Two new genera of Magnaporthaceae (Magnaporthales, Sordariomycetes) associated with switchgrass from the serpentine barrens ecosystem.
Two new fungal genera, Curvophialophora and Drepanoconia, within Magnaporthaceae, were discovered on switchgrass in the Pennsylvania Serpentine Barrens.
- Why it matters: Understanding the diversity of root-associated fungi is crucial for ecological insights and biofuel crop management, yet many fungi remain uncharacterized in these environments.
- What they did: Multigene phylogenetic analyses, morphological, and ecological studies identified and described these two new genera and species, highlighting their distinctive structures and ecological roles.
- The result: Both fungi exhibited phytotoxic effects on Arabidopsis thaliana, suggesting potential impacts on plant health and ecosystem dynamics, and expanding knowledge of Magnaporthaceae diversity.