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Advances in Trichoderma—Systemically Induced Plant Resistance and Synergistic Biocontrol...
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Advances in Trichoderma—Systemically Induced Plant Resistance and Synergistic Biocontrol with Consortia of Trichoderma and Other Organisms

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungi in Agriculture and Biotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 12650

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jie Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Interests: biological control of plant diseases; microbial engineering; Trichoderma
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Trichoderma species are well-known microbes worldwide. They are opportunistic fungi with beneficial and pathogenic functions depending on the host’s physiological status. Trichoderma has demonstrated outstanding traits in the biological control of plant diseases, the promotion of plant growth and soil bioremediation, etc. Focused studies in recent years revealed that Trichoderma launches the systemic or long-lasting control of plant diseases, mainly relying on signalling transduction for host SAR (systemic acquired resistance), ISR (induced systemic resistance) or both across plant tissues or plant growth seasons. Trichoderma elicitors, as a MAMP (microbes-associated molecular pattern), recognize host plant receptors or targets which are usually localized in the root cortex. Engineered fusions of elicitor proteins sourced from Trichoderma can develop a novel plant-immunity-activating protein against plant diseases. Consortia of Trichoderma and other kinds of microbes, such as biocontrol bacteria and entomopathogenic fungi, would lead to synergistic and stable control effects against a wide range of plant diseases and insect infection. Co-culturing Trichoderma and Bacillus species is another method of generating new or upregulated microbial metabolites produced from mutual interactions in the same medium, consequently leading to highly effective control against plant diseases and plant growth improvement. The miRNA is involved in the regulation of functional gene expression in Trichoderma itself, and miRNA cross-kingdom transduction occurs in the interaction between Trichoderma and the host plant, which thereby reprograms plant gene expression more available to control plant diseases. Moreover, endophytic Trichoderma species and endophytes induced by Trichoderma within the plant and rhizosphere were demonstrated to make significant contributions to the systemic induction of plant resistance against a range of plant diseases. To date, the genome-wide integrated regulation mechanism targeting multi-layer Trichoderma–pathogen–plant interactions, highly effective at improving plant-induced defense has been still unknown so far.

Prof. Dr. Jie Chen
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Trichoderma
  • systemic acquired resistance
  • induced systemic resistance
  • microbes-associated molecular pattern
  • co-culture
  • consortia

