No abstract

A collection of fungal isolates obtained from crop plants, specifically grapevine and blueberry, in Peru were characterised through morphological and DNA sequence analyses of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), beta-tubulin (tub2) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef-1α) regions. Isolates produced monomorphic and dimorphic conidiophores typical of members of the genus Clonostachys. Single-and multi-locus gene phylogenies confirmed the isolates as representing members of the genus Clonostachys, more closely related to species in the subgenus Bionectria. In phylogenetic analyses the isolates grouped in two separate clades, one corresponding to the species Clonostachys pseudochroleuca and the other one distinct from all known species of the genus Clonostachys. These isolates are recognized as representing a novel species species for which the name Clonostachys viticola is proposed. Clonostachys chloroleuca CBS 141588 Clonostachys chloroleuca CBS 141592 Clonostachys chloroleuca CBS 141589 Clonostachys rhizophaga CBS 361.77 Clonostachys rosea f. cantenulata CBS 154.27 Clonostachys rosea f. rosea CBS 710.86 Clonostachys wenpingii HMAS 172156 Clonostachys byssicola CBS 364.78 Clonostachys eriocamporesiana MFLUCC 17-2620 Clonostachys pseudochroleuca CBS 187.94 Clonostachys pseudochroleuca CML 1940 Clonostachys pseudochroleuca CML 2406 Clonostachys pseudochroleuca CAA 948 Clonostachys pseudochroleuca MUM 18.50/CAA 947 Clonostachys pseudochroleuca CML 1982 Clonostachys pseudochroleuca CBS 192.94 Clonostachys pseudochroleuca CML 1983 Clonostachys viticola CAA 946 Clonostachys viticola CAA 945 Clonostachys viticola MUM 18.51/CAA 944 Clonostachys rogersoniana CML 1923 Clonostachys rogersoniana CML 1926 Clonostachys buxi CBS 696.93 Clonostachys candelabrum CBS 504.67 Calonectria ilicicola CBS 190.50

Climate change prediction indicates an increased likelihood of precipitation variability and droughts in the Mediterranean region. Previous studies demonstrated that microbial symbionts combined with supplementary irrigation could mitigate climate change effects and boost chickpea production in low-fertility soils. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of inoculation with a consortium of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Pseudomonas sp., Burkholderia sp. and Mesorhizobium sp.) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Rhizophagus irregularis, Funneliformis geosporum and Claroideoglomus claroideum) on growth, grain yield and crude protein content of chickpeas under the following irrigation regimes: I1-no water stress, I2-moderate water stress, I3-strong water-stress, I4-no water stress in critical growth stages of plant cycle development and I5-severe water stress). Plants irrigated only during the critical growth stages of flowering and pod filling showed higher grain yields compared to plants from other water deficit irrigation treatments. Additionally, chickpeas co-inoculated with PGPR and AMF, and irrigated only during critical growth stages, presented higher grain yield than non-inoculated plants without water stress (1.45- and 1.33-fold increase in 2018 and 2019, respectively). Inoculation with beneficial microorganisms and supplemental irrigation at critical stages benefits chickpea growth and should be considered for increasing crop productivity and promoting agricultural sustainability.