Trichoderma atroviride LZ42 releases volatile organic compounds promoting plant growth and suppressing Fusarium wilt disease in tomato seedlings.

BACKGROUND: The promotion of plant growth and suppression of plant disease using beneficial microorganisms is considered an alternative to the application of chemical fertilizers or pesticides in the field. RESULTS: A coconut-scented antagonistic Trichoderma strain LZ42, previously isolated from Ganoderma lucidum-cultivated soil, was investigated for biostimulatory and biocontrol functions in tomato seedlings. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses suggested that strain LZ42 is closely related to T. atroviride. Tomato seedlings showed increased aerial and root dry weights in greenhouse trials after treatment with T. atroviride LZ42 formulated in talc, indicating the biostimulatory function of this fungus. T. atroviride LZ42 effectively suppressed Fusarium wilt disease in tomato seedlings, with an 82.69% control efficiency, which is similar to that of the carbendazim treatment. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by T. atroviride LZ42 were found to affect the primary root growth direction and promote the root growth of tomato seedlings in root Y-tube olfactometer assays. The fungal VOCs from T. atroviride LZ42 were observed to significantly inhibit F. oxysporum in a sandwiched Petri dish assay. SPME-GC-MS analysis revealed several VOCs emitted by T. atroviride LZ42; the dominant compound was tentatively identified as 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one (6-PP). The VOC 6-PP exhibited a stronger ability to influence the direction of the primary roots of tomato seedlings but not the length of the primary roots. The inhibitory effect of 6-PP on F. oxysporum was the highest among the tested pure VOCs, showing a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 5.76 µL mL-1 headspace. CONCLUSIONS: Trichoderma atroviride LZ42, which emits VOCs with multiple functions, is a promising agent for the biostimulation of vegetable plants and integrated management of Fusarium wilt disease.

Genome Sequence Resource of Botryosphaeria dothidea CK16, a Fungal Pathogen Causing Chinese Hickory Trunk Canker Disease.

Botryosphaeria dothidea is a latent fungal pathogen that causes cankers or diebacks on a variety of host woody plants worldwide. The symptomatic necrosis on the host plants can be triggered by abiotic stress, such as drought and soil acidification. Here we report a high-quality genome assembly and announcement of the B. dothidea strain CK16 (CGMCC 19654), which causes trunk canker disease on Carya cathayensis in China. The genome sequence of strain CK16 will be useful for studying the evolution, host adaption, and pathogenicity of B. dothidea, which will be beneficial for a better understanding of the mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction during the endophytic period.

Parents' experience of children's transitions from intensive care unit after liver transplantation: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to understand parents' perspectives on caring for children who underwent liver transplantation in the intensive care unit transition period and to provide a reference for the development of targeted intervention strategies. METHODS: Thirteen parents of children who underwent liver transplantation at a tertiary hospital in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province were chosen for in-depth semi-structured interviews via purposive sampling. The interview data were analyzed and summarized via content analysis. FINDINGS: Three themes were extracted, including a period of separation and suffering (being apart from child is tough, chilling atmosphere, and limited family access); being an overwhelming caregiver (hope coupled with worry, conflict of roles, and existential care dilemmas); and facing a new normal: searching for information and support (information on medical conditions, post-discharge care assistance, educational support, and peer support). CONCLUSION: For parents whose child underwent liver transplantation, the transition period from the intensive care unit to the general ward is challenging. Parents are burdened with several caregiving responsibilities and require a variety of information and support. It is advised that nurses should offer sufficient information and suitable educational approaches to enhance these parents' capacity to care for their children and assist children and their parents in making a smooth transition. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study highlights parents' perspectives on caring for children with liver transplants transferred from the intensive care unit to a general ward. Transitional care is strenuous, evoking different feelings before and after transfer. The health care professionals should focus on the needs and challenges faced by parents who are caring for children with liver transplants during the intensive care unit transition period. To achieve this, it is critical to establish a supportive environment and provide suitable information and education for parents to enhance their caregiving abilities.

Antifungal activity of rapamycin on Botryosphaeria dothidea and its effect against Chinese hickory canker.

BACKGROUND: The trunk canker caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea is a devastating disease for Chinese hickory (Carya cathayensis) in China. Chemical fungicides are commonly and repeatedly applied to control the disease; however, fungicide application raises major environmental and food safety issues. Ecofriendly biocontrol alternatives were urgently needed. Herein, the antifungal activity of a natural secondary metabolite, rapamycin, against B. dothidea and the effect of a rapamycin-producing Streptomyces hygroscopicus on C. cathayensis canker were investigated. RESULTS: The 50% effective concentrations (EC50 ) of rapamycin against mycelial growth and spore germination on the potato dextrose agar were 5.1 × 10-3 and 5.5× 10-2 µg mL-1 , respectively, which were much lower than the EC50 values of thiophanate-methyl. The hyphae of B. dothidea exhibited premature aging and wrinkling after treatment with rapamycin at 5.0 × 10-3 µg mL-1 . A rapamycin-producing bacterium S. hygroscopicus LYJ637 was batch produced and formulated in a carboxymethylcellulose/poly (vinyl alcohol) (CMC/PVA) blend and used for testing the efficiency of the bacterium in controlling Botryosphaeria canker in C. cathayensis. S. hygroscopicus exhibited high stability in the CMC/PVA blend. Results of a 3-year field experiment suggested that rapamycin formation reduced the occurrence of both developed cankers and new cankers, with an efficacy comparable to the treatment with thiophanate-methyl. CONCLUSION: The rapamycin-producing S. hygroscopicus LYJ637 carried in a CMC/PVA blend prevented effectively Botryosphaeria canker on Chinese hickory, which provides an alternative approach to chemical control strategies.