Your path towards ecological understanding

Overlooked and underappreciated fungal symbiotes; Trichoderma species

April 27, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Orange filaments in a.) and b.) represent Trichoderma sp. within plant roots. Blue filaments represent fungal pathogens. When invaded by Trichoderma sp. the plant responds by creating cell-wall deposits (black squiggles) which limits Trichoderma and… — Orange filaments in a.) and b.) represent *Trichoderma* sp. within plant roots. Blue filaments represent fungal pathogens. When invaded by *Trichoderma* sp. the plant responds by creating cell-wall deposits (black squiggles) which limits *Trichoderma* and pathogen growth. The first plant in panel c.) represents a healthy, disease resistant plant with *Trichoderma* sp. present while the second individual represents a disease ridden, less fit plant without the fungal mutualist. Harman et al. 2004.

Like mycorrhizae, Trichoderma sp. do more than just providing their host with nutrients. They offer numerous fitness enhancing services that must not be overlooked. In today’s post I will briefly describe the ecological services provided by Trichoderma sp. and how we are using this group of fungi to enhance our own fitness.

Norman Borlaug; rust’s worst nightmare.

March 21, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Norman Borlaug is a name we should all know. He believed that food was a right to all, and that your origin of birth shouldn’t determine your access to food. Today I learned how he combated one of our greatest crop enemies; rust.

Those black spots on leaves you are seeing, yeah, that’s a fungus. #FungiFriday

October 27, 2017 Philip Pinzone

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&n… — *Rhytisma acerinum,* the tar spot fungus growing within a leaf of a Norway maple.

Learn about the tar spot fungus. Trust me, its a cool species.

#FUNGIFRIDAY The common split gill; Schizophyllum commune

August 11, 2017 Philip Pinzone

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LatentStyleCount… — Photo by Zaca Lepista. Specimen found in Portugal.

Cultivate knowledge from the forest floor. Learn about the adaptations that has lead to this species global distribution.

#FUNGIFRIDAY The Northern tooth fungus

August 4, 2017 Philip Pinzone

Happy Fungi Friday! Learn about the charismatic parasite-the northern tooth fungus. Increase you mycological knowledge, so you can become a steward for the forest floor.