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Hui-Ling Liao

Specialist

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Hui-Ling Liao

Orcid ID0000-0002-1648-3444

Specialist

associate professor, soil microbial ecology, Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy, FL

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Publications

thumbnail for publication: D.I.Y. FunGuide: Grow Your Own Oyster Mushrooms at Home

D.I.Y. FunGuide: Grow Your Own Oyster Mushrooms at Home

Hui-Ling Liao, Chih-Ming Hsu, Khalid Hameed, and Van T. Cotter

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Plant Systems

thumbnail for publication: Integrating Rhizoma Perennial Peanut into Bahiagrass Pastures Enhances Beneficial Soil Microbes in Florida

Integrating Rhizoma Perennial Peanut into Bahiagrass Pastures Enhances Beneficial Soil Microbes in Florida

Hui-Ling Liao and Adesuwa S. Erhunmwunse

Soil microorganisms, including soil bacteria and fungi, play important roles in pasture systems. They contribute to enhanced soil structure, nutrient cycling, and plant resilience. This publication discusses effects of bahiagrass and rhizoma perennial peanut integration on soil microbial diversity. Written by Hui-Ling Liao and Adesuwa S. Erhunmwunse, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, July 2024.

thumbnail for publication: The Plant-Growth-Promoting Fungus, Mortierella elongata: Its Biology, Ecological Distribution, and Activities Promoting Plant Growth

The Plant-Growth-Promoting Fungus, Mortierella elongata: Its Biology, Ecological Distribution, and Activities Promoting Plant Growth

Hui-Ling Liao

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. Published by Plant Systems

thumbnail for publication: A Preliminary Survey of Mycotoxins Identified from Florida Bahiagrass Pastures

A Preliminary Survey of Mycotoxins Identified from Florida Bahiagrass Pastures

Hui-Ling (Sunny) Liao, Ko-Hsuan Chen, Florencia Marcon, Robert (Robbie) Jones, Brittany Justesen, Joseph Walter, Ann Blount, Cheryl Mackowiak, Doug Mayo, and Marcelo Wallau

The beef cattle ranchers in Florida reported some health issues related to cattle grazing on warm-season grass pastures, such as bahiagrass and bermudagrass. The illness was not attributable to nutritional imbalances, or other possible causes. The focus then turned to what the animals were consuming, and forages were implicated. In general, the forages in Florida are just fine, however, sometimes under certain circumstances the fungi that live in our forages may produce “secondary metabolites”. All the forage harbor fungi. Some fungi are good in that they aid our forages to grow better, helping to mine nutrients from the soil or atmosphere. Sometimes they are not so good, like when high levels of ergotized seed occur in the seed heads of bahiagrass.

thumbnail for publication: Survey of Mycotoxins Present in Florida Pastures Across Time, Locations, and Grass Species

Survey of Mycotoxins Present in Florida Pastures Across Time, Locations, and Grass Species

Hui-Ling (Sunny) Liao, Kaile Zhang, Vijay Verma, Haihua Wang, Brittany Justesen, Joseph Walter, Valerie Mendez, Ann Blount, Cheryl Mackowiak, Marcelo Wallau, Robbie Jones, Ko-Hsuan Chen, Ed Jennings, JK Yarborough, Doug Mayo, Ray Bodrey, and Aaron S

The toxicity of grasses caused by mycotoxins has led to economic losses in the United States due to the health impact on livestock feeding on it. Florida's warm and humid weather is favorable for the growth of mycotoxin-producing fungi on grasses. The JECFA has provided evaluations and risk management for some high-risk mycotoxins; however, more research is needed in Florida to determine the maximum levels of these mycotoxins, how different environmental conditions affect these levels, and the specialized risk management to prevent animals from getting sick. Our Extension agents were able to collect and examine 195 grass samples from 13 ranchers across dry and wet seasons in Florida. In this publication, we summarized the results for our ranchers to learn more about (1) what (dominant) mycotoxins are generally present in Florida’s pastures, (2) what grass species could harbor more of these mycotoxins, and (3) what seasons or locations may favor these dominant mycotoxins.

thumbnail for publication: Rhizosphere Microbes and the Roles They Play in Crop Production and Soil Health

Rhizosphere Microbes and the Roles They Play in Crop Production and Soil Health

Hui-Ling Liao

Each gram of rich soil can harbor 100 million to a billion microorganisms, meaning every inch of our soil is alive (Raynaud and Nunan 2014) (Fig. 1). These underground organisms keep soil healthy. Balancing the community of microbes can benefit plant yield, plant health, and soil sustainability. While it is recognized that many soil microbes perform key roles in crop productivity, the importance of these underground activities is easily overlooked because of their small size. By focusing on a specific group of microbes living on or near plant roots, this publication provides understanding for these questions: Who are these microbes and how do they improve plant and soil health?

thumbnail for publication: Biology, Ecology, and Benefits of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Agricultural Ecosystems

Biology, Ecology, and Benefits of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Agricultural Ecosystems

Holly Andres, Hui-Ling (Sunny) Liao, and Kaile Zhang

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, as symbionts to host plants, play a pivotal role in regulating plant nutrient uptake and maintaining soil health. As approximately 80%-90% of terrestrial plants are colonized by mycorrhizal fungi, this fungal group significantly contributes to the overall yield and functions in crop production. This publication provides updated general knowledge on the biology and ecological functions of the most common types of mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi are highly sensitive to environmental stressors and management practices, such as the application of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers, as well as fungicides. An enhanced understanding of mycorrhizal fungi can raise awareness among growers, prompting them to consider mycorrhizal fungal activities when managing their farms. Moreover, it can improve the general public's knowledge of the role mycorrhizal fungi play in natural terrestrial ecosystems, including agricultural and forest ecosystems.

thumbnail for publication: Isolation of Mother Cultures and Preparation of Spawn for Oyster Mushroom Cultivation

Isolation of Mother Cultures and Preparation of Spawn for Oyster Mushroom Cultivation

Hui-Ling Liao, Chih-Ming Hsu, Khalid Hameed, and Van T. Cotter

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Plant Systems

thumbnail for publication: Mycotoxins in Florida Pastures

Mycotoxins in Florida Pastures

Marcelo Wallau, Brittany Justesen, Ann Blount, Cheryl Mackowiak, Hui-Ling (Sunny) Liao, and Diwakar Vyas

Beef cattle producers in Florida have expressed concerns about the potential presence of mycotoxins in summer perennial forages. In other regions of the US, mycotoxins in forage crops have caused productivity and economic losses. This article provides information about the current state of knowledge regarding mycotoxins in Florida perennial grass pastures.