B.Agr.Sc. Yezin Agricultural University, Yezin, Myanmar (1995-2000)
M.Ar.Sc. student, Department of Plant Pathology, Yezin Agricultural
University, Yezin, Myanmar (2000-2003)
Ph.D candidate. Department of Agronomy, Maejo University, Sansai, Chiang Mai, Thailand (2004-2007) Address Mushroom Research Centre
128 Moo3, Ban Phadeng, T. Papae, A. Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai, Thailand (2004 - 2007)
Po Po is a Myanmar (Burmese) and graduated bachelor and master degree from Yezin Agricultural University, Myanmar in a specialization of Plant Nematology. The title of her master’s thesis was ‘Survey of plant parasitic nematodes on some economic crops in Myanmar and study of rice root-rot nematode, Hirschmanniella oryzae L. Goodey’.
Currently she is a Ph.D student studying at Mae Jo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The subject of her current study is the anthracnose disease found on chilli peppers under the supervision of Dr. Kevin D. Hyde, Dr. .Paul Taylor and Dr. Siriporn Pongsupasamit.
Her project will last for approximately 3 years, and expected to be completed at the end of 2007.
Research background Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit production is an important industry in many Asian countries, particularly Thailand. Various diseases affect the growing and post harvest of chilli crops. Among them, anthracnose, which is caused by Colletotrichum species, is a major post harvest disease of chilli fruit and has caused over 50 % of chilli fruits losses in Thailand. Anthracnose of chilli has been shown to be caused by at least four species of Colletotrichum: C. capsici (Syd.) Butler & Bisby and C. gloeosporioides (Penz) Penz. & Sacc. in India (Sharma et al., 2005), Indonesia (Voorrips et al., 2004), Korea (Kim et al., 1999), Thailand (Pakdeevaraporn et al., 2005); C. acutatum (Simmonds) in Australia (Simmonds, 1965),Indonesia (Nirenberg et al., 2002); and C. coccodes (Wallr.) S. Hughes in New Zealand (Johnston & Jones, 1997). However little is known about the interaction of Colletotrichum species associated with infection of chilli anthracnose. On the other hand, accurate taxonomic identification is necessary for plant breeding purposes and disease management.
Objectives of research To determine the incidence of Colletotrichum species infecting Capsicum species (in particular chilli) in northern Thailand.
To validate the taxonomy of the isolates by morphological character and sequencing based on r DNA ITS region and ß-tubulin gene.
To assess pathogenicity of Colletotrichum isolates on a range of chilli lines including resistant C. chinense and susceptible C. annuum genotypes. The bioassay will consist of inoculating seeds, pre-flowering plants grown in the glasshouse and freshly harvested chilli fruits.
To study the host response and infection to mixed inoculations of Colletotrichum sp. on chilli fruits.
Identify the genetic diversity of these isolates using various molecular marker techniques (STMS –Sequence Tagged Microsatellite Site).
Publication Than P P, Rajesh J, Hyde K D, Pongsupasamit S, Mongkolporn O and Taylor P W J. (2007) Characterization and pathogenecity of Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose infection on chilli. Plant Pathology (Submitted).
TRAINING PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS Participant in 'Crop Protection in the Tropics with emphasis on IPM' held at Yezin Agricultural University, Myanmar (7-26 July, 2002) By Dr. Heinrich Lehmann Danzinger, from University- Gottingen, Federal Republic of Germany.
Participant in 'Advanced Phytonematology and biological system management' held at Yezin Agricultural University (28 February-6 March 2002 ) By Prof. Richard A. Sikora and Dr. John Hallmann (Soil- Ecosystem-Pathology & Nematology, Bonn university, Germany) and Dr. John Bridge (Tropical Plant Nematology Advisor, CABI- Bioscience Center, United Kingdom).
Participant in 'Workshop in mycological taxonomy' of Mushroom research center, Chiang Mai, Thailand (9-22 August 2004) By Dr Kevin D. Hyde (Associate Professor in The University of Hong Kong).
Participant in 'Asia-Pacific Mycological Conference’, Chiang Mai, Thailand, (15-19 November 2004) held at Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Presenter in Maejo University Annual Conference, Chiang Mai, Thailand (25-26 May) Presented Paper: Molecular and morphological characterisation of Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose in chilli (Capsicum annuum).
Presenter in 'Workshop in mycological taxonomy' of Mushroom research center, Chiang Mai, Thailand (10-19 July 2006) By Dr Kevin D. Hyde (Associate Professor in The University of Hong Kong). Presented subject: Taxonomy of anamorphic fungi.
Poster presenter in ‘Annual Meeting of Thai Mycological Association (TMA) And Mycological Conference in Thailand’ (28-29 October 2006) held at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Bangkok, Thailand. Presented poster: Pathogenicity and phylogeny of Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose on chilli.
Training for skill development in molecular marker approaches for studying genetic diversity and population structure of C. acutatum, a major cause of anthracnose of chilli peppers in Department of Land and Food Resources. The University of Melbourne. Australia (26March – 17June 2007)
Background: Iman Hidayat is an Indonesian student in Chiang Mai University. He accomplished his education for B.Sc degree in Department of Biology, Padjadjaran University, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. His B.Sc thesis is about biodegradation of pesticides using Bacillus species strains.
After getting B.Sc, in February 2002, He worked at Indonesian Institutes of Sciences (LIPI) from 2002-2005. He is studying in Thailand for reaching his ambition to be Taxonomist in fungi. Now, He is studying for Doctoral degree under supervision of Dr. Kevin D. Hyde, Dr. Chaiwat To-Anun, and Dr. Eric McKenzie. His thesis title is ‘Fungi on Palms: Biodiversity, Taxonomy and Ecological Perspectives'. The research is going to carry out from August 2005-2008.
