Article
Genetics & Heredity
Humberto Debat, Nicolas Bejerman
Summary: In this study, four novel DNA viruses were identified and characterized from Welwitschia mirabilis transcriptomic and genomic datasets. These viruses showed affinity to members of the Caulimoviridae and Geminiviridae families, and complete circular virus-like sequences were detected in Welwitschia mirabilis genomic data.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Norbert Juergens, Imke Oncken, Jens Oldeland, Felicitas Gunter, Barbara Rudolph
Summary: Welwitschia mirabilis, a unique plant species, is found in northern Namib Desert in Angola and Namibia, with high genetic divergence and possibly two subspecies. The study reveals the presence of multiple unique gene pools within the species, indicating the evolution of diversity within the refuge of the northern Namib Desert.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Bryan D. Emmett, Veronique Levesque-Tremblay, Maria J. Harrison
Summary: The research found that extraradical hyphae interact with soil microbial communities in both positive and negative ways, showing similar patterns of member enrichment but differences at lower taxonomic levels among samples from different soils. Two fungal species displayed similar compositions in the extraradical hyphae-associated community, but differed in their selection and enrichment for specific taxa. A distinct community was established within 14 days of hyphal access to the soil, with varying temporal patterns of establishment and turnover among taxonomic groups.
Article
Forestry
Zhichao Xia, Yue He, Helena Korpelainen, Ulo Niinemets, Chunyang Li
Summary: The study revealed significant impacts of tree sex and neighbor effects on root phenolics and rhizosphere microbiomes, with greater variability in metabolic composition of females and improved diversity of bacteria and fungi in mixed plantations. Bacterial and fungal diversity were correlated with specific phenolic metabolites, showing positive responses to root benzoic acid and pinoresinol.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Tirza Doniger, Dorsaf Kerfahi, Chaim Wachtel, Eugene Marais, Gillian Maggs-Kolling, Chen Sherman, Jonathan M. Adams, Yosef Steinberger
Summary: In a recent study, distinct soil bacterial and fungal communities were found associated with male and female plants of Welwitschia mirabilis. The fungal community composition was also influenced by site location, pH, and soil moisture. Specific fungal species were indicators of male and female plants. The fungal communities had higher network connectivity under both male and female Welwitschia plants.
Article
Microbiology
Emily Tronson, Ian Kaplan, Laramy Enders
Summary: This study examines the role of root-associated microbial communities in supporting plant tolerance to insect damage. The results show that wild tomatoes have higher tolerance to tobacco hornworm herbivory compared to domesticated tomatoes. The structure of rhizosphere microbial communities is mainly influenced by the ontogeny of the plants, as well as the tomato line, tolerance, and domestication status.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chun-dan Gan, Yan-bo Jia, Jin-yan Yang
Summary: NHAP amendment effectively reduces water-soluble fluoride levels and increases available phosphorus content in soil, potentially through the formation of insoluble CaF2 and ion exchange in NHAP. Additionally, NHAP amendment can decrease fluoride accumulation in wheat plants, indicating its potential as a promising remediation strategy for acidic soils contaminated with fluoride.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Laichao Song, Zhanhai Niu, Shiliang Chen, Shilei Zhao, Ziyuan Qiu, Yu Wang, Xuewen Hua, Zhaotang Ding, Qingping Ma
Summary: This study investigated the effects of pea-tea intercropping on rhizosphere soil microbial communities. The results showed that pea-tea intercropping can regulate the carbon- and nitrogen-fixing capacities of soil microbes, leading to the improvement of tea quality.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruochen Li, Chengyao Ren, Likun Wu, Xinxin Zhang, Xinyi Mao, Zhen Fan, Weili Cui, Wu Zhang, Gehong Wei, Duntao Shu
Summary: This study found that fertilization and rhizosphere selection have different effects on soil nitrogen cycling and microbiome in the Loess Plateau of China's semiarid area. Organic fertilization simplifies bacterial networks but increases the complexity and stability of fungal networks. Rhizosphere selection has a stronger impact on soil nitrogen cycling, and certain key gene families contribute greatly to crop yield.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Olga Marin, Bernardo Gonzalez, Maria Josefina Poupin
Summary: Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) are a valuable tool for understanding the outcomes of various biotic interactions, incorporating microbes, plants, and the environment. A systematic review of the literature identified the diverse composition of SynComs and highlighted the need for more standardized studies to fully harness their potential.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohneesh Kalwani, Hillol Chakdar, Amit Srivastava, Sunil Pabbi, Pratyoosh Shukla
Summary: Modern agriculture relies heavily on synthetic fertilizers, but nanofertilizers provide an innovative, efficient, and eco-friendly alternative. They release nutrients slowly to support plant growth and conserve beneficial microbiome diversity, although there are still challenges related to production, transportation, and dosage sensitivity.
