High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a widely used organic polymer and an emerging pollutant, because it is very stable and nonbiodegradable. Several fungal species that produce delignifying enzymes are known to be promising degraders of recalcitrant polymers, but research on the decomposition of plastics is scarce. In this study, white rot fungus, Bjerkandera adusta TBB-03, was isolated and characterized for its ability to degrade HDPE under lignocellulose substrate treatment. Ash (Fraxinus rhynchophylla) wood chips were found to stimulate laccase production (activity was > 210 U/L after 10 days of cultivation), and subsequently used for HDPE degradation assay. After 90 days, cracks formed on the surface of HDPE samples treated with TBB-03 and ash wood chips in both liquid and solid states. Raman analysis showed that the amorphous structure of HDPE was degraded by enzymes produced by TBB-03. Overall, TBB-03 is a promising resource for the biodegradation of HDPE, and this work sheds light on further applications for fungus-based plastic degradation systems.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form a vital symbiotic relationship with plants. Through their extensive hyphal networks, AMF extend the absorptive capacity of plant roots, thereby allowing plants to reach otherwise inaccessible micronutrient sources. Iron, a critical micronutrient involved in photosynthesis and other metabolic processes, often becomes inaccessible owing to its tendency to form insoluble complexes in soil. AMF symbiosis significantly ameliorates this challenge by enhancing iron uptake and homeostasis in plants, altering root architecture, and producing root exudates that improve iron solubility. Moreover, the interaction with diverse soil bacteria, particularly plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, can potentiate the benefits of AMF symbiosis. Siderophores are low-molecular-weight chelators with iron-binding capacities produced by various microorganisms and plant roots. They play pivotal roles in regulating intracellular iron and have been identified in different mycorrhizal associations, including AMF. While molecular mechanisms behind AMF-mediated iron uptake have been partially explored, the intricate networks involving AMF, plants, siderophores, and other soil microbiota are largely unknown. This review focuses on the multifaceted roles of AMF in plant–iron homeostasis, interactions with soil bacteria, and the potential of siderophores in these processes, emphasizing the possibilities for harnessing these relationships for sustainable agriculture and enhancing plant productivity.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are critical for soil ecosystem services as they enhance plant growth and soil quality via nutrient cycling and carbon storage. Considering the growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices, this study investigated the effects of conventional and organic farming practices on AMF diversity, abundance, and ecological functions in maize, pepper, and potato-cultivated soils. Using next-generation sequencing and quantitative PCR, we assessed AMF diversity and abundance in addition to soil health indicators such as phosphorus content, total nitrogen, and soil organic carbon. Our findings revealed that, while no significant differences in soil physicochemical parameters or AMF diversity were observed across farming systems when all crop data were combined, organic farming significantly enhances AMF abundance and fosters beneficial microbial ecosystems. These ecosystems play vital roles in nutrient cycling and carbon storage, underscoring the importance of organic practices in promoting robust AMF communities that support ecosystem services. This study not only deepens our understanding of AMF's ecological roles but also highlights the potential of organic farming to leverage these benefits for improving sustainability in agricultural practices.

The presence of pharmaceutical products has raised emerging biorisks in aquatic environments. Fungi have been considered in sustainable approaches for the degradation of pharmaceutical compounds from aquatic environments. Soft rot fungi of the Ascomycota phylum are the most widely distributed among fungi, but their ability to biodegrade pharmaceuticals has not been studied as much as that of white rot fungi of the Basidiomycota phylum. Herein, we evaluated the capacity of the soft rot fungus Neopestalotiopsis sp. B2B to degrade pharmaceuticals under treatment of woody and nonwoody lignocellulosic biomasses. Nonwoody rice straw induced laccase activity fivefold compared with that in YSM medium containing polysaccharide. But B2B preferentially degraded polysaccharide over lignin regions in woody sources, leading to high concentrations of sugar. Hence, intermediate products from saccharification may inhibit laccase activity and thereby halt the biodegradation of pharmaceutical compounds. These results provide fundamental insights into the unique characteristics of pharmaceutical degradation by soft rot fungus Neopestalotiopsis sp. in the presence of preferred substrates during delignification.