''Clonostachys rosea'' f. ''rosea'', also known as ''Gliocladium roseum'' and commonly called the rose bracket, is a species of

fungus A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one ...

in the family

Bionectriaceae The Bionectriaceae are a family of fungi in the order Hypocreales. A 2008 estimate places 35 genera and 281 species in the family. Species in the family tend to grow on plant material, including woody debris, while some species associate with alg ...

. It colonizes living plants as an

endophyte An endophyte is an endosymbiont, often a bacterium or fungus, that lives within a plant for at least part of its life cycle without causing apparent disease. Endophytes are ubiquitous and have been found in all species of plants studied to date; ...

, digests material in soil as a saprophyte and is also known as a

parasite Parasitism is a Symbiosis, close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives (at least some of the time) on or inside another organism, the Host (biology), host, causing it some harm, and is Adaptation, adapted str ...

of other fungi and of

nematodes The nematodes ( or ; ; ), roundworms or eelworms constitute the phylum Nematoda. Species in the phylum inhabit a broad range of environments. Most species are free-living, feeding on microorganisms, but many are parasitic. Parasitic worms (he ...

. It produces a wide range of

volatile organic compounds Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic compounds that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature. They are common and exist in a variety of settings and products, not limited to house mold, upholstered furniture, arts and crafts sup ...

which are toxic to organisms including other fungi, bacteria, and insects, and is of interest as a

biological pest control Biological control or biocontrol is a method of controlling pests, whether pest animals such as insects and mites, weeds, or pathogens affecting animals or plants by using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or ot ...

agent.

Biological control

''Clonostachys rosea'' protects plants against ''

Botrytis cinerea ''Botrytis cinerea'' is a necrotrophic fungus that affects many plant species, although its most notable hosts may be wine grapes. In viticulture, it is commonly known as "botrytis bunch rot"; in horticulture, it is usually called "grey mould" ...

'' ("grey mold") by suppressing

spore In biology, a spore is a unit of sexual reproduction, sexual (in fungi) or asexual reproduction that may be adapted for biological dispersal, dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavourable conditions. Spores fo ...

production. Its

hyphae A hypha (; ) is a long, branching, filamentous structure of a fungus, oomycete, or actinobacterium. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium. Structure A hypha consists of one o ...

have been found to coil around, penetrate, and grow inside the hyphae and

conidia A conidium ( ; : conidia), sometimes termed an asexual chlamydospore or chlamydoconidium (: chlamydoconidia), is an asexual, non- motile spore of a fungus. The word ''conidium'' comes from the Ancient Greek word for dust, ('). They are also ...

of ''B. cinerea''. Nematodes are infected by ''C. rosea'' when the fungus' conidia attach to their cuticle and germinate, going on to produce

germ tubes A germ tube is an outgrowth produced by spores of spore-releasing fungi during germination. The germ tube differentiates, grows, and develops by mitosis to create somatic hyphae.C.J. Alexopolous, Charles W. Mims, M. Blackwell, ''Introductory Myc ...

which penetrate the host's body and kill it.

Biofuels

In 2008 an isolate of ''Clonostachys rosea'' (NRRL 50072) was identified as producing a series of volatile compounds that are similar to some existing fuels, including diesel. However, the taxonomy of this isolate was later revised to ''

Ascocoryne sarcoides ''Ascocoryne sarcoides'' is a species of fungus in the family Helotiaceae. The species name is derived from the Greek (fleshy). Formerly known as ''Coryne sarcoides'', its Taxonomy (biology), taxonomical history has been complicated by the fac ...

''.

References

External links

Index Fungorum

USDA ARS Fungal Database
{{Authority control Fungal plant pathogens and diseases Fungi described in 1999 Bionectriaceae Anaerobic digestion Forma taxa

Biological control

Biofuels

See also

References

External links