• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1680-1687
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• 2020

Fungal endophytes are symbiotic microorganisms that are often found in asymptomatic plants. This study describes the genetic diversity of the fungal endophytes isolated from the roots of plants sampled from the west coast of Korea. Five halophytic plant species, Limonium tetragonum, Suaeda australis, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda glauca Bunge, and Phragmites australis, were collected from a salt marsh in Gochang and used to isolate and identify culturable, root-associated endophytic fungi. The fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 was used as the DNA barcode for the classification of these specimens. In total, 156 isolates of the fungal strains were identified and categorized into 23 genera and two phyla (Ascomycota and Basidiomycota), with Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes as the predominant classes. The genus Alternaria accounted for the largest number of strains, followed by Cladosporium and Fusarium. The highest diversity index was obtained from the endophytic fungal group associated with the plant P. australis. Waito-C rice seedlings were treated with the fungal culture filtrates to analyze their plant growth-promoting capacity. A bioassay of the Sm-3-7-5 fungal strain isolated from S. maritima confirmed that it had the highest plant growth-promoting capacity. Molecular identification of the Sm-3-7-5 strain revealed that it belongs to Alternaria alternata and is a producer of gibberellins. These findings provided a fundamental basis for understanding the symbiotic interactions between plants and fungi.

• Mycobiology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2012

Antagonistic microorganisms against $Rhizoctonia$ $solani$ were isolated and their antifungal activities were investigated. Two hundred sixteen bacterial isolates were isolated from various soil samples and 19 isolates were found to antagonize the selected plant pathogenic fungi with varying degrees. Among them, isolate C9 was selected as an antagonistic microorganism with potential for use in further studies. Treatment with the selected isolate C9 resulted in significantly reduced incidence of stem-segment colonization by $R.$ $solani$ AG2-2(IV) in Zoysia grass and enhanced growth of grass. Through its biochemical, physiological, and 16S rDNA characteristics, the selected bacterium was identified as $Bacillus$ $subtilis$ subsp. $subtilis$. Mannitol (1%) and soytone (1%) were found to be the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, for use in antibiotic production. An antibiotic compound, designated as DG4, was separated and purified from ethyl acetate extract of the culture broth of isolate C9. On the basis of spectral data, including proton nuclear magneric resonance ($^1H$ NMR), carbon nuclear magneric resonance ($^{13}C$ NMR), and mass analyses, its chemical structure was established as a stereoisomer of acetylbutanediol. Application of the ethyl acetate extract of isolate C9 to several plant pathogens resulted in dose-dependent inhibition. Treatment with the purified compound (an isomer of acetylbuanediol) resulted in significantly inhibited growth of tested pathogens. The cell free culture supernatant of isolate C9 showed a chitinase effect on chitin medium. Results from the present study demonstrated the significant potential of the purified compound from isolate C9 for use as a biocontrol agent as well as a plant growth promoter with the ability to trigger induced systemic resistance of plants.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.637-649
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• 2011

Soil microorganisms play a major role in improving soil fertility and plant health. Symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form a key component of the soil microbial populations. AMF form a mutualistic association with the host plant and exert a positive influence on its growth and nutrient uptake. The establishment of mycorrhizal symbioses with the host plant can positively be influenced by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria through various mechanisms such as increased spore germination and hyphal permeability in plant roots. Though there are evidences that combined interactions between AMF and PGPR can promote the plant growth however mechanisms of these interactions are poorly understood. Better understanding of the interactions between AMF and other microorganisms is necessary for maintaining soil fertility and enhancing crop production. This paper reviews current knowledge concerning the interactions between AMF and PGPR with plants and discusses on enhanced nutrient availability, biocontrol, abiotic stress tolerance and phytoremediation in sustainable agriculture.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1526-1532
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• 2021

Suaeda australis, Phragmites australis, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda glauca Bunge, and Limonium tetragonum in the Seocheon salt marsh on the west coast of the Korean Penincula were sampled in order to identify the endophytes inhabiting the roots. A total of 128 endophytic fungal isolates belonging to 31 different genera were identified using the fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene. Fusarium, Paraconiothyrium and Alternaria were the most commonly isolated genera in the plant root samples. Various diversity indicators were used to assess the diversity of the isolated fungi. Pure cultures containing each of the 128 endophytic fungi, respectively, were tested for the plant growth-promoting abilities of the fungus on Waito-C rice germinals. The culture filtrate of the isolate Lt-1-3-3 significantly increased the growth of shoots compared to the shoots treated with the control. Lt-1-3-3 culture filtrate was analyzed and showed the presence of gibberellins (GA₁ 2.487 ng/ml, GA₃ 2.592 ng/ml, GA₉ 3.998, and GA₂₄ 6.191 ng/ml). The culture filtrate from the Lt-1-3-3 fungal isolate produced greater amounts of GA₉ and GA₂₄ than the wild-type Gibberella fujikuroi, a fungus known to produce large amounts of gibberellins. By the molecular analysis, fungal isolate Lt-1-3-3 was identified as Gibberella intermedia, with 100% similarity.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.79 no.3
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• pp.309-315
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• 1990