Research Rationale: Recently, habitat destruction and species extinction rates accelerate almost in all ecosystems throughout the world. Therefore, biodiversity management is crucial yet there is little information about its amount and distribution. Wilson (1988) and Colwell et.al (1995) noted that biological diversity must be treated more seriously as a global resource, to be indexed, used, and above all, preserved. Management of microbial diversity is a serious task due to microbial diversity is a source and foundation for biotechnology, including biocontrol in pest management, biotreatment for environmental degradation and pollution, new product discovery, and genetic manipulation for new commercial products, etc. Therefore, we need to collect, identify, name, and maintain these before disappear.
Biodiversity assessment is one of the crucial parts in the management of microbial diversity, particularly fungal diversity, that urgently to resolve. The obstacles encountered in assessment include the difficulties in estimating numbers (Hawksworth, 1991). The question of how many fungi there are has been raised for many years (Bisby & Ainsworth, 1943; Martin, 1951; Ainsworth, 1968) and the problem of estimation of numbers is needed to recognize (Hammond, 1995; Harper & Hawksworth, 1995; May, 1995; O'Donnel, Goodfellow & Hawksworth, 1995).
Hawksworth (1991) estimated that only about 5 to 20% of the fungi have been discovered and described, and also he reported about 1.5 million species of fungi as a working estimate the 69,000 described fungal species represent less than 51% of extant species for fungi. The estimate of 1.5 million was disputed by May (1991, 1995) who argues that the biodiversity of fungi could well be as low as a few hundred thousand species; but Hyde & Hawksworth (1997) believed these low estimate to be due to a lack of familiarity with fungal distribution and host specificity.
Rossman (1997) noted the need for all-taxa biodiversity inventory of fungi and suggested two concepts to resolve the biodiversity assessment obstacles. The first concept to be tested as part of an all-taxa biodiversity inventory fungi is the ratio of vascular plants to fungi. She also noted that this ratio has provided the basis for much of the discussion about the actual number of species of fungi that exist, however, at present mycologist have little data on which to base estimates of the total numbers of fungal species; the ratio of vascular plants to fungi provides one of the best measures. The second concept to be tested is that of the indicator species but this concept is still hesitant due to many factors affected the concept and still unanswered e.g. roles of indicator species in the ecosystem and the lack of our knowledge of fungi particularly in tropics.
Hyde & Hawksworth (1997) figured out three concepts in measuring and monitoring biodiversity of microfungi is that rapid biodiversity assessment, indicator groups, and target groups. In the paper, they proposed microhabitat predictors concept to measure species richness of fungi, and Hyde (1995) suggests that microhabitats such as palms, Graminae (e.g. bamboo), Zingiberaceae (e.g. Alpinia ), or assorted leaf litter, may be possible habitats worth analyzing for future use in biodiversity analysis within tropical environments and also he figured out the other possible microhabitats in a rainforest environment such as soil, dung, mycorrhizas, fungi on animals, etc.. Hyde et.al (1997) reported ca 1580 fungi – including 650 ascomycetes, 270 basidiomycetes, and 660 deuteromycetes – had been described as new species recorded from palm hosts until 1994 and Whitton (1999) reported 225 species of fungi – 76 ascomycetes, 149 deuteromycetes – found on Pandanaceae.
Considering the concept of microhabitat predictors and the richness of fungal species on palm; and also the history of palms, Palmae are the ancient woody monocotyledons comprising ca 2800 species and found throughout the humid tropics and subtropics (Jones, 1984) and have a great morphological diversity that proved an excellent habitat for fungi, I have been choosing the palms as a host in the research of fungi: biodiversity, taxonomy, and ecological perspectives.
Scope of Research Four Classes including ascomycetes and basidiomycetes (teleomorphic fungi), and coelomycetes and hyphomycetes (anamorphic fungi) will be observed for assessing the biodiversity and species richness microfungi on palms in Northern Thailand and West Java, Indonesia.
For assessing the biodiversity of microfungi on palms in the research based on the ecological concepts, I divided the microfungi on palms into three groups is that saprophytic, pathogenic, and endophytic fungi.
Taxonomy studies of microfungi on palms will be undertaken by observing and analyzing the morphological characters of microfungi and molecular phylogenetic analysis method.
Research Objectives
To survey biodiversity of saprophytic and pathogenic fungi on palms in northern Thailand and Indonesia.
To survey host specificity and tissue specificity of fungi on palms.
To survey the amount of fungi can occur on single host palm and taxonomic composition of fungi on single host palm.
Research Progress During August to September 2005, three species of palms is that Cocos nucifera (Bahn phae daeng), Wallichia siamensis (Doi suthep), and Corypha sp. (Doi inthanon) have been collected.
