Metaxa : a software tool for automated detection and discrimination among ribosomal small subunit (12S/16S/18S) sequences of archaea, bacteria, eukaryotes, mitochondria, and chloroplasts in metagenomes and environmental sequencing datasets

Peer reviewedPostprin

Multigene phylogeny of selected anamorphic ascomycetes

abstractpublished_or_final_versionBiological SciencesDoctoralDoctor of Philosoph

Infra-specific diversity of <i>Colletotrichum truncatum</i> associated with chilli anthracnose in India based on microsatellite marker analysis

<div><p><i>Colletotrichum truncatum</i> is a fungal species associated with anthracnose disease in many economically important crops within the plant families Fabaceae and Solanaceae. Understanding the degree of genetic diversity within <i>C. truncatum</i> population will provide insights into the ability of this species to evolve in response to environmental conditions, and thus be helpful in designing effective control strategies for this pathogen. In this study, microsatellite markers from 27 loci were used to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure among 99 isolates of <i>C. truncatum</i> from India. All the loci (100%) were polymorphic and a total of 140 different alleles were amplified. Six distinct groups were obtained based on unweighted pair group method with arithmetical average cluster analysis. The isolates belonging to Group V showed the highest level of genetic diversity and a broad host range. Analysis of molecular variance analysis showed that the variation occurs mostly within groups. Microsatellite markers-based genetic diversity estimation revealed high diversity among <i>C. truncatum</i> isolates from India.</p></div

Stimulatory Effects of Arsenic-Tolerant Soil Fungi on Plant Growth Promotion and Soil Properties

Fifteen fungi were obtained from arsenic-contaminated agricultural fields in West Bengal, India and examined for their arsenic tolerance and removal ability in our previous study. Of these, the four best arsenic-remediating isolates were tested for plant growth promotion effects on rice and pea in the present study. A greenhouse-based pot experiment was conducted using soil inocula of individual fungi. The results indicated a significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in plant growth and improvement of soil properties in inoculated soils compared to the control. A significant increase in plant growth was recorded in treated soils and varied from 16–293%. Soil chemical and enzymatic properties varied from 20–222 % and 34–760%, respectively, in inoculated soil. Plants inoculated with inocula of Westerdykella and Trichoderma showed better stimulatory effects on plant growth and soil nutrient availability than Rhizopus and Lasiodiplodia. These fungi improved soil nutrient content and enhanced plant growth. These fungi may be used as bioinoculants for plant growth promotion and improved soil properties in arsenic-contaminated agricultural soils. Key words: pea, plant growth-promoting fungi, rice, soil enzymes, arsenic-contaminated soils Chemical fertilizers, agrochemicals and pesticides have been intensively applied to soils to increase crop production to meet food demands all over the world; however, these are disruptive to soil biological processes. Exploring nove