En la región de Los Llanos, Durango, México, la paja de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris) es un recurso forrajero fundamental, aunque limitado por su bajo contenido proteico y alta proporción de celulosa, hemicelulosa y lignina. Ante la necesidad de alternativas sostenibles para mejorar el aprovechamiento de este residuo agroindustrial y reducir la dependencia de insumos químicos, se planteó aislar, identificar y evaluar hongos nativos presentes en la paja de frijol, con énfasis en su potencial para la producción de enzimas de interés biotecnológico. La paja se recolectó en Guadalupe Victoria, Durango, se realizaron aislamientos fúngicos bajo condiciones controladas. Se obtuvieron seis cepas: tres Clonostachys, dos de Aspergillus y una de Mucor. Por su posible patogenicidad, se descartaron las cepas de Aspergillus y Mucor. Clonostachys demostraron una destacada capacidad celulólitica, evidenciada por mayores índices de potencia y eficiencia en la solubilización de celulosa, además de potencial para producir otras enzimas relevantes en la degradación de la pared celular vegetal. Los resultados sugieren que las cepas de Clonostachys aisladas poseen un potencial para generar bioinsumos agrícolas y contribuir al desarrollo de estrategias de control biológico, para contribuir así a la sostenibilidad y resiliencia de los sistemas agropecuarios regionales. Este trabajo resalta la importancia de la bioprospección de la microbiota nativa como fuente de innovación y conservación de la biodiversidad en el sector pecuario.

Mesquite species are widely distributed across arid and semi-arid regions and provide important ecological and socioeconomic benefits, including timber, livestock forage, fuelwood, and food for human consumption. However, mesquite woodlands are threatened by several biotic factors, including insect pests, parasitic plants, and epiphytes. The abundance of the atmospheric epiphyte Tillandsia recurvata has been associated with the mineral characteristics of potential host-tree canopies. This study evaluated whether colonization by T. recurvata was associated with changes in nitrogenous compounds and carbohydrate reserves in natural stands of Neltuma laevigata in northern Mexico. Total soluble proteins were quantified using the Bradford method, total free amino acids using the Yemm and Cocking method, starch using a colorimetric iodine-based procedure, and total soluble sugars using the Van Handel method. Roots, stems, leaves, and fruits were compared between trees growing at a site colonized by T. recurvata and trees at a site where the epiphyte was absent. Total soluble protein concentrations did not differ significantly between sites in any of the evaluated organs. In contrast, significant differences in total free amino acid and starch concentrations were detected in all organs. Total soluble sugars concentrations did not differ significantly in roots or fruits, whereas significant differences were observed in stems and leaves. These findings indicate that T. recurvata colonization was associated with organ-specific variation in the nitrogen and carbon reserve compounds of N. laevigata, although total soluble protein concentrations remained unchanged.

The genus Clonostachys comprises morphologically similar species whose delimitation often requires integrative taxonomic approaches. In this study, three fungal strains (RC2, RC5, and RC7) isolated from pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) straw collected in the Los Llanos region of Durango, Mexico, were examined using morphological and multilocus phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on five loci (ITS, LSU, TEF1, TUB2, and RPB2) consistently resolved the isolates as a single, strongly supported monophyletic lineage distinct from closely related species, including Clonostachys rhizophaga, C. chloroleuca, and C. kunmingensis. Morphologically, Clonostachys allendensis is distinguished from its closest phylogenetic relatives by a combination of yellowish perithecia, cylindrical to slightly ampulliform phialides, predominantly unicellular ellipsoidal conidia, and pale pink to salmon colony pigmentation. In addition, multilocus phylogenetic analyses consistently recovered C. allendensis as a distinct and well-supported lineage within Clonostachys. Among the isolates examined, strain RC7 (CM-CNRGᵀ) was designated as the type strain. Based on the combined molecular and morphological evidence, this lineage is herein described as Clonostachys allendensis sp. nov. This study expands current knowledge of Clonostachys diversity in Mexico and contributes to the understanding of fungal diversity associated with agricultural residues.