Using the basic GenBank local alignment search tool program (BLAST) to identify fungi collected in a recently protected beech forest at Montricher (Switzerland), the number of ITS sequences associated to the wrong taxon name appears to be around 30%, even higher than previously estimated. Such results rely on the in-depth re-examination of BLAST results for the most interesting species that were collected, viz. first records for Switzerland, rare or patrimonial species and problematic species (when BLAST top scores were equally high for different species), all belonging to Agaricomycotina. This paper dissects for the first time a number of sequence-based identifications, thereby showing in every detail—particularly to the user community of taxonomic information—why sequence-based identification in the context of a fungal inventory can easily go wrong. Our first conclusion is that in-depth examination of BLAST results is too time consuming to be considered as a routine approach for future inventories: we spent two months on verification of approx. 20 identifications. Apart from the fact that poor taxon coverage in public depositories remains the principal impediment for successful species identification, it can be deplored that even very recent fungal sequence deposits in GenBank involve an uncomfortably high number of misidentifications or errors with associated metadata. While checking the original publications associated with top score sequences for the few examples that were here re-examined, a positive consequence is that we uncovered over 80 type sequences that were not annotated as types in GenBank. Advantages and pitfalls of sequence-based identification are discussed, particularly in the light of undertaking fungal inventories. Recommendations are made to avoid or reduce some of the major problems with sequence-based identification. Nevertheless, the prospects for a more reliable sequence-based identification of fungi remain quite dim, unless authors are ready to check and update the metadata associated with previously deposited sequences in their publications.

UV-C radiation is known to induce metabolic modifications in plants, particularly to secondary metabolite biosynthesis. To assess these modifications from a global and untargeted perspective, the effects of the UV-C radiation of the leaves of three different model plant species, Cissus antarctica Vent. (Vitaceae), Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae) and Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae), were evaluated by an LC-HRMS-based metabolomic approach. The approach enabled the detection of significant metabolite modifications in the three species studied. For all species, clear modifications of phenylpropanoid metabolism were detected that led to an increased level of stilbene derivatives. Interestingly, resveratrol and piceid levels were strongly induced by the UV-C treatment of C. antarctica leaves. In contrast, both flavonoids and stilbene polymers were upregulated in UV-C-treated Vitis leaves. In Cannabis, important changes in cinnamic acid amides and stilbene-related compounds were also detected. Overall, our results highlighted phytoalexin induction upon UV-C radiation. To evaluate whether UV-C stress radiation could enhance the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds, the antioxidant activity of extracts from control and UV-C-treated leaves was measured. The results showed increased antioxidant activity in UV-C-treated V. vinifera extracts.

Potato late blight (PLB), caused by the pathogenic oomycete Phytophthora infestans, can cause extensive economic damage. Copper is used to combat PLB mainly in organic production. However, its reduction or elimination as a fungicide is a priority in Europe, and it is already banned in some countries. Alternative control strategies, including botanicals, could potentially reduce copper and control PLB. We investigated the application of Frangula alnus bark, reduced copper applications, and F. alnus' sequential use with reduced copper applications in field and laboratory experiments. Different dosages and preparations influenced F. alnus efficacy and the quantity of its posited active ingredients. Through in vitro and in planta experiments, we investigated whether F. alnus directly or indirectly controlled PLB. A bacterium (Erwinia spp.), originating from the F. alnus extract, colonized the media and caused most of the direct inhibition in vitro, but filtering out microorganisms had no effect on the extract’s efficacy in planta. The contribution of extract-associated microorganisms to PLB control is unclear and requires additional experimentation to assess. The measured anthraquinones likely contributed to the effect of F. alnus. During 4 years of field experiments, the reduced copper and F. alnus treatments decreased disease severity in four and in three years, respectively, compared with the water control. No differences in disease severity or yield were observed between full and reduced copper treatments. Potato variety more consistently drove differences in total and marketable yields compared with the treatment. The yield was relatively stable within each year, suggesting that the treatment effect on yield is intertwined with the timing of disease development and environmental conditions. [ ] Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .

BIO Web of Conferences, open access proceedings in biology, life sciences and health

Potato late blight (PLB), due to the pathogenic oomycete, Phytophthora infestans , can cause extensive economic damage, particularly in organic potato production. Although copper is used to combat PLB in organic production, it is banned in some countries, and its reduction or elimination as a plant protection product is an increasing priority in Europe. Alternative control strategies, including botanicals, could potentially reduce copper and control PLB. We investigated the application of Frangula alnus bark, its sequential use with a reduced copper application, and a reduced copper application alone in field and lab experiments. The influence of different dosages and preparations on efficacy and the quantity of the posited active ingredients were examined. Frangula alnus treatments decreased disease severity compared to a water control but showed differences in efficacy depending on dosage and disease pressure. Through in vitro and in planta experiments, we investigated whether F. alnus directly or indirectly controlled PLB. A bacterium ( Erwinia spp.), originating from the F. alnus extract, colonized the media and accounted for most of the direct inhibition in vitro, but removing microorganisms through filtration had no effect on the extract’s efficacy in planta. The contribution of extract-associated microorganisms to PLB control is unclear and requires additional experimentation to assess. The presence of measured anthraquinones likely contributed to the effect of F. alnus . In field experiments, copper consistently and F. alnus generally (except for one year) reduced disease severity compared to a water control. No difference was observed in disease severity between the full and reduced copper treatments. Potato variety more consistently drove differences in total and marketable yields compared to the applied treatment. The relative stability of the yield suggests that treatment effectiveness is intertwined with the timing of disease development and environmental conditions.

The first commercial use of synthetic pesticides for crop protection dates back to the 1940s, followed by a fast spreading of their use and the development of a large number of compounds. In contra...