scholarly journals Asexual Epichloë Fungi—Obligate Mutualists

Encyclopedia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 1084-1100
Author(s):  
John R. Caradus ◽  
Stuart D. Card ◽  
Katrin G. Hewitt ◽  
David E. Hume ◽  
Linda J. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Resistance To Phytopathogens ◽  
Invertebrate Pests ◽  
Invertebrate Herbivores ◽  
Grazing Livestock ◽  
Adaptation To Drought

Asexual Epichloë are obligate fungal mutualists that form symbiosis with many temperate grass species, providing several advantages to the host. These advantages include protection against vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores (i.e., grazing livestock and invertebrate pests, respectively), improved resistance to phytopathogens, increased adaptation to drought stress, nutrient deficiency, and heavy metal-containing soils. Selected Epichloë strains are utilised in agriculture mainly for their pest resistance traits, which are moderated via the production of Epichloë-derived secondary metabolites. For pastoral agriculture, the use of these endophyte infected grasses requires the balancing of protection against insect pests with reduced impacts on animal health and welfare.

scholarly journals Heavy-Metal Phytoremediation from Livestock Wastewater and Exploitation of Exhausted Biomass

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2239
Author(s):  
Monika Hejna ◽  
Elisabetta Onelli ◽  
Alessandra Moscatelli ◽  
Maurizio Bellotto ◽  
Cinzia Cristiani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Anaerobic Fermentation ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Livestock Wastewater

Sustainable agriculture is aimed at long-term crop and livestock production with a minimal impact on the environment. However, agricultural practices from animal production can contribute to global pollution due to heavy metals from the feed additives that are used to ensure the nutritional requirements and also promote animal health and optimize production. The bioavailability of essential mineral sources is limited; thus, the metals are widely found in the manure. Via the manure, metallic ions can contaminate livestock wastewater, drastically reducing its potential recycling for irrigation. Phytoremediation, which is an efficient and cost-effective cleanup technique, could be implemented to reduce the wastewater pollution from livestock production, in order to maintain the water conservation. Plants use various strategies for the absorption and translocation of heavy metals, and they have been widely used to remediate livestock wastewater. In addition, the pollutants concentrated in the plants can be exhausted and used as heat to enhance plant growth and further concentrate the metals, making recycling a possible option. The biomass of the plants can also be used for biogas production in anaerobic fermentation. Combining phytoremediation and biorefinery processes would add value to both approaches and facilitate metal recovery. This review focuses on the concept of agro-ecology, specifically the excessive use of heavy metals in animal production, the various techniques and adaptations of the heavy-metal phytoremediation from livestock wastewater, and further applications of exhausted phytoremediated biomass.

Urban Entomology Highlights From 2019 Help Create Integrated Pest Management Plans

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 1342-1348
Author(s):  
Jennifer R Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Pest Management ◽  
Pest Management ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Bed Bugs ◽  
Intervention Plan ◽  
Urban Entomology ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Management Professionals ◽  
And Control

Abstract Urban insect pests such as ants, termites, cockroaches, and bed bugs are more than just nuisances; they often negatively impact structures, landscapes, animal health, commercial food production, food safety, and public health (mental, physical, and financial). Due to the tremendous burden these insects can inflict, researchers, manufacturers, and pest management professionals work to create solutions that effectively manage urban and structural pests. One solution that has proven useful in agriculture is the development of an integrated pest management (IPM) plan; i.e., a science-based approach to pest control that utilizes multiple tactics such as preventative tools, chemical control (sprays, fumigation, and baits), biological control, and exclusion. There are many permutations of urban IPM plans, but in general they consist of five components: 1) identifying the pest, 2) monitoring the pest, 3) developing an intervention plan (including prevention and control techniques), 4) implementing the program, and 5) recording and evaluating the results. The objectives of the current publication were to 1) highlight urban entomology research published in 2019 and 2) show how the results from these publications help pest management professionals create and implement IPM plans.

scholarly journals The Lack of Knowledge on the Microbiome of Golf Turfgrasses Impedes the Development of Successful Microbial Products

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Uli Stingl ◽  
Chang Jae Choi ◽  
Braham Dhillon ◽  
Marco Schiavon
Keyword(s):  
Insect Pests ◽  
High Water ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Golf Courses ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Sustainable Products ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Microbial Products ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi

Golf courses have a significant environmental impact. High water demands and the intensive use of agricultural chemicals have been a concern for decades and are therefore in the focus of efforts to make golf courses more environmentally sustainable. Products based on modifying or using plant-associated microbiota are one of the fastest-growing sectors in agriculture, but their application on turfgrasses on golf courses is so far negligible. In this review, we summarize the limited knowledge on microbiomes of golf turf ecosystems and show that the lack of holistic studies addressing the structure and function of golf turf microbiomes, including their responses to intense turf management procedures, is currently the main bottleneck for development and improvement of reliable, well-functioning microbial products. We further highlight the endosphere of turfgrasses, which is easily accessible for microbial cultivation through constant mowing, as the most stable and protected micro-environment. Many grass species do possess endophytic bacteria and fungi that have been shown to improve the plants’ resistance towards microbial pathogens and insect pests, and several products using endophyte-enhanced grass varieties are commercially successful. We anticipated that this trend would tee-off on golf courses, too, once a more comprehensive understanding of golf turf microbiomes is available.

