Project description:Morchella sextelata, recognized for its medicinal properties and distinctive taste, is a highly valued edible mushroom. Despite its commercial importance, the mushroom's susceptibility to environmental factors and its reactions to herbicides commonly used in cultivation have not been extensively studied. This research aimed to explore how four prevalent herbicides—Trifluralin, Pendimethalin, S-metolachlor, and Acetochlor—affect the mycelial growth of Morchella sextelata. The study involved cultivating the mycelium in a Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium with concentrations of herbicides at ten times the standard application rate, followed by measuring the degree of mycelial growth inhibition. Employing transcriptomic analysis, RNA sequencing was conducted on the mycelium exposed to the herbicides. The subsequent transcriptome profiling indicated that the application of these herbicides impacted various biological pathways within Morchella sextelata, with a notable influence on glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and the glyoxylate cycle, which are crucial for energy production and metabolic processes. While Trifluralin and Pendimethalin demonstrated a less pronounced negative impact on mycelial growth, the study concluded that all tested herbicides were detrimental to Morchella sextelata. It is thus recommended that, in agricultural practice, the use of herbicides be approached with caution, and that application rates be strictly adhered to in order to ensure the healthy cultivation of Morchella sextelata and minimize potential pesticide residue issues.
