SQU duo on the fungus trail

It is estimated that at least 7,200 fungal species could be indigenous to Oman. However, at the moment there is information on only 100 of these species.

To characterise and conserve the fungal biodiversity of Oman, two researchers from the Crop Sciences Department of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) have embarked on collaborative research.

The researchers, Dr Mike Deadman and Dr Abdullah Al Sadi said that the study is important as fungi are one of the most diverse groups of organisms on the planet. The United Nations has proclaimed 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity to safeguard the irreplaceable natural wealth and reduce biodiversity loss.

This is vital for current and future human wellbeing and is the reason that prompted SQU crop scientists to pursue the study of biodiversity of fungi.

Dr Deadman, an associate professor in the Department of Crop Sciences of the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, said that fungi are vitally important for the good growth of most plants, including crops, through the development of associations between the fungi and the roots of the plants.

On the other hand, they can be extremely injurious, causing disease and death or reduced fitness.  "Around 1,200 native plants are found in Oman. Considering the average plant-fungus ratio worldwide is 1:6, it is estimated that at least 7,200 fungal species could be indigenous to Oman. At the moment we know about approximately 100 of them. But, in terms of information on fungal biodiversity, Oman's position is close to the bottom among the Middle East nations whereas countries like Turkey, Iran and Jordan know much more about their native fungal flora," Dr Deadman said.

The medicinal value of fungi is known to everybody since penicillin, perhaps the most famous of all antibiotic drugs, was first derived from a fungus. Other fungi also produce antibiotic substances, which are now widely used or have been synthesised to produce drugs to control diseases in human and animal populations.

Some fungi which parasitise caterpillars have also been traditionally used as medicines. Many fungi produce unusual natural products and we have only just begun to explore their potential.

Dr Deadman pointed out that not all fungi are beneficial to man and plants. Fungal pathogens can have enormous negative consequences for crop production. Some fungi are parasites of plants. Most of our common crop plants are susceptible to fungal attack. "Fungal diseases can on occasion result in the loss of entire crops if they are not managed correctly," he said. There are also instances of harmful fungi jumping from native plants to cultivated plants in Oman.

On the research venture, Dr Deadman said that only a fraction of the total fungal wealth of Oman has been subjected to scientific scrutiny and mycologists have to unravel and explore this hidden wealth.

When native plants in the wild show signs of poor health, samples are taken to SQU so that the disease-causing pathogen can be correctly identified. This usually involves extracting the fungal genetic material and sequencing the DNA so that it can be compared with similar fungi found elsewhere. The research could improve the success rate of plant propagation where native species need to be multiplied.

The flora of Oman contains many endemic species, varieties not found anywhere else in the world. It is likely, therefore, that the native fungi of Oman are similarly restricted to this country.

The flora of Oman represents a fantastic opportunity to study the biodiversity of fungi associated with such a unique collection of plants," Dr Deadman said, adding, "Research not only allows us to study the fungi of Oman but will also give us the opportunity to educate the public about the benefits and dangers of this group of poorly studied organisms.