Horticulturehttp://hdl.handle.net/11019/172024-03-28T15:58:25Z2024-03-28T15:58:25ZTransmission of mushroom virus X and the impact of virus infection on the transcriptomes and proteomes of different strains of Agaricus bisporusO'Connor, EoinDoyle, SeanAmini, AniçaGrogan, HelenFitzpatrick, David A.http://hdl.handle.net/11019/35682024-03-03T04:20:22Z2021-09-01T00:00:00ZTransmission of mushroom virus X and the impact of virus infection on the transcriptomes and proteomes of different strains of Agaricus bisporus
O'Connor, Eoin; Doyle, Sean; Amini, Aniça; Grogan, Helen; Fitzpatrick, David A.
Cultivation of Agaricus bisporus is a large horticultural industry for many countries worldwide, where a single variety is almost grown exclusively. Mushroom virus X (MVX), a complex of multiple positive-sense single stranded RNA (ss(+)RNA) viruses, is a major pathogen of typical A. bisporus crops. MVX can manifest a variety of symptoms in crops and is highly infective and difficult to eradicate once established in host mycelium. Currently our knowledge regarding the molecular response of A. bisporus fruit bodies to MVX infection is limited. In order to study the response of different A. bisporus strains with different susceptibilities to MVX, we designed a model system to evaluate the in-vitro transmission of viruses in A. bisporus hyphae over a time-course, at two crucial phases in the crop cycle. The symptom expression of MVX in these varieties and the transcriptomic and proteomic response of fruit bodies to MVX-infection were examined. Transmission studies revealed the high potential of MVX to spread to uninfected mycelium yet not into the fruit bodies of certain strains in a crop. MVX affected colour and quality of multiple fruit bodies. Gene expression is significantly altered in all strains and between times of inoculation in the crop. Genes related to stress responses displayed differential expression. Proteomic responses revealed restriction of cellular signalling and vesicle transport in infected fruit bodies. This in-depth analysis examining many factors relevant to MVX infection in different A. bisporus strains, will provide key insights into host responses for this commercially important food crop.
peer-reviewed
2021-09-01T00:00:00ZBacterium consortium drives compost stability and degradation of organic contaminants in in-vessel composting process of the mechanically separated organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MS-OFMSW)Graça, JessicaMurphy, BrianPentlavalli, PrasannaAllen, Christopher C.R.Bird, EoinGaffney, MichaelDuggan, TimKelleher, Brianhttp://hdl.handle.net/11019/35272024-01-25T03:14:35Z2021-02-01T00:00:00ZBacterium consortium drives compost stability and degradation of organic contaminants in in-vessel composting process of the mechanically separated organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MS-OFMSW)
Graça, Jessica; Murphy, Brian; Pentlavalli, Prasanna; Allen, Christopher C.R.; Bird, Eoin; Gaffney, Michael; Duggan, Tim; Kelleher, Brian
Commercial composting of the mechanically separated organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MS-OFMSW) is employed to stabilize municipal organic waste. Its feasibility is linked to process efficacy and compost stability. Threshold values for stability are imposed by regulatory frameworks. Limited reuse options exist for this material often due to the presence of organic pollutants. The optimisation of the composting process is required to reach stability in a viable timeframe. We evaluated the effects on compost stability and the degradation of organic contaminates by using wood shavings as a bulking agent and increasing the turning frequency in a pilot scale process. The use of wood shavings decreased the time required for compost stability while turning frequency had no impact. The addition of wood shavings to the initial feedstock stimulated microbial activity that in turn decreased the time to compost stability and enhanced the degradation of detected PAHs and short-chain phthalates.
peer-reviewed
2021-02-01T00:00:00ZPotential for transfer of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Senftenberg from contaminated food waste derived compost and anaerobic digestate liquid to lettuce plantsMurphy, SuzannahGaffney, Michael T.Fanning, SeamusBurgess, Catherine M.http://hdl.handle.net/11019/33152023-10-11T03:41:31Z2016-10-01T00:00:00ZPotential for transfer of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Senftenberg from contaminated food waste derived compost and anaerobic digestate liquid to lettuce plants
Murphy, Suzannah; Gaffney, Michael T.; Fanning, Seamus; Burgess, Catherine M.
The diversion of food wastes from landfill to sustainable disposal methods, such as composting and anaerobic digestion, has led to an increase in the soil amendment products that are now commercially available and which are derived from both of these processes. The use of such products as soil amendments during the production of ready-to-eat (RTE) crops is increasing worldwide.
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of three well-recognised bacterial pathogens of importance to public health, namely Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Senftenberg and Listeria monocytogenes, to become internalised in lettuce plants from peat growing media amended with contaminated food waste derived compost and anaerobic digestion liquid. The results demonstrated both S. Senftenberg and E. coli O157:H7 are capable of internalisation at lower inoculation levels, compared to previous studies. The internalisation was visualised through confocal microscopy. Internalisation of L. monocytogenes did not occur, however significant levels of L. monocytogenes contamination occurred on the non-sterilised plant surface.
Assessing the internalisation potential for each of these pathogens, through the compost and anaerobic digestate matrices, allows for better risk assessment of the use of these products in a horticultural setting.
peer-reviewed
2016-10-01T00:00:00ZPotential of urban green spaces for supporting horticultural production: a national scale analysisWalsh, Lael EMead, Bethan RHardman, Charlotte AEvans, DanielLiu, LingxuanFalagán, NataliaKourmpetli, SofiaDavies, Jesshttp://hdl.handle.net/11019/32342023-09-05T03:02:10Z2022-01-14T00:00:00ZPotential of urban green spaces for supporting horticultural production: a national scale analysis
Walsh, Lael E; Mead, Bethan R; Hardman, Charlotte A; Evans, Daniel; Liu, Lingxuan; Falagán, Natalia; Kourmpetli, Sofia; Davies, Jess
As urban areas and land-use constraints grow, there is increasing interest in utilizing urban spaces for food production. Several studies have uncovered significant potential for urban growing to supplement production of fruit and vegetables, focusing on one or two cities as case studies, whilst others have assessed the global scale potential. Here, we provide a national-scale analysis of the horticultural production potential of urban green spaces, which is a relevant scale for agri-food and urban development policy making using Great Britain (GB) as a case study. Urban green spaces available for horticultural production across GB are identified and potential yields quantified based on three production options. The distribution of urban green spaces within 26 urban towns and cities across GB are then examined to understand the productive potential compared to their total extent and populations. Urban green spaces in GB, at their upper limit, have the capacity to support production that is 8× greater than current domestic production of fruit and vegetables. This amounts to 38% of current domestic production and imports combined, or >400% if exotic fruits and vegetables less suited to GB growing conditions are excluded. Most urban green spaces nationally are found to fall within a small number of categories, with private residential gardens and amenity spaces making up the majority of space. By examining towns and cities across GB in further detail, we find that the area of green space does not vary greatly between urban conurbations of different sizes, and all are found to have substantial potential to meet the dietary needs of the local urban population. This study highlights that national policies can be suitably developed to support urban agriculture and that making use of urban green spaces for food production could help to enhance the resilience of the national-scale food system to shocks in import pathways, or disruptions to domestic production and distribution.
peer-reviewed
2022-01-14T00:00:00Z