Biology subjects

Bhatta, B. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Bhatta, B. P..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

First Report of Soft Rot Caused by Pectobacterium brasiliense on Summer Squash in Mississippi, USA

Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) is a popular vegetable in Mississippi. These are harvested during the tender and immature stages. This vegetable is known to be a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium, and iron. Small farms typically sell summer squash directly to consumers through local farmers markets. In this study, we isolated and identified a soft rot causing bacteria, Pectobacterium brasiliense strain 25ASUB12 (GenBank: PX884501), from symptomatic fruit of field-grown summer squash in Mississippi. We deployed both phenotypic and molecular techniques to identify this important pathogen which has a wide host range, including cucumbers, potatoes, and tomatoes.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2025

Identification and Domestication of a Wild Edible Oyster Mushroom Growing on Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) in Mississippi

The oyster mushroom is among the most extensively cultivated edible mushrooms worldwide. These mushrooms typically thrive on decaying broadleaf deciduous trees but are rarely found on conifers. A wild oyster mushroom strain was collected from pine trees in Mississippi. We characterized the strain using both morphological and molecular techniques. Pure cultures of this strain were obtained and utilized for spawn production, cultivation, genomic DNA extraction, and identification. Our research assessed the strains capacity to produce extracellular enzymes. The results demonstrated that the strain belonged to the species Pleurotus ostreatus (GenBank: PV750134).This fungal strain exhibited a significant ability to colonize lignocellulosic substrates derived from pine, such as logs and sawdust, as evidenced by the substantial production of laccase and cellulase enzymes. Pine logs yielded fruiting bodies approximately 60 days after inoculation. The mushroom strain, ASU_Pre_1-1, shows great potential for producing edible oyster mushrooms using pine wood waste in Mississippi.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Isolation and Characterization of Potential Pathogenic Fungi Associated with Watermelons in Southwest Mississippi

Watermelon is an important specialty crop in the USA. Fungal diseases primarily challenge the production and productivity of watermelon. The understanding of prevailing diseases, gained through genotypic and phenotypic techniques, eventually helps researchers develop disease management strategies. This study involved scouting and sampling of a watermelon research field in Southwest Mississippi for diseases. Nine distinct potential pathogenic fungi were identified from symptomatic leaves and fruits through development of pathogen pure cultures followed by PCR amplification of internal transcribed spacer regions and sequencing. The identified fungi were Didymella americana, Diaporthe melonis, Fusarium incarnatum, Alternaria longissima, Curvularia pseudobrachyspora, Xylaria multiplex, Phoma sp., Nigrospora sphaerica, and Fusarium chlamydosporum. The fungal isolates were ascomycetes at the phylum-level and belonged to the orders of fungi: Pleosporales, Hypocreales, Diaporthales, Xylariales, and Trichosphaeriales. Future research studies include pathogenicity assays with a broader host range, whole genome sequencing to develop deeper understanding of the pathogenic fungi, and formulation of disease management strategies for high-yielding, superior quality, and profitable watermelon production.

pathology↗