scholarly journals Novel Antifungal Activity of Lolium-Associated Epichloë Endophytes

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishni Fernando ◽  
Priyanka Reddy ◽  
Inoka K. Hettiarachchige ◽  
German C. Spangenberg ◽  
Simone J. Rochfort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Fungal Endophytes ◽  
Dual Culture ◽  
The Novel ◽  
In Planta ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Fusarium Sp ◽  
Invertebrate Pests

Asexual Epichloë spp. fungal endophytes have been extensively studied for their functional secondary metabolite production. Historically, research mostly focused on understanding toxicity of endophyte-derived compounds on grazing livestock. However, endophyte-derived compounds also provide protection against invertebrate pests, disease, and other environmental stresses, which is important for ensuring yield and persistence of pastures. A preliminary screen of 30 strains using an in vitro dual culture bioassay identified 18 endophyte strains with antifungal activity. The novel strains NEA12, NEA21, and NEA23 were selected for further investigation as they are also known to produce alkaloids associated with protection against insect pests. Antifungal activity of selected endophyte strains was confirmed against three grass pathogens, Ceratobasidium sp., Dreschlera sp., and Fusarium sp., using independent isolates in an in vitro bioassay. NEA21 and NEA23 showed potent activity against Ceratobasidium sp. and NEA12 showed moderate inhibition against all three pathogens. Crude extracts from liquid cultures of NEA12 and NEA23 also inhibited growth of the phytopathogens Ceratobasidium sp. and Fusarium sp. and provided evidence that the compounds of interest are stable, constitutively expressed, and secreted. Comparative analysis of the in vitro and in planta metabolome of NEA12 and NEA23 using LCMS profile data revealed individual metabolites unique to each strain that are present in vitro and in planta. These compounds are the best candidates for the differential bioactivity observed for each strain. Novel endophyte strains show promise for endophyte-mediated control of phytopathogens impacting Lolium spp. pasture production and animal welfare.

Factors influencing pasture productivity in Atlantic Canada

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 699-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. A. Papadopoulos ◽  
H. T. Kunelius ◽  
A. H. Fredeen
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Atlantic Canada ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Grazing Livestock ◽  
Pasture Productivity

Most pastures in Atlantic Canada are classified as permanent and contain primarily native species. Well-managed native swards have the potential of supporting profitable animal output. Productive cultivars of cool-season perennial grass species such as timothy (Phleum pratense L.), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) and legumes such as white clover can increase pasture productivity in the region and ameliorate seasonal fluctuations in dry matter yield associated with native swards. Improved swards gradually revert to native species, partly because forage cultivars and mixtures are not assessed for persistence under grazing.Soil acidity and deficiencies in soil nutrients were shown to reduce herbage yield, legume content of the grazed swards and mineral content of the herbage, all of which may adversely affect livestock performance. High concentrations of K, observed in swards heavily fertilized with N, are likely to cause problems in the metabolism of Ca and Mg in lactating ruminant livestock grazing such swards.Supplemental pasture crops, including annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and Brassica species, extend the productive grazing season from approximately 4 to 7 mo, and permit the production of large quantities of biomass close to the barn.Rotational grazing and forward creep-grazing techniques at high stocking rates can improve the number of animal grazing days and average daily gains. Previous experience with grazing and exposure to pasture species before and during weaning appear to influence grazing behavior and species preference of newly weaned livestock. The use of previous grazing experience may help create the desired pasture sward or improve the efficiency of sward utilization by the grazing animal. The high rainfall climate of the Atlantic region, which promotes good herbage production, also encourages heavy and prolonged infestations of infective free-living stages of gastrointestinal parasites on pastures. Permanent pasture is the main source of initial herd infection, which then spreads to newly seeded pastures. Strategic treatments of grazing livestock with anthelmintic drugs are recommended to minimize the impact of these parasites on the productivity of grazing livestock in this region. Key words: Pasture, Atlantic Canada, productivity, grazing management, fertility management, Brassica spp., grasses, legumes

Host plant resistance in grain crops and prospects for invertebrate pest management in Australia: an overview

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 1543 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Gu ◽  
O. R. Edwards ◽  
A. T. Hardy ◽  
G. P. Fitt
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Plants ◽  
Pest Management ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Plant Resistance ◽  
Host Plant Resistance ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Grain Crops ◽  
Complementary Role ◽  
Invertebrate Pests