60 species of fungi have been founded from the palms including:
B.Ag. Institute of Agriculture, Yezin, Union of Myanmar (1985)
M.Agr.Sc. (Entomology), Yezin Agriculture University, Yezin, Union of Myanmar (2003)
Ph. D. candidate, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand
Address
Mushroom Research Center
128 Moo3, Bahn Pa Dheng
T. Pa Pae, A. Mae Taeng, Chaing Mai 50150, Thailand
Research title: Biodiversity and molecular phylogeny of entomopathogenic fungi in northern Thailand Advisory committee: Dr. Kasem Soytong (Advisor)
Dr. Kevin D. Hyde (Co-Advisor) Several genera of arthropod associated necrotrophic fungi (eg; Cordyceps) mostly attack species of Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Orthoptera. Highly specialized members of biotrophic parasites such as Ascomycota, Zygomycota, and Basidiomycota attack insects and other arthropods. Trichomycetes, obligate gut parasites, are associated with mandibulate arthropods that are detritivores, algivores, or omnivores. Laboulbeniales is a distinctive group of obligately biotrophic parasitic ascomycetes that lack a mycelium. They live on a diverse group of arthropods especially on Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Diptera, Heteroptera, Hymenopera, Isoptera, Mallophaga, Orthoptera, and Thysanoptera. In Thailand, invertebrate fungi have been studied since the early 1990's and more than 400 morphotaxa have been recorded. However some have not been named to species level. In this project, biodiversity and molecular phylogeny of entomopathogenic fungi will be studied from October 2005 to September 2008. The project site will be based on the Mushroom Research Centre, Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.
Research objectives 1. To improve our understanding of relationships between fungi and their arthropod hosts.
2. To survey arthopods in northern Thailand and descibe the fungi associated with these hosts.
3. To investigate the biodiversity of arthropods associated fungi in northern Thailand and establish a collection of isolates.
4. To validate the taxonomy of the isolates and described collections and new species.
5. To establish the phylogenetic relationships of these isolates.
Expected Outcomes 1. A better understanding of the relationships between fungi and their arthropod hosts will be established.
2. The biodiversity of arthropod associated fungi in northern Thailand will be described and a collection of isolates established.
3. The taxonomy of the isolates will be validated and new organsisms described as new species.
4. The phylogenetic relationships of isolates will be established.
Publications Aung, O.M., Kang, J.C., Liang, Z.Q., Soytong, K. and Hyde, K.D. (2006). Cordyceps mrciensis sp nov from a spider in Thailand. Mycotaxon 97:235-240.
Aung, O.M., Kang, J.C., Liang, Z.Q., Soytong, K. and Hyde, K.D. (2006). A new entomopathogenic species, Hymenostilbe furcata, parasitic on a hemipteran nymph in northern Thailand. Mycotaxon 97:241-245.
MSc. in Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University (June 2003 – Oct.2005) Thesis Title: Effect of Greening Disease on Different Citrus Cultivars and Suitable Rootstocks for Shogun Citrus Plantation in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province.
BSc. in Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University (May 1999 – March 2003) Special Problem Title: Production of virus-free Rosa chinensis var. Rose Windows and R. chinensis var. Mini Pearl.
Thesis title:Fungal diversity on Eucalyptus sp. in Australia, China, New Zealand and Thailand with emphasis on community adaptations in Thailand.
She studies under the supervision of Dr. Chaiwat Toanan1, Dr. Kevin D. Hyde2 and Dr Eric McKenzie3.
1 Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural, Chiang Mai Univeersity, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
2 Centre for Research in fungal, Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
3 Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand
Introduction Eucalyptus spp. (Family Myrtaceae) has more than 700 species of Eucalyptus, mostly native to Australia, with a very small number found in adjacent parts of New Guinea and Indonesia and one as far away as the Philippines. Eucalyptus can be found in almost every part of the continent and has adapted to all of Australia's climatic conditions. It now grows in almost all tropical and subtropical areas and is cultivated in many other climates and are of major economic, social and environmental importance to the Southeast Asian region, and Thailand in particular (Krisna, 2000)
Fifteen Eucalyptus species have been imported from Australia and planted as a first introduction of many species in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand since 1950, but many experiments confirmed that only Eucalyptus camaldurensis and E. urophylla are suitable species for planting in many parts of Thailand. The trees can provide many uses, such as charcoal, pulp and furniture production. Present plantation areas of E. camaldulensis in Thailand are around 2,500,000 Rai, and this is increasing every year because of high demand. Major losses due to fungal pathogens have occurred where E. camaldulensis was grown in uniform and genetically susceptible stands in all growth stages. The most significant diseases in the plantations are leaf and shoot blight caused by Cryptosporiopsis eucalypti. The major disease of E. camaldulensis in Vietnam is different from Thailand the latter with Cylindrocladium quinqueseptatum being the virulent pathogen on the same source eucalyptus. This case can show that we can found different virulent pathogens in different location on the same host, although in closed location. So if we study on fungi that can grow on eucalyptus in Thailand and Australia that is the origin place, we can found the different of fungi and know how many fungi can adapt to grow on this tree and their adaptation process in Thailand.
Research objectives 1. To study the biodiversity of fungi occurring on Eucalyptus camaldurensis in Thailand.
2. To study the fungi associated with leaf disease in Eucalyptus sp. in Thailand, China, Australia and New Zealand.
3. To study the phenotypic variation in Cryptosporiopsis eucalypt isolated from Eucalyptus sp. in Thailand, China, Australia and New Zealand.
4. To study the pathogenicity of Cryptosporiopsis eucalypti from different geographical region on Eucalyptus camaldurensis in Thailand.
5. To study the genotypic diversity of Cryptosporiopsis eucalypti from Eucalyptus sp. in Thailand, China, Australia and New Zealand
Ph. D. student, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand
M.Sc of Science in Forestry (Forest pathology), Southwest Forestry College, Kunning, Yunnan, P. R. China
B.Sc of Science in Forestry (Forest Conservation), Southwest Forestry College, Kunning, Yunnan, P.R.China Address Mushroom Research Center,128 Moo3, Bahn Pa Dheng, T. Pa Pae, A. MaeTaeng, Chaing Mai 50150, Thailand
Ruilin Zhao is a girl from Kunming, Yunnan Province, PR China. She got her bachelor degree in China based on the research of Identification of Higher Microfungi in Daweishang Natural Reserve. The she chased her master degree in the same university and carried out the project of the systematical taxonomy of the genus of Cyathus by morphological and DNA molecular marked methods in China.
