Antagonism against soil nematodes and plant pathogens and test of oxide solubilization in a subtropical wood-decay mushroom

Plant stress through global warming may be counteracted by the application of tropical or subtropical organisms.Pleurotus pulmonariusis an edible mesophilic wood-decay mushroom which additionally can promote plant growth. The potential of alleviating plant stress has been tested in vitro in this study using a subtropical strain from Taiwan. The attraction and toxicity against the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegansproven here experimentally on a quantitative base indicate the potential to decrease the impact of plant-parasitic nematodes. A weak antifungal ability againstFusarium oxysporumandLasiodiplodia hormozganensiswas observed in vitro dual cultures. Through oxide (CaO and ZnO) solubilization byP. pulmonariusdemonstrated here, the fungus may influence chemico-physical soil properties. The combination of these capabilities ofP. pulmonariusmay provide opportunities for its prospect applications in agriculture to alleviate biotic and abiotic stress conditions and enhance plant growth in the future.