This study was carried out to observe the effects of two soil mixtures, various nitrogen levels, and inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi on the growth of 1-year-old Pinus thunbergil seedlings in pots. The seedlings were treated with various combinations of above factors and grown one more year in pots. 1. Number of short roots, mycorrhizal short roots, height growth, and total dry weight were higher in vermiculite than in sandy loam. 2. 2-year-old P. thunbergii seedlings inoculated with Pisolithus tinctorius mycorrhizal fungi showed significant increase in primary lateral roots, short roots, and total dry weight than those of uninoculated seedlings. 3. The growth of 2-year-old P. thunbergii seedlings was affected by infection with mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen fertilization of precious year.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.149-159
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• 2013

The nitrogen source-requirement and preference of ectomycorrhizal fungi (42 strains belong to 13 genera) collected from Korean forests were investigated by incubating mycelial cells in four nitrogen source test media for 56 days. The nitrogen requirement was relatively high in five strains (Heimioporus japonicas (KFRI 1224), Suillus luteus (KFRI 1232), Tylopilus castaneiceps (KFRI 1383), Suillus granulates (KFRI 1997), Rhizopogon sp. (KFRI 1434)) in comparison with other strains. Forty-five percent of ectomycorrhizal strains including Boletus griseus (KFRI 1362) preferred the ammonium-form of inorganic nitrogen source for mycelial growth, whereas thirty-six percent of tested strains including Suillus grevillei (KFRI 1125) preferred the nitrate-form as an inorganic nitrogen source.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.134-137
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• 2004

This study was carried out to determine the optimum culture conditions for Phellinus spp. known as white rot fungi showing anti-cancer activity. The optimum solid medium for mycelial growth at $25^{\circ}C$ was potato dextrose agar medium and optimum pH range was $6.0{\sim}8.0$, while all species showed reduced or no growth at pH 4.0. Most species showed good growth at $25{\sim}30^{\circ}C$. Out of 10 species of Phellinus examined, P. biscuspidatus was the best growing fungus in the range of pH $6.0{\sim}7.0$ based on mycelial density. Three species such as P. biscuspidatus, P. johnsonianus and P. lloydii could be grouped in mesophile fungi, showing $30{\sim}35^{\circ}C$ optimum temperature.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.297-305
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• 1982

Environmental conditions of fungal growth on Korean rice grain, Milyang No.23, were studied and optimum treatment conditions of the selected fumigants for controlling fungal deterioration of rice were investigated The results are as follows. 1. Most of the fungi grew well above 80% relative humidity and 19% moisture content within 10-30 days. But at 12.5-13.0% moisture content of grains, only Aspergillus candidus, Asperillus versicolor, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Trichothecium roseum were developed within 2 months. The other fungi were only detectable for their mycelial growth under microscopic observation. 2. Among the ten fumigants tested to control the fungal growth on the rice, ethylene oxide was found to be the most effective at a leve1 of 16 mg/$\ell$ for 48 hrs treatment and the next was methyl bromide (32 mg/$\ell$), acrilonitrile and methyl iodide (64 mg/$\ell$). The other fumigants, such as ammonia, methyl formate, ethyl formate, carbon dioxide and propionic acid were found less effective under the tested conditions.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 1993

A series of 12 pyrimidine derivatives were prepared and tested in vitro against growth, sporulation and nucleic acids of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and Helminthosporium oryzae. Intorduction of thiazole ring together with two aryl groups to 2-aminopyrimidine induced drastic toxicity for both fungi. Pyrimidine derivatives with aryl groups were less toxic. Nitro groups were found to enhance the toxicity of the pyrimidine derivatives especially when substituted in ortho-position of the aryl groups. Inhibition of nudeic acids synthesis of both fungi was attributed mainly to the presence of thiazole ring.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.100.1-100.1
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• 2008