SCITECH RECENTLY: The Mycological Society of the Philippines Concludes Its 25th Annual Scientific Meeting and Symposium
By: Teo Ferriol and Rodel Arzaga
The second day of the Mycological Society of the Philippines (MSP) Silver Anniversary celebration began with an inspirational message from Dr. Virginia C. Cuevas. She honored the late Dr. Tricita Quimio, who chaired the initial small group of MSP formed in Visayas and served as the Philippine representative in the International Mycological Association of Asia.
She recounted the society’s beginnings 25 years ago with its first meeting at the University of the Philippines — Los Baños (UPLB), where MSP meetings were held before expanding to universities across Luzon. Dr. Cuevas acknowledged the society’s tremendous growth in membership and research output, encouraging continued enthusiasm in mycological research due to the rich fungal diversity in the Philippines. She concluded by paying tribute to prominent Filipino mycologists and urging the community to persist in their research endeavors.
Following Dr. Cuevas’s speech, the past presidents of the Mycological Society of the Philippines were recognized, leading to the final plenary talk by Prof. Charina Grace Banaay, PhD from UPLB. Prof. Banaay’s talk focused on harnessing plant-fungi mutualistic interactions for agroecosystem resilience and sustainability. She highlighted a project in Barangay Capayang, Marinduque, where local farmers are grappling with toxic soil caused by mine tailings, lack of irrigation, and pest infestations. Prof. Banaay emphasized the need for agroecosystem resilience, combining productivity with sustainability to ensure long-term food security and support for local farmers.
Prof. Banaay also discussed the importance of integrating productive functions, considering system regulatory mechanisms, and examining scale interactions for agroecosystem resilience. She explained how fungal-plant interactions enhance these systems by promoting internal mechanisms like nitrogen cycling and soil conservation, and reducing dependency on external inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.
Her research on the plant microbiome demonstrated how diverse microbial communities, including fungi, improve plant health and productivity especially under stress. The plenary talk concluded with a lively Q&A session, highlighting the relevance of fungal-plant interactions in addressing crop epidemics and promoting sustainable agriculture.
TH Quimio Best Undergraduate Research
After the plenary session, the spotlight shifted to the TH Quimio Best Undergraduate Thesis competition where several students presented their research.The first thesis explored the biosorption of heavy metals by fungi. The researchers collected and characterized soil samples contaminated with heavy metals from Honda Bay Wharf and Purok Matahimik. They isolated and identified fungi capable of tolerating and absorbing heavy metals such as Cr (VI) and Cd (II). Using atomic absorption spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, they found increased fungal biomass metal concentration after biosorption, highlighting the fungi’s potential for bioremediation.
The next thesis investigated the use of Gamma radiation to eliminate surface fungi on fresh tomatoes from Alaminos, Pangasinan. The study measured the radiation dose needed to reduce fungal populations by 90% for different fungal species. Results showed that specific doses of Gamma radiation could effectively control tomato fungal contamination, potentially improving food safety and shelf life.
The third thesis highlights endolithic fungi associated with the lichen species Ramalina and their tolerance to chromium. The researchers aimed to understand the resilience of these fungi in polluted environments by assessing their ability to survive \in the presence of toxic heavy metals. Their findings broaden existing knowledge of fungal adaptations and potential applications in bioremediation.
The fourth thesis explained how chitosan, a chemical derived from green mussel shells, can stop postharvest diseases in ‘carabao’ mangoes from growing. These diseases are caused by bacteria like Xanthomonas campestris and fungi like Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Botryodiplodia theobromae. The postharvest disease anthracnose, resulting from C. asianum, only affects ‘carabao’ mangoes. It causes dark, sunken lesions that lower the mangoes’ visual appeal and marketability. It then causes widespread fruit retraining the fruit’s texture and rendering it mushy and unpleasant. The disease may also compromise the mangoes’ flavor, shelf life, and nutritional content, negatively affecting their marketability and customer acceptability.
The last thesis explored three fungal pathogens — Athelia rolfsii, Fusarium equiseti, and Muyocopron laterale, which are known to cause diseases in asters. The study combined methods for identifying these pathogens based on their physical traits (morphology) and genetic makeup (molecular analysis). The research assessed how these fungi respond to various fungicides in laboratory settings, aiming to identify the most effective treatments. The study aimed to improve our understanding of these fungal diseases in asters and develop better management strategies.
These theses collectively demonstrated fungi’s wide-ranging and significant contributions across several critical domains: environmental sustainability, food safety, and agricultural productivity. They highlighted how fungi can be harnessed for bioremediation, effectively removing pollutants like heavy metals from the environment. Following this enlightening session, the program seamlessly transitioned to oral presentations, where keynote speakers explored diverse aspects of fungal biology, ecology, and applications.