Now she is a Ph. D. student in Biotechnology in Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand, under the supervision of Dr. Kasem Soytong (KMITL, Thailand), Dr. Kevin D. Hyde (The University of Hong Kong) and Dr. Dennis Desjardin (San Francisco State University, USA), and the title of her thesis: "Systematic Study of the Genus of Agaricus in Thailand and Development of a Method for Cultivating in warm climates".
Research Objectives The monograph of the genus Cyathus (Bird’s nest fungi) in the world.
The monograph of the genus Agaricus in the northern Thailand.
The monograph of the genus Micropsalliota in the northern Thailand.
The molecular phologenetics of the genus Cyathus, Agaricus and Micropsalliota based on rDNA sequences.
Pubilications
Zhao, R.L., Zhao, G.C.. 2003. Six Hidden Pathogans on Tropical Crops in Yunnan.
Journal of Yunnan Tropical Crops Science and Technology. 26(3):5-9
Zhao, R.L., Yang Y.M. and Zhao G.C..2004. Psuedolachnella vermospora sp. nov. from Yushania vigens in China. Fungal Diversity. 15:255-260. SCI
Zhao, R.L. 2004. The application of RAPD Molecular marker in fungal research. Journal of Tropical Crops Science and Technology. 27: 3-6.
Zhao, R.L., Zhou T. X., Wang Y.Y., Yang Y. , Kasem Soytong and Kevin D Hyde. 2004. Application of RAPD Analysis in Species Classification of Cyathus. Preceeding of 1st KMITL International Conference of Science and Technology for Sustainable Development 2:30-36.
Zhou, T.X., Zhao L.Z., Zhao, R.L. and Chen Y.H. 2004. The Notes on the Bird’s Nest Fungi from China. Fungal Diversity. 17: 243-251. SCI
Rui-Lin Zhao, Dennis E. Desjardin, Kasem Soytong & Kevin D. Hyde. 2006. Proposed Synonyms in Cyathus. Mycotaxon 97: 327-335. SCI
Rui-Lin Zhao, Rajesh Jeewon, Dennis E. Desjardin, Kasem Soytong & Kevin D. Hyde. 2007. Ribosomal DNA phylogenies of Cyathus: Is the current infrageneric classification appropriate? Accepted by Mycologia. SCI
Rui-Lin Zhao, Dennis E. Desjardin, Kasem Soytong & Kevin D. Hyde. Cyathus subglobisporus sp. nov. from the northern Thailand based on morphological and molecular data. In prepare.
Grands
The EASIANET (The East Asian Network for Taxonomic Capacity Buildiny---- A subregional Technical Cooperation Network for taxonomic capacity building) scholarship for my studies towards a Ph D through Mushroom Research Centre, Thailand.
The traveling grand from British Mycological Society for 8th international mycological congress, Cairns, Australia, 2006
Academic activities Participated the 1st KMITL international Conference on Integration of Science & Technology for Sustainable Development held at KMITL, Bangkok, Thailand during 25-26 August 2004, with an oral presentation entitled Application of RAPD Analysis in Species Classification of Cyathus.
Participated The IV Asia-Pacific Mycological Congress & The IX International Marine and Freshwater Mycology Symposium held in Chiang Mai, Thailand during 14-19 November 2004, and submitted paper entitled Four new species of Cladosporium hyperparasitic on other fungi from China.
Got training on molecular phylogenetics of fungi at Hong Kong University during December 2004 to June 2005.
Participated the GBIF & EASIANET workshop: Proposed Collection/Names/Images digitization held at The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong during 14-19 March 2005.
Organized and participated the 1st EASIANET Workshop: The Importance of Taxonomy to Plant Quarantine, Chiang Mai, Thailand during 14-23 November, 2005.
Molecular phylogenetics research at Hong Kong University during 18 Jan to 18 May 2006.
Attended the 8th International Mycological Conference, 21-26 August, 2006, Cairns, Queensland, Australia with poster presentation entitled “Ribosomal DNA phylogenies of Cyathus: Is the current infrageneric classification appropriate?”.
Attended the Annual Meeting of Thai Mycological Association and Mycological Conference hold in Bangkok, Thailand during 28-29 October 2006 as oral presentation and co-chair.
Organized the 2nd EASIANET Workshop: The Importance of Taxonomy to Plant Quarantine, Chiang Mai, Thailand during 6-14 November, 2006.
Attended 2nd KMITL international Conference on Integration of Science & Technology for Sustainable Development held at KMITL, Bangkok, Thailand during 27-28 April 2007, with an oral presentation entitled Cyathus subglobisporus sp. nov. from the northern Thailand based on morphological and molecular data and co-chair.
B.Sc. Biology department, Mathematics and Science Faculty, Jember University, East Java, Indonesia (2003).
Research Staf, Microbiology division, Research Centre for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Bogor, West Java, Indonesia (2005-now).