An integrated pest management (IPM) approach that relies on an array of tactics is adopted commonly in response to problems with pesticide-based production in many agricultural systems. Host plant resistance is often used as a fundamental component of an IPM system because of the generally compatible, complementary role that pest-resistant crops play with other tactics. Recent research and development in the resistance of legumes and cereals to aphids, sorghum midge resistance, and the resistance of canola varieties to mite and insect pests have shown the prospects of host plant resistance for developing IPM strategies against invertebrate pests in Australian grain crops. Furthermore, continuing advances in biotechnology provide the opportunity of using transgenic plants to enhance host plant resistance in grains.

scholarly journals Assessment of heavy metals in the surrounding soils and their bioconcentrations in few plants near Kathajodi river, Odisha, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 790-803
Author(s):  
S. R. Barik ◽  
P. J. Mishra ◽  
A. K. Nayak ◽  
S. Rout
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Heavy Metal Concentration ◽  
Plant Part ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Domestic Waste ◽  
Cd Uptake ◽  
River Bank ◽  
Soil Cd

The present study was carried out mainly concentrate on assessment of heavy metal in the surrounding soils and their bioconcentration in the different plants near Kathajodi River. Soil and plant samples were collected along the Kathajodi river, Odisha, India. It was found that the dominance of heavy metals follows a decreasing order. The metal concentrations measured in soil at all location generally decreased in the order; Fe > Mn > Ni> Pb> Cu> Zn> Cd. Highest heavy metal concentration in river bank soil Cd (0.72±0.05 mgkg-1); Ni (3.85±0.15 mgkg-1); Cu (1.66±0.15 mgkg-1); Zn (1.54±0.16 mgkg-1); Pb (4.11±0.14 mgkg-1); Fe (142.0±1.16 mgkg-1); Mn (37.30±1.16 mgkg-1) at different site . Among all the grass species I. laxum has the higher affinity for the accumulation of Cd (0.85±0.05) followed by Zn, Pb and Cu. This study indicates that bio concentration of heavy metals in the study area show preferential Cd uptake in the plants followed by Zn, Pb and it may lead to accumulates in the exposed plant part posing risk along the food chain. This calls for immediate action to be implemented to carry out necessary environment mitigation measures for the river as it can be attributed the discharge of untreated domestic waste and effluents in the river.

Probiotic bacteria as potential detoxification tools: assessing their heavy metal binding isotherms

2006 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 877-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fandi Ibrahim ◽  
Teemu Halttunen ◽  
Raija Tahvonen ◽  
Seppo Salminen
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Metal Binding ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
Probiotic Bacteria ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Binding Isotherms ◽  
Cadmium And Lead

Dietary exposure to heavy metals may have detrimental effects on human and animal health, even at low concentrations. Specific probiotic bacteria may have properties that enable them to bind toxins from food and water. We assessed the interaction of probiotic bacteria with cadmium and lead in vitro as an initial screening step to identify strains for heavy metal decontamination in food and intestinal models. Binding isotherms for cadmium and lead were characterized for Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC-705, Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii JS and a mix of them used by the food industry. Differences among the strains and their combinations in binding performance at a range of concentrations between 0.1 and 100 mg·L–1 were evaluated with the Langmuir model for biosorption. The effects of pH, contact time, and viability on the binding capacities were also investigated. All strains and their combinations were found to bind cadmium and lead efficiently at low concentration ranges commonly observed in foods. However, the two strains and their combinations differed significantly in their maximum binding capacities and affinities represented by the Langmuir constants Qmax and b, respectively. The binding seemed to occur instantaneously and in a pH-dependent manner, which can be perfectly described by a segmented linear–plateau model.Key words: probiotics, cadmium, lead, binding, Langmuir.

scholarly journals The Lack of Knowledge on the Microbiome of Golf Turfgrasses Impedes the Development of Successful Microbial Products

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uli Stingl ◽  
Chang Jae Choi ◽  
Braham Dhillon ◽  
Marco Schiavon
Keyword(s):  
Insect Pests ◽  
High Water ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Golf Courses ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Sustainable Products ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Microbial Products ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi

Golf courses have a significant environmental impact. High water demands and the intensive use of agricultural chemicals have been a concern for decades and are therefore in the focus of efforts to make golf courses more environmentally sustainable. Products based on modifying or using plant-associated microbiota are one of the fastest growing sectors in agriculture, but their application on turfgrasses on golf courses is so far negligible. In this review, we summarize the limited knowledge on microbiomes of golf turf ecosystems and show that the lack of holistic studies addressing structure and function of golf turf microbiomes, including their responses to intense turf management procedures, is currently the main bottleneck for development and improvement of reliable, well-functioning microbial products. We further highlight the endosphere of turfgrasses, which is easily accessible for microbial cultivation through constant mowing, as the most stable and protected micro-environment. Many grass species do possess endophytic bacteria and fungi that have shown to improve the plants’ resistance towards microbial pathogens and insect pests, and several products using endophyte-enhanced grass varieties are commercially successful. We anticipated that this trend would tee-off on golf courses, too, once a more comprehensive understanding of golf turf microbiomes is available.

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