that wereexamined. Around three to four dead trees were found inthree of these five stands.Twig and shoot samples from diseased trees weresurface sterilized and placed on potato dextrose agar at15 ° C. The conidial state,
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