Ph. D. candidate, Plant Pathology department, Agriculture Faculty, ChiangMai University, ChiangMai, Thailand (2006-2009). Address
Mushroom Research Center
128 Moo3, Bahn Pa Dheng , T. Pa Pae, A. Mae Taen, Chaing Mai 50150, Thailand
Research title: World Monograph of Ascomycetes Genus Guignardia Advisory committee: Dr. Chaiwat to Annun (Advisor)
Dr. Kevin D. Hyde (Co-Advisor)
Prof. Dr. Pedro W. Crous (Co-Advisor)
Guignardiapreviously found in citrus black spot, caused by Guignardia citricarpa (anamorph: Phyllosticta citricarpa). These fungus was recorded from numerous hosts of different part of the world. Two species was involved as endophytics and parasitic fungi. That one ascribe as Guignardia mangiferae with a wide host range. Fungal species is possible being introduce to other countries because of the inconspicuous endophytic growth in the plant tissue makes them difficult to detect by visual inspection. The identification till now is strongly host-based. Guignardia/Phyllosticta are specious genera including pathogenic fungi whose classification is primarily based on few morphological characters. Insufficient morphologies, physiological specialization, cultural variation and overlapping host ranges cause problems to plant pathologist in species identification. Previous rDNA sequence data have been inadequate to resolve species and generic relationships. To date, their taxonomy, especially species that occur as economically important plant pathogens, remains equivocal and poorly understood. In this project monograph based on morphological character and phylogenetic relationship of Guignardia/phyllosticta will be studied from 2006-2009. The project site will be held on the Mushroom Research Centre, Chiang Mai, Hongkong University, Hongkong and Centraalbureau voor Schimelcultures, Uthrech, Netherland.
Research objectives 1. To re-examine all Guignardia species and where necessary designate a living epitype for important pathogens and generic types.
2. To investigate the evolutionary relationships of Guignardia/Phyllosticta based on a multigene phylogenetic approach.
3. To assess the mode of evolution of several genes and the phylogenetic significance of specific morphological characters at generic, species and below species level.
4. To locate a specific gene sequence that can be used to distinguish between species in the genera.
Expected Outcomes
1. Guignardia species classification based on morphological character can establish.
2. The evolutionary relationship of Gignardia/Phyllosticta by multigene phyllogenetic approach can resolved.
3. The correlation between phyllogenetics and morphological character at generic, species and below species can resolved.
4. Specific gene can be used to distinguish between species of Guignardia genera.
Publication Wulandari, Nilam. F.(2006). Three New Species of Corynespora from Indonesia. Mycotaxon 97: 21-27.
Research title: Biodiversity of Freshwater Fungi in Paoay Lake, the Philippines and Mushroom Research Centre Lake, Thailand.
Advisory committee: Dr. Chaiwat To- Anun (Advisor)
Dr. Prasartporn Smitana (Adviser)
Dr. Kevin D. Hyde (Co-Advisor)
Mycology is the study of fungi, the vast assemblage of microorganisms which includes such microfungi, as molds, yeast, and mushrooms. All microorganisms in one-way or another might be influenced by fungi. Consider further the importance of fungi in the decomposition of wastes and potential hazards of fungi as pathogens to plants and to humans. Yet, fungi are ubiquitous and important. Mycologists study fungi either in nature or in the laboratory and at different experimental levels ranging from descriptive to molecular and from basic to applied.
Philippines is in Southeast Asia, between the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea and is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. There are numerous peninsulas, as well as valleys, lakes and regions of dense forest and swamps. Several studies on the diversity of freshwater fungi on submerged wood have been carried out in temperate (Shearer, 1993; Kane et al., 2002), tropical (Sivichai et al., 2002) and subtropical regions (Hyde et al., 1998). Different ecological habitats have also been investigated. Although there have been many biodiversity studies in the aquatic environment, terrestrial environments have still received far more attention. Freshwater fungi are generally defined as any species, which for the whole or part of their life cycle, rely on free water (Thomas, 1996). So, freshwater fungi are a cosmopolitan and diverse group, which include zoosporic fungi, zygomycetes, ascomycetes, hyphomycetes, coelomycetes, and basidiomycetes. They also play an important role in the freshwater ecosystem. Freshwater fungi have the ability to decompose organic materials and play an important role in nutrient cycling in freshwater ecosystem (Chamier, 1985; Wong et al,. 1998; Abdel-Raheem and Shearer, 2002).
This study will focus mainly on the wood samples collected from Paoay Lake, Philippines and MRC Lake, Thailand. Wood or bamboo samples that have been submerged for several months will be collected from both lakes. The existing fungi on the samples collected will be investigated. This project is important to understand the biodiversity of freshwater fungi and to look at the biodiversity of hotspots throughout Philippines before habitats disappear. There is presently nobody working on freshwater fungi at Paoay Lake and even most areas in the Philippines are barely studied for fungi.
In this regards, the study of morphological and taxonomic characteristics, species description and geographical distribution patterns, and biodiversity of freshwater fungi are needed.
Research objectives 1. To find out the biodiversity of freshwater fungi in Paoay Lake and Mushroom Research Centre Lake
2. To provide data on the geographical distribution of freshwater fungi by comparing the fungal communities in Paoay Lake and MRC Lake and other freshwater bodies
3. To possibly provide some of the gaps of knowledge on the ecology and role of freshwater fungi
4. To described the taxonomy of the isolates and to described collections
5. To discover new species of freshwater fungi
Expected Outcomes 1. To establish the biodiversity of freshwater fungi in Paoay Lake and MRC Lake.
