The members of Phyllachora are biotrophic, obligate plant parasitic fungi featuring a high degree of host specificity. This genus also features a high degree of species richness and worldwide distribution. In this study, four species occurring on leaf and stem of two different species of grass were collected from Shanxi and Shaanxi Provinces, China. Based on morphological analysis, multigene (combined data set of LSU, SSU, and ITS) phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis), and host relationship, we introduce herein four new taxa of Phyllachora. Ancestral area reconstruction analysis showed that the ancestral area of Phyllachora occurred in Latin America about 194 Mya. Novel taxa are compared with the related Phyllachora species. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and notes are provided for each species.

The genus Ciliochorella is a group of pestalotioid fungi, which typically occurs in subtropical and tropical areas. Species from the Ciliochorella genus play important roles in the decomposition of litter. In this study, we introduce two new species (Ciliochorella chinensissp. nov. and C. savannicasp. nov.) that were found on leaf litter collected from savanna-like vegetation in hot dry valleys of southwestern China. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, ITS and tub2 sequence datasets indicated that C. chinensis and C. savannica respectively form a distinct clade within the Ciliochorella genus. The comparison of the morphological characteristics indicated that the two new species are well differentiated within this genus species. Analysis of the evolutionary history suggests that Ciliochorella originated from the Eurasian continent during the Paleogene (38 Mya). Further, we find that both new species can produce cellulase and laccase, playing a decomposer role.

Phyllachora species are biotrophic, obligate plant parasitic fungi featuring a high degree of host specificity, a high degree of species richness, and worldwide distribution. In this study, two Phyllachora species were collected from different hosts in Yunnan province, China. Based on morphological characteristics and multigene (LSU, ITS, SSU) phylogenetic analyses, they are introduced as two new taxa. Photographs, detailed descriptions, and notes are provided.

Phyllosticta is an important genus of pathogenic fungi with worldwide distribution. Phyllosticta species also occur as endophytes and saprobes on various plant hosts. Multi-gene phylogenetic analysis based on sequence data of ITS, LSU, TEF1 and morphological evidence supported the introduction of two new species, which were isolated from dead leaves in China. Phylogenetically, the new species, P. savannaensis and P. ovalina, formed two well-separated lineages in the Phyllosticta capitalensis and Phyllosticta cruenta species complexes, respectively. P. savannaensis is closely related to P. capitalensis, but formed a separate branch (BS= 100%/BYPP= 1.0), while P. ovalina and P. hubeiensis clustered together with high support (BS= 100%/BYPP= 1.0). Both new species exhibited the typical characteristics of the genus Phyllosticta but could be distinguished from closely related species. P. savannaensis can be differentiated from the sexual stage of other Phyllosticta species by the length to width ratio of the ascospores and shape of appendages. The ascospores of P. ovalina are oval, which distinguish it from other species of Phyllosticta.

The mutualistic system involving grasses, endophytic fungi, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has been extensively studied. Several studies have focused on the effects of Epichloë endophytic fungi on AMF colonization and the impact of their simultaneous symbiosis on the host under different nutritional conditions, while environmental factors, such as salt stress, have received less attention. This study, using wild barley (Hordeum brevisubulatum) as the experimental material, investigated the effects of simultaneous symbiosis between Epichloë bromicola fungi and three different AMF treatments on the growth, nutrient absorption, and biomass (aboveground and belowground) allocation of wild barley under salt stress. Moreover, the nutrient and biomass changes of the salt effects were explored in these two types of fungi on wild barley during different stages of symbiosis establishment. Under high salt stress, AMF colonization inhibited the growth of wild barley. E. bromicola and Glomus claroideum (GC) mycorrhizal fungi on the growth of wild barley are independent. In E. bromicola-infected (E+) plants, colonization by Glomus mossease (GM) and G. claroideum + G. mossease (Gmix) mycorrhizal fungi led to growth parameters reductions, indicating an antagonistic interaction between E. bromicola and G. mossease.