Trichoderma harzianum

About: Trichoderma harzianum is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 4731 publications have been published within this topic receiving 96796 citations.

Gene expression analysis of the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma harzianum in the presence of tomato plants, chitin, or glucose using a high-density oligonucleotide microarray.

Abstract: It has recently been shown that the Trichoderma fungal species used for biocontrol of plant diseases are capable of interacting with plant roots directly, behaving as symbiotic microorganisms. With a view to providing further information at transcriptomic level about the early response of Trichoderma to a host plant, we developed a high-density oligonucleotide (HDO) microarray encompassing 14,081 Expressed Sequence Tag (EST)-based transcripts from eight Trichoderma spp. and 9,121 genome-derived transcripts of T. reesei, and we have used this microarray to examine the gene expression of T. harzianum either alone or in the presence of tomato plants, chitin, or glucose. Global microarray analysis revealed 1,617 probe sets showing differential expression in T. harzianum mycelia under at least one of the culture conditions tested as compared with one another. Hierarchical clustering and heat map representation showed that the expression patterns obtained in glucose medium clustered separately from the expression patterns observed in the presence of tomato plants and chitin. Annotations using the Blast2GO suite identified 85 of the 257 transcripts whose probe sets afforded up-regulated expression in response to tomato plants. Some of these transcripts were predicted to encode proteins related to Trichoderma-host (fungus or plant) associations, such as Sm1/Elp1 protein, proteases P6281 and PRA1, enchochitinase CHIT42, or QID74 protein, although previously uncharacterized genes were also identified, including those responsible for the possible biosynthesis of nitric oxide, xenobiotic detoxification, mycelium development, or those related to the formation of infection structures in plant tissues. The effectiveness of the Trichoderma HDO microarray to detect different gene responses under different growth conditions in the fungus T. harzianum strongly indicates that this tool should be useful for further assays that include different stages of plant colonization, as well as for expression studies in other Trichoderma spp. represented on it. Using this microarray, we have been able to define a number of genes probably involved in the transcriptional response of T. harzianum within the first hours of contact with tomato plant roots, which may provide new insights into the mechanisms and roles of this fungus in the Trichoderma-plant interaction.

Comparison of aerial and submerged spore properties for Trichoderma harzianum

Abstract: Spores produced by aerial mycelium of Trichoderma harzianum PI, a potential biocontrol agent, showed both higher UV-resistance and longer viability after storage than those produced within liquid media (‘submerged’ spores). Aerial spores were produced in clusters, had a thick outer wall, and few organelles. Trehalose content was significantly lower than in submerged spores. Conversely, submerged spores were mostly collapsed, not clustered and larger than aerial spores. They had many cytoplasmic organelles and a thinner outer wall. These spores were hydrophilic, while aerial ones were highly hydrophobic. On analysis, the latter was related with the presence of a single major low molecular mass protein (< 14 kDa). This protein was nearly absent in extracts from walls of submerged spores but was found in the extracellular medium. An involvement of the outer wall layer in the resting state of T. harzianum spores is proposed.

Biocontrol mechanisms of Trichoderma harzianum against soybean charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina

Abstract: Throughout the world, charcoal rot, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, is one of the most destructive and widespread dis- eases of crop plants such as soybean. In this study, the biological control capability of 11 Trichoderma spp. isolates against M. phaseolina was investigated using screening tests. Among all the tested Trichoderma spp. isolates, inhibition varied from 20.22 to 58.67% in dual culture tests. Dual culture, volatile and non-volatile tests revealed that two isolates of Trichoderma harzianum (including the isolates T7 and T14) best inhibited the growth of M. phaseolina in vitro. Therefore, these isolates were selected for biocontrol of M. phaseolina in vivo. The results of greenhouse experiments revealed that disease severity in the seed treatment with T. harzianum isolates was significantly lower than that of the soil treatment. In most of the cases, though, soil treatment with T. harzianum resulted in higher plant growth parameters, such as root and shoot weight. The effects of T. harzianum isolates on the activity of peroxidase enzyme and phenolic contents of the soybean root in the presence and absence of M. phaseolina were determined in greenhouse conditions. Our results suggested that a part of the inhibitory effect of T. harzianum isolates on soybean charcoal rot might be related to the indirect influence on M. phaseolina. Plant defense responses were activated as an elicitor in addition to the direct effect on the pathogen growth.

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting identifies subgroups of Trichoderma viride and other Trichoderma sp. capable of chestnut blight biocontrol

Abstract: Eleven strains of Trichoderma viride, 2 strains of the putative teleomorph Hypocrea rufa and 9 of several other Trichoderma sp. were characterized by random polymorphic DNA amplification (RAPD) fingerprinting and screened for their ability to antagonize growth of European strains of the chestnut blight causing fungus Cryphonectria parasitica, using a dual-culture assay. The best strains were found in the species T. harzianum, T. parceramosum, a distinguishable subgroup of T. viride and a not named Trichoderma sp. The successful application of these strains against chestnut blight in vivo is demonstrated.

Mycosinthetized Ag, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles from a promising Trichoderma harzianum strain and their antifungal potential against important phytopathogens.

Abstract: Fungal green biosynthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) is a promising eco-friendly method for mass-scale production. In the present study Ag, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles were biogenically synthetized using a cell filtrate of a strain of Trichoderma harzianum as a reducer and stabilizer agent. The structure, morphology and physicochemical properties of the NPs were characterized through transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, wide angle X-ray scattering and thermogravimetric analysis. Since nanotechnology could offer promising applications in agricultural area, we evaluated the ability of the NPs to reduce the growth of important fungal phytopathogens as Alternaria alternata, Pyricularia oryzae and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Silver and CuO NPs reduced significantly the mycelial growth of A. alternata and P. oryzae in a dose dependent manner. This is the first report of a multiple extracellular biosynthesis of NPs from T. harzianum and the first time that CuO and ZnO NPs were obtained from this fungus. In addition, we highlighted the rapid production of NPs, as well as, the potential of Ag and CuO for the control of phytopathogens. On the other hand, the three types of NPs could be easily and sustainably produced on a large scale with the chance of having multiple applications in biotechnological processes.