2. To establish knowledge on the ecology and role of freshwater fungi.
3. To discover new species of freshwater fungi.
Thida Win Ko Ko is a Myanmar student studying at Chiang Mai University and doing research at Mushroom Research Centre. She got her Bachelor degree and Master degree in Agricultural Entomology from Yezin Agricultural University. After graduate she worked at Recipe and Research Section, Rubber Plantation and Latex Production Division, Myanmar for one year. She is currently doing Doctoral course (July 2006–July 2009) under the supervision of Dr. Steven L. Stephenson, Dr. Kevin D. Hyde and Dr. Saisamorn Lumyong. Her thesis title is “Distribution and Ecology of Myxomycetes in Asia with emphasize on Thailand”.
Research Projects The myxomycetes are a small group of fungus-like organisms,with approximately 875 species described worldwide(Lado,2001), and these have been placed in six taxonomic orders. They appear to be particularly abundant in temperate forests, but at least some species apparently occur in any terrestrial ecosystem with plants (and thus plant detritus) present (Stephenson & Stempen 1994). The myxomycetes associated with coarse woody debris are relatively well known and that associated with such microhabitats as the bark surface of living trees and forest floor litter are much less known (Stephenson 2003). Our understanding of the biodiversity and ecology of myxomycetes on other microhabitats, and that occur in the Thailand as a whole however is still scare. Furthermore the molecular technique to determine the occurrence of myxomycetes in habitats when their fruiting bodies are not in evidence would be a worthwhile necessity.
Research Objectives The goal of current research is directed:
1. To investigate the affect of seasonality on myxomycetes occurrence in northern Thailand
2. To study the ecology of myxomycetes on lianas in Chiang Mai
3. To compare the assemblages of myxomycetes present on living and dead lianas, and forest floor litter and aerial litter
4. To analyze the biogeographical distribution of myxomycetes in northern Thailand, southern Thailand and Philippines
5. To determine the occurrence of myxomycetes in habitats by using molecular technique
Reference:
Lado, C. 2001. Nomenmyx. A Nomenclatural Taxabase of Myxomycetes. Cuad. Trab. Fl. Micol. Ibér. 16:1-221.
Stephenson, S.L. 2003. Myxomycetes of New Zealand. Fungal diversity Research Series 11:1-238.
Stephenson, S.L. and Stempen, H. 1994. Myxomycetes A Handbook of Slime Molds. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.
Background:
Pheng Phengsintham is a Laos student in Mushroom Research centre, Papae, Chiang Mai, Thailand. He completed his schooling in Samneua district, Houa Phanh province. He obtained his B.Sc and M. Sc in biology from Biology Department, Modova University (Modova state at the present) of the Former’s Soviet Union in 1984. He has been teaching at Pedagogical Institute of Vientiane, Laos (National University of Laos at the present) since 1984.
He participated in training courses such as:
1. Telemorph\Anamorph relationships; Using a taxonomy library; Hyphomycetes; Molecular systematic; Isolation and preservation of fungi. Mushroom Research Centre, Papae Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2004.
2. Taxonomic studies on Microfungi (Ascomycetes and Hyphomycetes). The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, April to May 2003.
3. Genetic transformation, Plant tissue and cell culture, Environmental microbiology, microbial diversity, Food conservation and extraction techniques of secondary products. Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam, 2002.
4. Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources, Germany, September to October 1999.
5. Biotechnology applied to Agriculture. Belgium. April to July 1998.
He has been studying at the Mushroom Research centre, Papae, Chiang Mai, Thailand since 2006, and will be applied for Doctoral degree in fungal diversity, under the supervision of Prof. Kevin D. Hyde.
Beside the teaching activities, Mr. Pheng participated in many research projects such as: From 1985 to date: Local consultant in forestry and Biodiversity, Perform varies projects in forest inventory, forest development or Biodiversity conservation to different local and international agencies including: Eco-Lao, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Lao-German forestry Team (GTZ), The Word Conservation Union (IUCN), Lameyer-Worley International, The World Wide for Nature (WWF), STS consultant, Lao Consulting Group, ADB and other projects.
Research Topic:
Taxonomic studies on Cercospora and Allied genera in Northern and Central parts of Laos.
Research Objectives:
1. To study Cercospora and allied genera in the northern and central parts of Laos in order to establish the ecology and diversity of fungi.
2. To survey the plant pathogens of wild and cultivated plants to establish diversity of fungi.
3. To isolate single spores for DNA sequencing
Significance of the study
1. Knowledge of the fungal communities on living leaves of plants in Laos.
2. High possibility of discovery of new species of fungi on Cercospora and allied genera.
3. Discovery of influences of different hosts on fungal diversity and understanding of fungal number variation in different periods of time.
4. Host-specificity and differences between fungal communities in tropics and temperate forests will be done.
Publications:
Phengsintham, P. and Hyde, K.D. (2003). Check list of Laos fungi. Building Capacity in Biodiversity Information Sharing 2003. Ksukuba Japan. P. 184-190.
Phengsintham, P. and Hyde, K.D. (2003). Fungi of Laos I: Ascomycetes from Palms. Building Capacity in Biodiversity Information Sharing 2003. Ksukuba Japan. P. 174-183.
Phengsintham, P. and Bounphany, S. (2002). Botany. National University of Laos.
