The Good, the Bad, and the Fungus: Insights into the Relationship Between Plants, Fungi, and Oomycetes in Hydroponics

Hydroponic systems are examples of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and present a promising alternative to traditional farming methods by increasing productivity, profitability, and sustainability. In hydroponic systems, crops are grown in the absence of soil and thus lack the native soil mi...

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Main Authors: Grace C. S. Laevens, William C. Dolson, Michelle M. Drapeau, Soufiane Telhig, Sarah E. Ruffell, Danielle M. Rose, Bernard R. Glick, Ashley A. Stegelmeier
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/13/12/1014
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author Grace C. S. Laevens
William C. Dolson
Michelle M. Drapeau
Soufiane Telhig
Sarah E. Ruffell
Danielle M. Rose
Bernard R. Glick
Ashley A. Stegelmeier
author_facet Grace C. S. Laevens
William C. Dolson
Michelle M. Drapeau
Soufiane Telhig
Sarah E. Ruffell
Danielle M. Rose
Bernard R. Glick
Ashley A. Stegelmeier
author_sort Grace C. S. Laevens
collection DOAJ
description Hydroponic systems are examples of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and present a promising alternative to traditional farming methods by increasing productivity, profitability, and sustainability. In hydroponic systems, crops are grown in the absence of soil and thus lack the native soil microbial community. This review focuses on fungi and oomycetes, both beneficial and pathogenic, that can colonize crops and persist in hydroponic systems. The symptomatology and mechanisms of pathogenesis for <i>Botrytis</i>, <i>Colletotrichum</i>, <i>Fulvia</i>, <i>Fusarium</i>, <i>Phytophthora</i>, <i>Pythium</i>, and <i>Sclerotinia</i> are explored for phytopathogenic fungi that target floral organs, leaves, roots, and vasculature of economically important hydroponic crops. Additionally, this review thoroughly explores the use of plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) to combat phytopathogens and increase hydroponic crop productivity; details of PGP strategies and mechanisms are discussed. The benefits of <i>Aspergillus</i>, <i>Penicillium</i>, <i>Taloromyces</i>, and <i>Trichoderma</i> to hydroponics systems are explored in detail. The culmination of these areas of research serves to improve the current understanding of the role of beneficial and pathogenic fungi, specifically in the hydroponic microbiome.
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spelling doaj-art-ef2fa6e85cdd40b0ba0346e927bc9c962025-08-20T02:55:44ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372024-12-011312101410.3390/biology13121014The Good, the Bad, and the Fungus: Insights into the Relationship Between Plants, Fungi, and Oomycetes in HydroponicsGrace C. S. Laevens0William C. Dolson1Michelle M. Drapeau2Soufiane Telhig3Sarah E. Ruffell4Danielle M. Rose5Bernard R. Glick6Ashley A. Stegelmeier7Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, CanadaDepartment of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, CanadaDepartment of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, CanadaCeragen Inc., 151 Charles St W, Suite 199, Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6, CanadaDepartment of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, CanadaCeragen Inc., 151 Charles St W, Suite 199, Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6, CanadaDepartment of Biology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, CanadaCeragen Inc., 151 Charles St W, Suite 199, Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6, CanadaHydroponic systems are examples of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and present a promising alternative to traditional farming methods by increasing productivity, profitability, and sustainability. In hydroponic systems, crops are grown in the absence of soil and thus lack the native soil microbial community. This review focuses on fungi and oomycetes, both beneficial and pathogenic, that can colonize crops and persist in hydroponic systems. The symptomatology and mechanisms of pathogenesis for <i>Botrytis</i>, <i>Colletotrichum</i>, <i>Fulvia</i>, <i>Fusarium</i>, <i>Phytophthora</i>, <i>Pythium</i>, and <i>Sclerotinia</i> are explored for phytopathogenic fungi that target floral organs, leaves, roots, and vasculature of economically important hydroponic crops. Additionally, this review thoroughly explores the use of plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) to combat phytopathogens and increase hydroponic crop productivity; details of PGP strategies and mechanisms are discussed. The benefits of <i>Aspergillus</i>, <i>Penicillium</i>, <i>Taloromyces</i>, and <i>Trichoderma</i> to hydroponics systems are explored in detail. The culmination of these areas of research serves to improve the current understanding of the role of beneficial and pathogenic fungi, specifically in the hydroponic microbiome.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/13/12/1014hydroponicsfungifungal microbiomefood productionoomycetescontrolled environment agriculture
spellingShingle Grace C. S. Laevens
William C. Dolson
Michelle M. Drapeau
Soufiane Telhig
Sarah E. Ruffell
Danielle M. Rose
Bernard R. Glick
Ashley A. Stegelmeier
The Good, the Bad, and the Fungus: Insights into the Relationship Between Plants, Fungi, and Oomycetes in Hydroponics
Biology
hydroponics
fungi
fungal microbiome
food production
oomycetes
controlled environment agriculture
title The Good, the Bad, and the Fungus: Insights into the Relationship Between Plants, Fungi, and Oomycetes in Hydroponics
title_full The Good, the Bad, and the Fungus: Insights into the Relationship Between Plants, Fungi, and Oomycetes in Hydroponics
title_fullStr The Good, the Bad, and the Fungus: Insights into the Relationship Between Plants, Fungi, and Oomycetes in Hydroponics
title_full_unstemmed The Good, the Bad, and the Fungus: Insights into the Relationship Between Plants, Fungi, and Oomycetes in Hydroponics
title_short The Good, the Bad, and the Fungus: Insights into the Relationship Between Plants, Fungi, and Oomycetes in Hydroponics
title_sort good the bad and the fungus insights into the relationship between plants fungi and oomycetes in hydroponics
topic hydroponics
fungi
fungal microbiome
food production
oomycetes
controlled environment agriculture
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/13/12/1014
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