Minerva Arenas from Far Eastern University presented her research on macrofungi in Bohol, emphasizing their importance in decomposition and as a food source. She highlighted the diversity of macrofungi in the Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape. Using DNA barcoding for molecular identification, her team documented 78 species across 52 genera and 32 families, discovering 12 new macrofungal species. Arenas suggested monthly recording to understand the population dynamics of macrofungi in relation to weather and climate changes.
The next presenter, Joshua Reynaldo, discussed his study on myxomycetes, or slime molds, which are protists studied under the fungal kingdom. The Philippines is a leading country in myxomycetes research, yet Mindanao remains under-explored. Reynaldo’s research focused on the effects of habitat loss on myxomycete assemblages by comparing three distinct zones in Kidapawan City. His findings revealed 15 species of myxomycetes with some functional morphological differences across forest gradients. He noted that edge and core forest myxomycetes tend to form distinct clades compared to midline species. The study concluded that the moist chamber technique is effective and forest types influence myxomycete diversity.
Arianne Grace Revilla’s presentation focused on the alpha taxonomy and ecology of macroscopic fungi in Marinduque. She emphasized the slow documentation pace of macrofungi in the Philippines with only 376 validated species as of 2022, which faces threats from climate change and over-exploitation. Her study conducted in various sites across Marinduque, aimed to identify and classify macrofungi by analyzing their diversity and environmental relationships. The results showed 186 Basidiomycota and 19 Ascomycota species, with Polyporaceae being the most prominent family. Primary and secondary forests exhibited higher macrofungi diversity, particularly Mycena species, while agricultural land and grasslands showed the least diversity. She noted that most macrofungi reside in decaying wood, highlighting the relationship between fungal species richness and habitat type.
Session of Invited Talks of Guests Speakers
One of the invited speakers, Assoc Prof. Jayzon G. Bitacura, PhD, emphasized the concept of fungal endophytes. These fungi live within plant tissues without causing harm and often play important roles in plant health and defense. Furthermore, he highlighted the challenge caused by the rarity of fungal ligninolytic enzymes in nature. These enzymes are crucial for breaking down lignin, a complex organic polymer in plant cell walls. Their scarcity poses a hurdle for various industrial and environmental applications that require efficient lignin degradation processes.
The second speaker, Mr. Carlo Chris Aporillo, his presentation underscored the significance of mangrove fungi and their role in coastal ecosystems. Mangrove fungi are noted for their unique adaptations and ecological functions, contributing significantly to nutrient cycling, decomposition processes, and overall ecosystem health. His discussion touched upon their interactions with mangrove plants and other organisms, illustrating how these fungi facilitate stability and resilience in these critical coastal environments.
Continuing with the third invited speaker, Assoc. Prof. Edwin R. Tadiosa, PhD, presented on the starfish stinkhorn fungus, scientifically known as Aseroe rubra Labill. He discussed its pivotal role within ecosystems, particularly in decomposition processes and nutrient cycling. The starfish stinkhorn fungus is noted for its distinctive appearance and odor, which attract insects to disperse spores. Prof. Tadiosa explored its ecological interactions, highlighting how this fungus contributes to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. His presentation sheds light on the broader significance of fungi like A. rubra Labill in maintaining ecological balance and promoting biological diversity.
Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Nikki Heherson Dagamac focused on the biogeography of microorganisms. His presentation delved into how these organisms are distributed across different geographical regions and ecosystems. He discussed factors influencing their geographic patterns, such as climate, habitat availability, and human impact. By examining the biogeography of fungi and microorganisms, Asst. Prof. Dagamac aimed to uncover insights into their diversity, adaptation strategies, and ecological roles in various environments. His research underscores the importance of understanding spatial distributions in advancing our knowledge of microbial communities and their contributions to ecosystem dynamics.
Lastly, Asst. Prof. Reuel M. Bennett provided an overview of oomycetes, a group of microorganisms often mistaken for fungi for sharing similar ecological roles. He focused on mangrove oomycetes, highlighting their ecological importance and interactions within mangrove ecosystems. Oomycetes are crucial in nutrient cycling, disease dynamics, and overall ecosystem health. Asst. Prof. Bennett’s discussion explored their unique characteristics, ecological functions, and potential impacts on mangrove plant communities. His presentation contributed valuable insights into understanding oomycetes’ diversity and ecological significance in coastal habitats.
In the end, the second day of the MSP Silver Anniversary celebration embodied a cooperative path of creativity and discovery in mycology, highlighted by reflections on past successes and proactive dedication to deepening our knowledge and managing fungal biodiversity. In addition to commemorating past successes, the symposium sparked new initiatives, ensuring that MSP would always be at the forefront of mycological study and conservation in the Philippines and beyond.