Background:
Phoegeun Sysouphanthong is a Laos’s student. He will start his Master study at Mae Fah Luang University in October 2007. He obtained his B.Sc. in Agriculture from National University of Laos. His B.Sc. special project was on cultivation on organic Lettuce (Lactuca stiva L.). After getting his BSc he was training on Organic Farm Management and Microbial Biotechnology in Agriculture during March - June 2006 and July - August 2006 respectively under instruction of ASSOC under instruction of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kasem Soytong at the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Thailand. He left Laos to Thailand to complement her ambition to obtain a Master and Doctoral degree in fungal diversity under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Kevin D. Hyde, Dr. Else C. Velinga and Dr. Sutheera Thongkantha. His thesis title is “Biodiversity of genus Lepiota and Leucoagaricus (Fungi, Basidiomycota) from northern Thailand and middle part of Laos”.
Research Training
Diversity of Mushroom in tea (Camellia sinensis) forest in Pha Deng Village, Mae Tang, Chiang Mai
During March through to April 2007 northern Thailand was extremely dry and forest fires were rampant. This resulted in some of the worst air quality ever in Chiang Mai Province and caused severe health problems. Much was written in newspapers on the subject and there was extensive government activity. However with climate change the problem is like to get worse and therefore the only way to prevent the problem reoccurring is to develop forests in a sustainable and profitable way so that native people protect the forests from fires. Tea (Camellia sinensis) is an important economic plant, and tea forests are distributed extensively in northern Thailand. Many are remnants of Miang production, but could be used to make green and other tea types. This type of tea is produced in “shade forest” which is both sustainable and desirable. In this study, the consequences of sustainable tea production in forests on wild mushroom yields are investigating. Native people believe that burning forests produce a greater abundance of mushrooms, than if the forest was not burnt. In sustainable tea forests burning is prevented as this would destroy the tea bushes. We are therefore interested in the degree of wild mushroom production in different forest types so we can perhaps promote sustainable forestry and negate the need to burn forests. A survey of the biodiversity of mushrooms and edible mushroom yields in four different forest types was been carried out from 1 May to 30 August 2007. The plots are 100 m2 and comprise burned tea forest, a tea garden with few native tree species, and cultivated and undisturbed sustainable tea forests around MRC, Ban Pha Deng, Mae Taeng district, Chiang mai. All visible mushrooms were collected during biweekly forays. Macro-characters of the fungi were annotated and photographed by digital camera and the fungi were identified to genera and morpho-species. The weight of edible mushrooms was also recorded for comparative purposes. Eighty species that belong to 42 genera were found. Highest diversity of mushrooms was shown in undisturbed tea forest (64 species, 37 genera). The number of mushrooms that found in burned ted forest (40 species, 24 genera) similar to those in disturbed tea forest (40 species, 26 genera). The mushrooms that found in tea garden was lowest diverse (12 species, 9 genera). The weight of edible mushrooms that found in undisturbed tea forest, burned tea forest, disturbed tea forest and tea garden were 18.4 kg, 11.7 kg, 10.1 kg, and 1.2 kg respectively.
Publications
Sibounnavong, P., Sysouphanthong, P., Xayly, Phoutasay, P., Promrin, K., Pongnak, W. and Soytong, K. (2006). Application of biological products for organic crop production of Kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica). Journal of Agricultural Technology 2(2): 177-189.
Sysouphanthong, P., Sibounnavong, P., Pongnak, W. and Soytong, K. (2006). Cultivation of Lettuce (Lactuca stiva L.) as organic crop production. Proceeding of The International Conference on Integration of Science & Technology for Sustainable Development (ICIST) “Biological Diversity, Food and Agricultural Technology” 26-27 April, 2007. 345-348.
2002- 2005 : Master of Science at Maejo University
Major: Horticulture , ChiangMai, Thailand
Scholarship by: Project D’ Appui A La Faculte D’ Agriculture
(PAFA), France Government.
1998-2000 : Bachelor of Science at Rajamangala Institute of Technology
Major : Plant Science of Horticulture
Thunyaburi Pathumtani, Thailand.
Scholarship by: Asia-Pacific Agricultural Net Work, Japan
1996-1998 : Vocational Diploma in Plant Science at Rajamangala
Institute of Technology Kalasin Campus,
Major : Plant Science
Ampher Muang Kalasin Thailand.
Scholarship by: Asia-Pacific Agricultural Net Work, Japan
Thailand
Mushroom Research Center
128 Moo3, Ban Phadeng, T, Papae, A. Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai, 50150, Thailand. (2007-2010)
Phone: Office: + 66-85-7199302
Mobile: + 66-85-6473267
Laos
Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Agriculture National University of Laos
Phone: Office:+ 856-21-870128
Mobile: + 856-20-2002311
Home: + 856-20-5485636
Fax: + 856-20-870121
P.O. Box: 7322
Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Director of Pak Ngum Agriculture Training Center.
Ban Phao, Pak Nguen, District, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Phone: Office: + 856-20-5485636
Mobile: + 856-20-2002311
Supported by: Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Kalasin
Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos
Office of Pak Ngum Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture
Background
Sitthisack Phoulivong, was a lecturer at Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos. He teaches Horticulture, Plant physiology, Plant botany, Mushroom culture, Post harvest Technology and Industrial crops.
He has graduated bachelor in a specialization of Horticulture at Rajamangala Institute of Technology in 2000. Then he graduated his master degree specialized in Horticulture from Maejo University, Thailand in 2005. The title of his master thesis was “Effects of Hot Water on Storage Life and Chilling Injury of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. ‘Choke-Anan’.”
Sitthisack is strongly interested in fungi and biological control aiming to obtain more knowledge and skill for his country, Lao PDR. It would be very fruitful if he could distribute and share his knowledge by teaching to students in the University of Lao PDR. Currently, he will be a PhD student studying at Mae Fah Luang University under the supervision of Dr Kevin D Hyde. The research is going to carry out for 3 years from October 2007 to October 2010.