Article
Agronomy
Masataka Nakayama, Ryunosuke Tateno
Summary: The microbial communities in the soil surrounding plant roots (rhizosphere) are distinct from those in the non-rhizosphere soil due to root exudation and symbiosis with plant roots. However, little is known about the seasonal variations in these rhizosphere microbial communities, especially during the dormant season of cool temperate forests.
Article
Agronomy
Fei Ye, Xiaoxiao Wang, Yu Wang, Shengjun Wu, Jiapeng Wu, Yiguo Hong
Summary: The interactions between rhizosphere microorganisms and pioneer plants are crucial for ecological restoration after disturbance. Different pioneer species influence the composition of rhizosphere microbial communities, with bacteria being more sensitive to environmental changes than fungi. Plant traits, rather than species composition, play a key role in shaping the microbial communities in the soil.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Khalid, Xinxin Liu, Saeed Ur Rahman, Asad Rehman, Chang Zhao, Xiaoxiao Li, Yucheng Bian, Nan Hui
Summary: The impact of cadmium contamination on microbial activities in the rhizocompartments of king grass was investigated. The results showed that the diversity and richness of both bacterial and fungal communities were negatively affected by cadmium stress, regardless of its concentration. Certain bacterial and fungal taxa exhibited resistance to cadmium stress, suggesting their potential role in the growth of king grass under heavy metal contamination.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Q. Li, F. Wan, M. Zhao
Summary: Ageratina adenophora is one of the most hazardous invasive weeds in China, causing changes in soil microbial communities and involving specific microbes in soil nutrient cycling. Soil pH is the main factor affecting microbial communities.
Article
Ecology
Yashini Naidoo, Angel Valverde, Rian E. Pierneef, Don A. Cowan
Summary: The impact of precipitation on soil microbial communities in desert ecosystems was investigated, revealing changes in taxonomic composition and functional potential with increased precipitation. The study showed that precipitation shapes the taxonomic and functional attributes of arid soil microbiomes, with certain microbial taxa being more abundant in high-rainfall areas.
Article
Ecology
S. J. Milton, H. Petersen, G. Nampa, H. van der Merwe, J. R. Henschel
Summary: This study documents the changes in rangeland during a prolonged drought in the arid Karoo region. The drought led to a reduction in vegetation cover and grazing potential, with varying levels of mortality among species and habitats. The growth form was not a reliable predictor of drought survival, but there was a shift in dominant vegetation species towards the end of the drought. Areas that were historically degraded experienced greater losses in vegetation cover and grazing capacity compared to protected areas. Drought-induced changes in vegetation composition may present higher grazing potential if livestock numbers are reduced and reseeding is conducted during the recovery period.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF RANGE & FORAGE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Felicitas Gunter, Jens Oldeland, Mike D. Picker, Joh R. Henschel, Norbert Juergens
Summary: Psammotermes allocerus is the only described species of the genus Psammotermes in Southern Africa, with a large geographical range. Significant genetic diversification was found within P. allocerus, supporting its classification as a species complex consisting of seven highly differentiated genetic groups.
ORGANISMS DIVERSITY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manuel Navarro-Perea, Yolanda Pueyo, David Moret, Angel Valverde, Jose Mariano Igual, Concepcion L. Alados
Summary: Livestock grazing has significant impacts on ecosystem functioning. Overgrazing can result in ecosystem degradation, while moderate grazing can maintain optimal ecosystem features and prevent degradation.
ARID LAND RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Mycology
S. Vikram, J. -B. Ramond, M. Ortiz, G. Maggs-Kolling, K. Pelser, D. A. Cowan
Summary: The Namib Desert in south-western Africa is one of the oldest deserts in the world and has unique geographical, biological, and climatic features. This study investigated the diversity and function of fungal communities in Namib Desert soils across different regions and found that certain fungal taxa consistently dominated the communities. The study also revealed that the assembly of fungal communities in the desert was influenced by both deterministic and stochastic processes, with limitations to fungal dispersal caused by the inland limit of fog penetration.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gilda Varliero, Pedro H. Lebre, Mark I. Stevens, Paul Czechowski, Thulani Makhalanyane, Don A. Cowan
Summary: 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing is commonly used to identify microbial diversity and composition. Different 16S rRNA gene amplified regions can result in differences in shared and unique taxa. However, multi-primer datasets can still be used to explore bacterial biogeographical patterns.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jasmin Patel, Stefan Grab, Pieter De Maayer
Summary: This study investigated the microbial diversity and community structures across different slope aspects and a flat plateau on a Lesotho mountain summit. The results showed that slope aspect significantly affects bacterial and fungal community structures, which provides insights into soil microbial diversity in mountain environments.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Benjamin Hart, Jasmin Patel, Pieter De Maayer, Ekene Emmanuel Nweke, Damon Bizos
Summary: This study aimed to compare the duodenal microbiota in South African patients with obstructive jaundice (OJ) to those without this disorder. Mucosal biopsies were taken and DNA was extracted for sequencing and analysis. The results showed differences in the microbiota between OJ patients and non-OJ patients, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. However, there was a significant difference in bacterial distribution between jaundiced patients with cholangitis and those without, as well as between patients with benign and malignant diseases. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed in the microbiota when considering the Campylobacter-Like Organisms (CLO) test status. This study revealed shifts in the microbiota in jaundiced patients and highlighted the relationship between cholangitis, gallstones, and the microbiota. Future research should validate these findings in a larger cohort.
