In the aim of implementing new technologies, sustainable solutions and disruptive innovation to sustain biodiversity and reduce environmental pollution, there is a growing interest by researchers all over the world in bioprospecting endophytic microbial communities as an alternative source of bioactive compounds to be used for industrial applications. Medicinal plants represent a considerable source of endophytic fungi of outstanding importance, which highlights the opportunity of identifying and screening endophytes associated with this unique group of plants, widespread in diverse locations and biotopes, in view of assessing their biotechnological potential. As the first contribution of a series of papers dedicated to the Lamiaceae, this article reviews the occurrence and properties of endophytic fungi associated with sages (Salvia spp.).

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This work is a continuation of research on Diaporthe genus isolates obtained in 2010−2012 from fruit trees in Poland, which on the basis of previously conducted molecular tests, have been identified as one species belonging to the Diaporthe eres species complex. The aim of this study was to determine the morphology and pathogenic abilities of tested Diaporthe eres isolates. The experiment included cross tests, in which the shoots of apple, pear, cherry and plum trees were inoculated with each of the 4 isolates derived from each mentioned host plants. As a result of experiment, the pathogenic nature of D. eres in relation to the shoots of fruit trees, was confirmed. The isolates were also characterized on the basis of the colony appearance and spore dimensions. Morphological features of studied D. eres cultures were very similar, regardless of the isolate and the host plant, from which they were obtained. All tested isolates formed alpha and beta conidia having the same range size.

Recently, Diaporthe has been considered the most frequently isolated genera of endophytic fungi, having a broad spectrum of host plants and a worldwide distribution. The endophytic Diaporthe strain used in the present work came from the Fungal Collection of Phytopathology and Mycology Subdepartment, University of Life Sciences in Lublin (Poland), and was isolated from healthy Prunus domestica shoots during previous studies. Due to the possibility of using the Diaporthe endophytes as a promising option for plant disease management, the main goal of the research was to study the antagonistic effect of endophytic Diaporthe strain against six phytopathogens: Verticillium dahliae, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium avenaceum, F. sprotrichioides, Alternaria alternata, and Trichothecium roseum based on the dual culture assay and to determine the catabolic profile of the endophyte by using Biolog FF Plates. The dual-culture test assay revealed the ability of the endophytic Diaporthe to limit the growth of all tested pathogens. The growth inhibition percentage ranged from 20% (V. dahliae) to 40% (T. roseum). A distinct zone of inhibition occurred between the endophytic Diaporthe and the pathogens T. roseum, V. dahliae, and B. cinerea in the co-growth combinations. As for the catabolic profile results, the most intensive utilization of carbon substrates was observed after 168 h of incubation. The growth of the analyzed strain was observed on 79 media containing carbohydrates, carboxylic acids, amino acids, amines and amides, polymers, and others. The most effective decomposition was observed in the polymers group, the least in amines and amides. Molecular identification indicated that this strain was closely related to the Diaporthe eres species complex.

The molecular characterization of Boeremia strasseri (Moesz) Gruyter et Verkley (basionym Phoma strasseri Moesz) isolates from peppermint crops grown in south-eastern and central Poland was studied using the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) -PCR technique. Tests were performed using randomly selected primers. DNA profiles obtained using five primers proved to be useful in determining the genetic variability among B. strasseri genotypes. Molecular analysis of four loci: (i) rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2); (ii) LSU (partial large subunit DNA 28S); (iii) tub 2 (gene region of βtubulin); (iv) act (gene region of gamma-actin) proved that the actin gene is the most suitable DNA barcode for the accurate and rapid identification B. strasseri species.

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the influence of temperature and fungi colonizing fruit plants on Diaporthe, a pathogenic fungus in Poland. The biotic series method was used to test in vitro the effects of the fungi colonizing fruit trees on isolates of Diaporthe. Among the 13 fungal species tested, six inhibited the growth and development of Diaporthe; while another two species were neutral and the rest showed the lack of limiting impact in relation to the pathogen. Fungi present in the shoots of fruit plants was able to limit the growth and development of Diaporthe spp., both in chemically-protected and non-protected orchards. Studies on the effect of temperature indicated that the optimum temperature for vegetative growth of isolates of Diaporthe ranged from 20°C to 30°C, and for conidial sporulation from 25°C to 30°C. However, the ability of Diaporthe sp. to survive at extreme temperature (–20°C and +35°C) enables their vegetative growth in climatic conditions worldwide.

Genetic variability within Septoria carvi isolates obtained from various organs of caraway cultivated in south-eastern and central Poland was studied using the RAPD-PCR technique. The tests were performed using randomly selected primers. The DNA profiles obtained using four primers proved useful in determining genetic variability among the genotypes of Septoria carvi isolates. The present study characterized the differences in the nucleotide sequence within the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA (ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2) of selected S. carvi isolates and reference strains of Septoria spp. Moreover, eight isolates were sequenced for three loci: actin, calmodulin and translation elongation factor 1-alpha, and the obtained sequences were compared with the sequences of Septoria reference strains affecting other plants of the family Apiaceae. Phylogenetic analysis showed distinct differences of the tested isolates, which allowed to treat them Septoria carvi species affecting the above-ground organs of caraway Carum carvi L. This study is the first report on the genetic characteristics of the species S. carvi.

Six fungicides from various chemical groups and two natural products, i.e., Biosept Active (grapefruit extract) and Beta-Chikol (chitosan) were tested in vitro against <em>Diaporthe eres</em> isolated from the shoots of fruit trees. The preparations were incorporated in PDA medium to provide final fungicide concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 g cm⁻³. Biosept Active concentrations of 0.05%, 0.075%, and 0.1%, and Beta-Chikol concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 2.5%, respectively. The antifungal activity of the preparations was evaluated based on mycelial growth of <em>D. eres</em> strains after 4 and 8 days of culture and changes in the morphological structures of the fungus. The highest antifungal activity was registered for thiophanate-methyl at all tested concentrations, followed by thiram, which showed the same activity but only at 100 g cm⁻³. Among the preparations of natural origin, Beta-Chikol was more effective against <em>D. eres</em> than Biosept Active. The effects achieved by the former preparation were comparable with those achieved by some of the most effective fungicides tested against <em>D. eres</em>.