Research title: Host specificity of Colletotrichum acutatum causing anthracnose and fruit rot
disease in Thailand and Laos
Research background
Colletotrichum acutatum is one of the most important species of plant pathogenic fungi worldwide, can affect very wide host range, especially in tropical and subtropical crops, including tree fruits. Above-ground plant part can be affected at all stage of maturity. Disease symptoms are commonly known as anthracnose and typically include depressed black lesions, which are subcircular or and in which erumpent pink spore masses develop. Losses are caused by the effects of disease at different growth stage, at establishment and during vegetative growth though loss of inflorescence and premature fruit fall. Due to Colletotrichum spp. can cause latent infection; anthracnose disease mainly causes the post-harvest losses (Bailey and Jeger, 1992) of many crops especially in fruits. Post harvest diseases are major problem of fruits and vegetable production because they could reduce 10-30 percent of the total yield (Agrios, 1969), worldwide, especially in developing countries, where chemical could not be used to control the disease (Tang, 2000). The main post harvest disease of fruit is anthracnose which can be found all the duration of the fruit storage. (Tang, 2000).
Fruit crops are important export crops in Thailand where has a suitable climate for growth and development of fruit trees. However Thai fruit production has been faced with anthracnose disease which causes the sunken necrotic lesion reducing the marketable value of the fruits consequently reduces the marketable yield. Anthracnose disease could cause substantial losses of the fruits in a range from a slight loss of quality to total spoilage of the fruit including pre-harvest and post-harvest damage.
Since species of Colletotrichum are cosmopolitan with either multiple species on a single host or a single species on multiple hosts (Freeman et al., 2000), fungus/host relationships are broad, imprecise and often overlapping (Johnston, 2000). Freeman et al. (2003) observed potential for cross infection of C. acutatum on a variety of hosts as well as the host specificity of C. musae causing anthracnose of Musa spp. In addition to this, Simmond (1965) had observed the more aggressiveness of the C. gloeosporioides isolates for the hosts from which they will be originally isolated although they could readily be cross - infective over a wide host range. Since there are many hosts susceptible to Colletotrichum acutatum and if those host ranges will be grown in close proximity, losses might be enormous by cross infection from crop by crop. Therefore understanding about the host specificity of Colletotrichum acutatum might help to reach the efficient disease management.
Therefore the objectives of this study will be to clarify the host specificity and taxonomic status and genetic diversity of Colletotrichum isolate, associated with fruit anthracnose disease on a range of hosts, especially on fruit crops.
Expected out put
To understand host range and host specificity of Colletotrichum acutatum and its genetic diversity based on host and/or geographic location.
Personnel Information
Name: Mr.Sitthisack Phoulivong
Date of birth : 23/11/1977
Place of birth : Sayabouly, Laos.
Marital status : Married
Nationality : Lao
Religion : Buddhism
Weight : 59 Kg
Height : 170 cm
Health : Excellent
Work Experience :
2000-Present: Lecturer in Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, National University of
Laos
2000-2006: Head of Division of Plant Production Unite, Department of Plant Science, Faculty of
Agriculture, NOUL
2007: Vice-Head for academic affair, Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Agriculture,
NOUL
2007-Present: Director of Pak Ngum Agricultural Training Center, Vientiane Capital, Lao. PDR.
2005-2007: Consultant for the horticulture and environment with company limited.
Certificates and Awards
2006: Certificate Award of Excellent Person for Development Faculty of Agriculture, NOUL
2003 : Certificate on Professional Longan Off-Season Production
Maejo University, Thailand
2002 : Certificate on Wine Production
Rajamangala Institute of Technology Lampang Campus, Thailand
2001 : Certificate on Production of Orchids in Pot plants
Maejo University, Thailand
2000 : Certificate on Computer Usage and Internet
Rajamangala Institute of Technology Kalasin Campus, Thailand
2000 : Certificate of Appreciation Volunteer in Plant Sciences Development Field work on
vegetable, fruit trees, propagation, Librarian assistance
Rajamangala Institute of Technology Kalasin Campus, Thailand
1997 : Certificate on Natural Farming on Sustainable Agriculture and EM (effective micro-organism)
Use in Plant and Animal Management
Kyusei Nature Farming and Environmental Research Center
Sekai Kyseikyo, Thai Headquarters, Saraburi, Thailand
Publications
Phoulivong. S,. S. Boulom, S. Phommasane and P. Singhalath. 2007. Cassava as alternative crop reducing slash and burn cultivation, in Paksan district, Borikhamxay province Lao PDR. International Conference on Integration of Science & Technology for Sustainable Development, Bangkok, Thailand. 26-27 April 2007, 166-169.
Phoulivong.S. 2005. Effects of Hot Water on Storage Life and Chilling Injury of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. ‘Choke-Anan‘, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Production, Mae Jo University, Thailand.
Workshops
Participant in 'Workshop in Organic Agriculture in state of Sufficiency Economy conference at Khon Kaen University (27-30 March, 2007).
Lecturer in 'Workshop Training fruit tree development technique for the farmer' (14-17 June 2007) by Triangle Génération Humanitaire Organisation, Kammuane Province, Lao PDR.
Presenter in 'Workshop International Conference on Integration of Science & Technology for Sustainable Development' (26-27 April 2007) at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Bangkok, Thailand.
Lecturer in 'Workshop Training course on: Integration of the EMAP in Project Activities' (26-29 June 2006) National Agriculture and Forestry Extension Service (NAFES) training Center. Vientiane, Lao PDR.
