RNA-Based Analysis Reveals High Diversity of Plant-Associated Active Fungi in the Atmosphere

Abstract

Fungi are ubiquitous in nature; that is, they are present everywhere on the planet; understanding the active state and functional capacity of airborne microbes associated with health of human, animal, and plant is critical for biosafety management. Here, we firstly and directly proved that there were about 40% active fungi in the air via rRNA amplicon sequencing and imaging flow cytometry simultaneously. Amplicon sequencing analysis showed differences between structures of active and total fungal community; Ascomycota were dominant in the active community, while Basidiomycota have low transcriptional activity across all samples. Notably, plant pathogenic fungi were predominant in the air, and more than 50% were active, including not only several common plant pathogens but also biotrophic fungi (Erysiphe sp. and Microbotryum sp.) and host-specific pathogens, which were generally considered to be inactive after leaving the host. Putative plant pathogens of eight genera were found active across the sampling season, indicating their superior ability to obtain nutrients even in barren nutrient environments. Interestingly, we detected several potentially active unrecorded fungi in China (Diatrype prominens, Septofusidium herbarum, Pseudomicrostroma glucosiphilum, and Uromycladium tepperianum), which suggested that they spread over a long distance by air and may cause diseases under favorable conditions. Our results suggested that maintaining transmission in air is an essential feature of many fungi including plant pathogens regardless of being a biotrophic, hemibiotrophic, or necrotrophic group. Moreover, two potentially active human pathogens and one animal pathogen were captured, which indicated their potential risks. This study provided a new perspective for more comprehensive understanding of airborne fungi, including their multidimensional lifestyle, state, functioning, and potential pathogenic risk. It also laid the foundation for further prediction and management of airborne microbial communities, which would be of interest for public health and agriculture.

Phytochemicals demonstrate potential fungicidal activity against Fusarium commune, a newly identified pathogenic fungus causing rhizome rot in Polygonatum cyrtonema (giant Chinese Solomon's seal)

“…Fusarium commune has various modes of transmission, including through chlamydospores and macroconidia that can be carried by air currents, rainfall, insects and movement of soil (Chen et al, 2021;Heck, 2018;Husna, 2020;Shimwela et al, 2016;Yang et al, 2022).…”

“…Fusarium commune has various modes of transmission, including through chlamydospores and macroconidia that can be carried by air currents, rainfall, insects and movement of soil (Chen et al., 2021; Heck, 2018; Husna, 2020; Shimwela et al., 2016; Yang et al., 2022). Additionally, environmental and nutritional factors, such as temperature, pH, carbon and nitrogen sources, and light, can significantly affect pathogen's infection ability (Alves et al., 2017; Anja et al., 2021; Liu et al., 2017; Moreno‐Amores et al., 2020).…”

Identification of a new root rot-causing pathogen in Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua and screening of phytochemicals for its control

“…F. commune has various modes of transmission, including through chlamydospores and macroconidia that can be carried by air, rain, and insects (Husna 2020;Yang et al 2022;Heck 2018;Chen et al 2021;Shimwela et al 2016). Additionally, environmental and nutritional factors, such as temperature, pH, carbon and nitrogen sources, and light, can significantly affect the pathogen infection (Moreno-Amores et al 2020;Alves et al 2017;Liu et al 2017;Anja et al 2021).…”

Preliminary insight into the relationship between bioaerosols and urban environment obtained from the COVID-19 self-quarantine period in the Tokyo metropolitan area

“…Alternaria and Erysiphe increased with the PM 2.5 , SPM, and O x concentrations. They are often reported to be associated with the atmospheric environment: Alternaria is reportedly transported long distances in the atmosphere (Skjøth et al 2016) and is predominant in polluted air (Yan et al 2016, Chen et al 2021; Erysiphe is reportedly found in the atmosphere throughout the year and to have a long survival time (Chen et al 2021, Carisse et al 2009. These fungal genera were also associated with temperature and O x concentration.…”