Evaluation of Fungal Parasitic Activity Under Field Conditions: A Soil Simulation Test

Several species of saprophytic filamentous fungi are able of disrupting the life cycle of certain soil-born parasites that are of veterinary and agronomy importance, offering a promising sustainable control alternative. This study consisted of designing an experimental model, using catnip (Nepeta ca...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Magos Amado, Carlos Emiliano, Zubiria Ibarguren, Izaro, Hernández Malagón, José Ángel, Sanchís Polto, Jaime, Paz Silva, Adolfo, González Cerón, Fernando
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
Repositorio:Minerva. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:minerva_____::0f089759312f085599d4c6b0dde0eddd
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10347/46680
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Assays
Biological control
Trays with catnip
Soil simulation
Oocysts
L3 larvae
Mucor circinelloides
Trichoderma atrobrunneum
Duddingtonia flagrans
Descripción
Sumario:Several species of saprophytic filamentous fungi are able of disrupting the life cycle of certain soil-born parasites that are of veterinary and agronomy importance, offering a promising sustainable control alternative. This study consisted of designing an experimental model, using catnip (Nepeta cataria) trays to simulate a vegetated environment for evaluating the parasiticidal activity of Mucor circinelloides, Trichoderma atrobrunneum, and Duddingtonia flagrans. Fungal spores were added to treated trays before adding feces with protozoan (Eimeria spp.), and gastrointestinal nematodes (roundworms, strongyles), and untreatedcontrol water. No differences in plant growth or vigor, regardless of fungal presence, were observed, confirming the safety of these biological agents for vegetation. In the control trays, the viability of parasites ranged from 50% to 85%. In the treated trays, the viability of Eimeria and roundworms decreased by 40–100%, and the strongyle egg counts were reduced by 74% within 15 days. It is concluded that the vegetated tray model effectively simulates field conditions and provides a reliable platform for evaluating fungal efficacy against the free-living stages of parasites, offering a versatile tool for future research on soil-borne pathogens affecting animals and plants.