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This volume explores the various functions and potential applications of mycorrhizas, including topics such as the dynamics of root colonization, soil carbon sequestration and the function of mycorrhizas in extreme environments. Some contributions focus on the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in various crop production processes, including soil management practices, their use as biofertilizers and in relation to medicinal plants. Other chapters elucidate the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the alleviation of plant water stress and of heavy metal toxicity, in the remediation of saline soils, in mining-site rehabilitation and in the reforestation of degraded tropical forests. In addition to their impact in ecosystems, the economic benefits of applying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are discussed. A final chapter describes recent advances in the cultivation of edible mycorrhizal mushrooms.
Natural-based substances, ‘plant biostimulants’, have been considered as environmentally friendly alternatives to agrichemicals. Biostimulants may comprise microbial inoculants, humic acids, fulvic acids, seaweed extracts, etc. These biostimulants have biopesticide and biostimulant utilities. Elucidations on direct or microbially mediated functions of biostimulants are presented in this book to illustrate fundamental principles and recent applications underlying this technology. This book has encompassed a cross-section of topics on different concepts to describe effective strategies by using these substances and/or beneficial microorganisms within sustainable agroecosystems. I sincerely hope that the information provided adequately reflects the objectives of this compilation. “One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken.” Leo Tolstoy
Fungi bio-prospects in sustainable agriculture, environment and nanotechnology is a three-volume series that has been designed to explore the huge potential of the many diverse applications of fungi to human life. The series unveils the latest developments and scientific advances in the study of the biodiversity of fungi, extremophilic fungi, and fungal secondary metabolites and enzymes, while also presenting cutting-edge molecular tools used to study fungi. Readers will learn all about the recent progress and future potential applications of fungi in agriculture, environmental remediation, industry, food safety, medicine, and nanotechnology. Volume 1 will cover the biodiversity of fungi and...
During the 20th century, agriculture underwent many unsustainable changes for the sake of greater food production. Today, the effects of climate change are becoming ever more apparent and the global population continues to grow, placing additional pressures on agricultural systems. For this reason, it is vital to turn international agriculture towards a sustainable future capable of providing healthy, bountiful foods by using methods that preserve and reconstruct the balance of natural ecosystems. Fungi are an underappreciated, underutilized group of organisms with massive potential to aid in the production of healthy food and other products while also increasing the sustainability of agricu...
Microbes are essential components of the ecosystem. Mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere support or inhibit plant growth naturally. Plant growth-promoting fungi help to improve crop yield and crop sustainability in adverse environmental conditions including soil salinity, drought, high and low temperatures, and infections from pathogens and pests. Mycorrhizal fungi secrete plant growth-promoting substances, enzymes, and other metabolites, all of which play a vital role in enhancing the productivity of economically important plants. These fungi also reduce the need to use chemicals in agriculture, which helps to minimize soil pollutants. This book provides updated information on the production and utilization of mycorrhizal fungi for sustainable agriculture and forestry.
Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) is the most common mycorrhizal type involved in agricultural systems, and the most widespread plant root symbiosis. The fungi involved (Glomales) are known to promote plant growth and health by acting as biofertilizers, bioprotectors and bioregulators. The main aim of this book is to provide readers with theoretical and applied knowledge essential for the use of AM fungi in improving plant health and fitness, production of high quality food and in conservation of natural resources. The different chapters target understanding the role of AM fungi in sustainable crop production, discussing ways to improve biological equilibria between microorganisms in the mycorrhizosphere, analysing genetic, physiological, cellular and molecular bases of AM functioning and establishing technologies for inoculum production, according to the regulatory guidelines for application.
The fungal genus Botrytis is the focus of intensive scientific research worldwide. The complex interactions between this pathogen and the plants it infects and the economic importance of the diseases caused by Botrytis (principally grey mould) on more than 1400 species of cultivated plants pre- and post-harvest, render this pathogen of particular interest to farmers, advisers, students and researchers in many fields worldwide. This 20-chapter book is a comprehensive treatise covering the rapidly developing science of Botrytis and reflecting the major developments in studies of this fungus. It will serve as a source of general information for specialists in agriculture and horticulture, and also for students and scientists interested in the biology of this fascinating, multifaceted phytopathogenic fungal species.
Mycorrhizas are highly evoloved mutualistic associations between the soil fungi and plant roots. The partners in the association are members of the fungus kingdom and most vascular plants. This manual explains procedures used by scientists who work with mycorrhizal fungi and roots in the laboratory, nursery, or natural and managed ecosystems. Many of the techniques use readily obtainable and relatively inexpensive equipment and chemicals.
In the past half century, filamentous fungi have grown in commercial importance not only in the food industry but also as sources of pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of infectious and metabolic diseases and of specialty proteins and enzymes used to process foods, fortify detergents, and perform biotransformations. The commercial impact of molds is also measured on a negative scale since some of these organisms are significant as pathogens of crop plants, agents of food spoilage, and sources of toxic and carcinogenic compounds. Recent advances in the molecular genetics of filamentous fungi are finding increased application in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and enzyme industries, and this trend promises to continue as the genomics of fungi is explored and new techniques to speed genetic manipulation become available. This volume focuses on the filamentous fungi and highlights the advances of the past decade, both in methodology and in the understanding of genomic organization and regulation of gene and pathway expression.
Fungal nanotechnology has great prospects for developing new products with industrial, agricultural, medicinal, and consumer applications in a wide range of sectors. The fields of chemical engineering, agri-food, biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and medical device development all employ fungal products, with fungal nanomaterials currently used in applications ranging from drug development to the food industry and agricultural biotechnology. Fungal agents are an environmentally friendly, clean, non‐toxic agent for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles and employ both intracellular and extracellular methods. The simplicity of scaling up and downstream processing and the presence of...