Amphichorda monjolensis sp. nov., a new fungal species isolated from a Brazilian limestone cave, with an update on acremonium-like species in Bionectriaceae.

Caves are unique environments characterized by spatial limitations, partial or total absence of direct light, and scarcity of organic carbon and nutrients. Caves are shelters for a variety of adapted animals and microorganisms such as fungi, many of which are still unknown. Amphichorda is a fungal genus belonging to the family Bionectriaceae, which includes cave-dwelling and entomopathogenic species with biotechnological applications. In this study, a new fungal species was identified using morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, LSU, and TEF loci, in the Gruta Velha Nova limestone cave located in the Southern Espinhaço Range, Monjolos, Minas Gerais, Brazil. During the exposure of potato dextrose agar plates to the cave environment, an insect from the family Rhaphidophoridae passed by and fed on the culture medium, resulting in three fungal isolates. Phylogenetic analyses showed that these isolates formed a clade distinct from all known species, leading us to introduce a new species, Amphichorda monjolensis, which may be associated with this insect. Here, we also proposed two new combinations for species of acremonium-like fungi in the Bionectriaceae: Bulbithecium globosisporum (synonym: Acremonium globosisporum) and Hapsidospora curva (synonym: Acremonium curvum). The discovery of A. monjolensis highlights the potential of caves as shelters for new species with significant biotechnological importance.

Potential of Grasses in Phytolith Production in Soils Contaminated with Cadmium.

Cadmium (Cd) is a very toxic heavy metal occurring in places with anthropogenic activities, making it one of the most important environmental pollutants. Phytoremediation plants are used for recovery of metal-contaminated soils by their ability to absorb and tolerate high concentrations of heavy metals. This paper aims to evaluate the potential of grasses in phytolith production in soils contaminated with Cd. The experiments, separated by soil types (Typic Quartzipsamment, Xanthic Hapludox and Rhodic Hapludox), were conducted in a completely randomized design with a distribution of treatments in a 3 × 4 factorial scheme with three replications. The factors were three grasses (Urochloa decumbens, Urochloa brizantha and Megathyrsus maximus) and four concentrations of Cd applied in soils (0, 2, 4 and 12 mg kg-1). Grass growth decreased and increased Cd concentration in shoots of grasses with the increased Cd rates in soils. The toxic effect of Cd resulted in production and Cd occlusion in phytoliths produced in shoots of the grasses. Grasses showed potential for phytolith production, independent of soil type, providing phytoextraction of Cd in phytoliths. Megathyrsus maximus was the grass with the highest tolerance to Cd, evidenced by higher production and Cd capture in phytoliths for the evaluated soils. Phytolith production by grasses in Cd-contaminated soils is related to genetic and physiological differences of the evaluated grasses and Cd availability in soils.

Determination of the biodegradability of chitosan utilizing the most probable number technique

The present work aimed to evaluate the degradability of the chitosan polymer by soil microorganisms.This evaluation was accomplished using the Most Probable Number (MPN) method by plating in drops so that soil microorganisms capable of degrading the polymeric material could be quantified. Soil samples diluted in three specific culture media for each typeof microorganism were plated –bacteria, fungi and actinobacteria–and they were maintained at 28°C for seven days to determine the growth rate of fungi and actinobacteria, and for 48hoursfor the development of bacteria. Significant differences in the MPN of actinobacteriarelative to the other groups analyzed were observed. Thus, the method used was effective for determining the degradability of the chitosan biopolymer when observing the development of microorganisms subjected to the replacement of thecarbonsource by the addition of 2% w v-1of the chitosan biopolymer to the culture medium. The formation of clear regions around the microbial colonies was a strong indicator of biodegradation.

Atividade microbiana e produção da lavoura cafeeira após adubação com dejetos líquidos de suínos / Microbial activity and production of coffee crops after fertilization with pig slurry

Uma alternativa viável para a destinação dos dejetos líquidos de suínos (DLS) é a distribuição como biofertilizantes em solos cultivados, após um adequado tratamento. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as alterações nos atributos microbianos de um solo cultivado com café após aplicação de diferentes doses de dejetos líquidos de suínos tratados em sistema de lagoas de estabilização em série. O estudo foi realizado na Fazenda Yamaguchi em um Argissolo Vermelho Amarelo no município de Diamantina, Minas Gerais. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de aplicação de 0, 125, 250, 500 kg ha-1 N na forma de efluentes e 250 kg ha-1 de sulfato de amônia (convencional) em solo cultivado com café. As amostras de solo foram coletadas, na camada de 0-10 cm de profundidade, nas seguintes épocas: antes, 30, 60 e 90 dias após a adubação. Foram avaliados a produção do cafeeiro, a respiração basal e o carbono da biomassa microbiana, e determinado o quociente metabólico. As amostras de 60 e 90 dias após a adubação apresentou diferença em relação à amostra controle, favorecendo incrementos na biomassa e na atividade microbiana. Observa-se que a aplicação de 125 kg de N ha ano-1 ano-1 de DLS é a melhor dose, por apresentar produção significativamente equivalente à produtividade de grãos da dosagem de 250 kg de N ha ano-1 de SA. Desse modo, em longo prazo, as aplicações consecutivas de dejetos líquidos de suínos, em solo cultivado com café, tendem a melhorar os atributos microbianos do solo. Os DLS podem ser utilizados junto com a adubação convencional para a cultura do café.

A viable alternative for the disposal of pig slurry (DLS) is the distribution as biofertilizers in soils after a suitable treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in microbial attributes of a soil cultivated with coffee after application of different doses of pig slurry treated in system stabilization ponds in series. The study was conducted at Fazenda Yamaguchi in a Alfissol in Diamantina, Minas Gerais. The treatments consisted of application of 0, 125, 250, 500 kg N ha-1 in the form of effluent and 250 kg ha-1 of ammonium sulfate (conventional) on soil cultivated with coffee. Soil samples were collected at 0-10 cm depth in the following periods: before, 30, 60 and 90 days after fertilization. The production of coffee, basal respiration and microbial biomass carbon and metabolic quotient determined. Samples 60 and 90 days after fertilization showed difference from the control sample, favoring increases in biomass and microbial activity. It is observed that the application of 125 kg N ha yr-1 yr-1 DLS is the best dose for presenting production significantly to grain yield equivalent dosage of 250 kg N ha-1 year of SA. Thus, in the long term, consecutive applications of pig slurry on soil cultivated with coffee, tend to improve soil microbial attributes. The DLS can be used along with conventional fertilization for growing coffee.