Review
Microbiology
Gilda Varliero, Pedro H. Lebre, Beat Frey, Andrew G. Fountain, Alexandre M. Anesio, Don A. Cowan
Summary: Microbial communities and nutrient dynamics in glaciers and ice sheets are constantly changing due to hydrological conditions. Glaciers and ice sheets act as bioreactors, as microbiomes transform nutrients and impact meltwater chemistry. Global warming affects nutrient and cell export, altering proglacial systems. This review integrates current understanding of glacial hydrology, microbial activity, and nutrient and carbon dynamics, highlighting their interdependence, variability, and impact on proglacial environments.
Article
Biology
Riaan F. F. Rifkin, Surendra Vikram, Jaime Alcorta, Jean-Baptiste Ramond, Don A. A. Cowan, Mattias Jakobsson, Carina M. M. Schlebusch, Marlize Lombard
Summary: By analyzing metagenome libraries derived from the sequencing of a Later Stone Age hunter-gatherer child who lived near Ballito Bay, South Africa, about 2000 years ago, ancient DNA sequences homologous to the flea-borne typhus-like pathogen Rickettsia felis were identified, and an ancient R. felis genome was reconstructed. This provides ancient genomic evidence for the presence of Rickettsia felis in human remains from 2000 years ago, reframing previous hypotheses of R. felis as a novel or emergent pathogen in modern humans.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Joh R. Henschel, Suzanne J. Milton, Colleen L. Seymour
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Joh R. Henschel, Frances D. Duncan, Justin C. O. du Toit, Suzanne J. Milton, Helga van der Merwe
Summary: Populations of brown locusts in the Karoo alternate between resident solitaria grasshoppers and nomadic gregaria locusts. Despite decades of research, there is still a lack of follow-up studies on insightful field observations made in the early to mid-20th century. The potential negative impacts and important roles of brown locusts on rangeland and crop yields have not been well-documented.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria V. Quiroga, James C. Stegen, Gabriela Mataloni, Don Cowan, Pedro H. Lebre, Angel Valverde
Summary: Antarctica's extreme environmental conditions impose selection pressures on microbial communities, but the specific bacterial clades affected by selection processes and their ecological strategies in such conditions remain unknown. This study successfully detected bacterial clades subjected to homogeneous and heterogeneous selection and found that only the homogeneous selection clades showed high abundance and signs of microdiversity across all samples. The majority of the ASVs within each homogeneous selection clade clustered into a unique operational taxonomic unit and inhabited a specific environment. The findings suggest the existence of microdiversification leading to sub-taxa niche differentiation, with putative distinct ecotypes adapted to a specific environment. Homogeneous selection clades in the study site may have phylogenetically conserved traits that accelerate their rate of evolution and enable them to adapt to strong spatio-temporally variable selection pressures.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yashini Naidoo, Rian E. Pierneef, Don A. Cowan, Angel Valverde
Summary: The study is important for understanding the soil resistome in deserts and its role in antibiotic resistance evolution and dissemination. The researchers characterized the bacterial communities and identified various antibiotic and metal resistance genes using targeted sequencing and shotgun metagenomics. They found a diversity of resistance elements in Namib Desert soils and suggested that horizontal gene transfer plays a crucial role in their dynamics.
INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Brenda D. Wingfield, Lieschen De Vos, Andi M. Wilson, Tuan A. Duong, Niloofar Vaghefi, Angela Botes, Ravindra Nath Kharwar, Ramesh Chand, Barsha Poudel, Habibu Aliyu, Martin J. Barbetti, ShuaiFei Chen, Pieter de Maayer, FeiFei Liu, Sudhir Navathe, Shagun Sinha, Emma T. Steenkamp, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Kalonji A. Tshisekedi, Magriet A. van der Nest, Michael J. Wingfield