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1470 KiB  
Article
A Pipeline to Investigate Fungal–Fungal Interactions: Trichoderma Isolates against Plant-Associated Fungi
by Marianna Dourou and Caterina Anna Maria La Porta
J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040461 - 10 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2687
Abstract
Soil fungi play essential roles in ecosystems, forming complex interaction networks with bacteria, yeasts, other fungi, or plants. In the framework of biocontrol strategies, Trichoderma-based fungicides are at the forefront of research as an alternative to synthetic ones. However, the impact of [...] Read more.
Soil fungi play essential roles in ecosystems, forming complex interaction networks with bacteria, yeasts, other fungi, or plants. In the framework of biocontrol strategies, Trichoderma-based fungicides are at the forefront of research as an alternative to synthetic ones. However, the impact of introducing new microbial strain(s) on the soil microbiome of a habitat is not well-explored. Aiming to identify a quantitative method to explore the complex fungal interactions, we isolated twelve fungi from three Italian vineyards and identified three strains of the Trichoderma genus in addition to nine more plant-associated fungi of different genera. Investigating in dual nucleation assay fungal–fungal interactions, we recognised two types of interaction: neutral or antagonistic. All three Trichoderma strains displayed a slight inhibitory behaviour against themselves. Trichoderma strains showed a mutually intermingling growth with Aspergillus aculeatus and Rhizopus arrhizus but antagonistic behaviour against the plant pathogens Alternaria sp., Fusarium ramigenum, and Botrytis caroliniana. Yet, in some cases, antagonistic behaviour by Trichoderma fungi was also observed against plant-promoting fungi (e.g., Aspergillus piperis and Penicillium oxalicum). Our study highlights the importance of studying the interactions between fungi, aiming to clarify better the impact of fungal-based biological fungicides in the soil communities, and offers a pipeline for further applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Trichoderma—Systemically Induced Plant Resistance and Synergistic Biocontrol with Consortia of Trichoderma and Other Organisms)
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21 pages, 4905 KiB  
Article
Identification of Mycoparasitism-Related Genes against the Phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea via Transcriptome Analysis of Trichoderma harzianum T4
by Yaping Wang, Xiaochong Zhu, Jian Wang, Chao Shen and Wei Wang
J. Fungi 2023, 9(3), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9030324 - 6 Mar 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2553
Abstract
Trichoderma harzianum is a well-known biological control agent (BCA) that is effective against a variety of plant pathogens. In previous studies, we found that T. harzianum T4 could effectively control the gray mold in tomatoes caused by Botrytis cinerea. However, the research [...] Read more.
Trichoderma harzianum is a well-known biological control agent (BCA) that is effective against a variety of plant pathogens. In previous studies, we found that T. harzianum T4 could effectively control the gray mold in tomatoes caused by Botrytis cinerea. However, the research on its biocontrol mechanism is not comprehensive, particularly regarding the mechanism of mycoparasitism. In this study, in order to further investigate the mycoparasitism mechanism of T. harzianum T4, transcriptomic sequencing and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of T. harzianum T4 at 12, 24, 48 and 72 h of growth in the cell wall of B. cinerea (BCCW) or a sucrose medium. A total of 2871 DEGs and 2148 novel genes were detected using transcriptome sequencing. Through GO and KEGG enrichment analysis, we identified genes associated with mycoparasitism at specific time periods, such as encoding kinases, signal transduction proteins, carbohydrate active enzymes, hydrolytic enzymes, transporters, antioxidant enzymes, secondary metabolite synthesis, resistance proteins, detoxification genes and genes associated with extended hyphal longevity. To validate the transcriptome data, RT-qCPR was performed on the transcriptome samples. The RT-qPCR results show that the expression trend of the genes was consistent with the RNA-Seq data. In order to validate the screened genes associated with mycoparasitism, we performed a dual-culture antagonism test on T. harzianum and B. cinerea. The results of the dual-culture RT-qPCR showed that 15 of the 24 genes were upregulated during and after contact between T. harzianum T4 and B. cinerea (the same as BCCW), which further confirmed that these genes were involved in the mycoparasitism of T. harzianum T4. In conclusion, the transcriptome data provided in this study will not only improve the annotation information of gene models in T. harzianum T4 genome, but also provide important transcriptome information regarding the process of mycoparasitism at specific time periods, which can help us to further understand the mechanism of mycoparasitism, thus providing a potential molecular target for T. harzianum T4 as a biological control agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Trichoderma—Systemically Induced Plant Resistance and Synergistic Biocontrol with Consortia of Trichoderma and Other Organisms)
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16 pages, 3832 KiB  
Article
Effects of Trichoderma atroviride SG3403 and Bacillus subtilis 22 on the Biocontrol of Wheat Head Blight
by Hongyi Liu, Tingting Li, Yaqian Li, Xinhua Wang and Jie Chen
J. Fungi 2022, 8(12), 1250; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8121250 - 27 Nov 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2081
Abstract
Wheat head blight caused by Fusarium graminearum is one of the major wheat diseases in the world; therefore, it is very significant to develop an effective and environmentally friendly microbial fungicide against it. Trichoderma atroviride and Bacillus subtilis are widely applied biocontrol microorganisms [...] Read more.
Wheat head blight caused by Fusarium graminearum is one of the major wheat diseases in the world; therefore, it is very significant to develop an effective and environmentally friendly microbial fungicide against it. Trichoderma atroviride and Bacillus subtilis are widely applied biocontrol microorganisms with separate advantages; however, little work has been conducted for synergistically elevating the effects of biocontrol and plant promotion through the co-cultivation of the two microorganisms. Our study demonstrated that T. atroviride SG3403 is compatible with B. subtilis 22. The co-culture metabolites contained a group of antagonistic compounds which were able to inhibit F. graminearum growth and increase the activities of pathogen G protein and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) as compared with axenic culture metabolites. Additionally, the co-culture metabolites enabled us to more significantly decrease the production of gibberellin (GA), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN) from F. graminearum, which disorganized the subcellular structure, particularly the cytoplasm of F. graminearum hyphae, relative to the axenically cultured metabolites. Furthermore, the seed-coating agent made by the co-culture had significant effects against F. graminearum infection by triggering the expression of host plant defensive genes, including PR1, PR3, PR4, PR5, ACS, and SOD. It is suggested that jasmonic acid and ethylene (JA/ET) signaling might dominate wheat’s induced systemic resistance (ISR) against wheat head blight. A dry, powdered bio-seed coating agent containing the co-culture mixtures was confirmed to be a bioavailable formulation that can be applied to control wheat head blight. Taken together, the co-culture’s metabolites or the metabolites and living cells might provide a basis for the further development of a new kind of microbial bio-fungicide in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Trichoderma—Systemically Induced Plant Resistance and Synergistic Biocontrol with Consortia of Trichoderma and Other Organisms)
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18 pages, 2957 KiB  
Article
New Insights into the Mechanism of Trichoderma virens-Induced Developmental Effects on Agrostis stolonifera Disease Resistance against Dollar Spot Infection
by Lu Gan, Yuelan Yin, Qichen Niu, Xuebing Yan and Shuxia Yin
J. Fungi 2022, 8(11), 1186; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8111186 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2350
Abstract
Trichoderma is internationally recognized as a biocontrol fungus for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Intriguingly, the crosstalk mechanism between the plant and Trichoderma is dynamic, depending on the Trichoderma strains and the plant species. In our previous study, the Trichoderma virens 192-45 strain showed [...] Read more.
Trichoderma is internationally recognized as a biocontrol fungus for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Intriguingly, the crosstalk mechanism between the plant and Trichoderma is dynamic, depending on the Trichoderma strains and the plant species. In our previous study, the Trichoderma virens 192-45 strain showed better pathogen inhibition through the secretive non-volatile and volatile substrates. Therefore, we studied transcriptional and metabolic responses altered in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) with T. virens colonization prior to a challenge with Clarireedia homoeocarpa. This fungal pathogen causes dollar spot on various turfgrasses. When the pathogen is deficient, the importance of T. virens to the enhancement of plant growth can be seen in hormonal production and microbe signaling, such as indole-3-acrylic acid. Therefore, these substrates secreted by T. virens and induced genes related to plant growth can be the ‘pre-defense’ for ensuing pathogen attacks. During C. homoeocarpa infection, the Trichoderma–plant interaction activates defense responses through the SA- and/or JA-dependent pathway, induced by T. virens and its respective exudates, such as oleic, citric, and stearic acid. Thus, we will anticipate a combination of genetic engineering and exogenous application targeting these genes and metabolites, which could make creeping bentgrass more resistant to dollar spot and other pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Trichoderma—Systemically Induced Plant Resistance and Synergistic Biocontrol with Consortia of Trichoderma and Other Organisms)
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13 pages, 27449 KiB  
Article
Exogenous Regulators Enhance the Yield and Stress Resistance of Chlamydospores of the Biocontrol Agent Trichoderma harzianum T4
by Xiaochong Zhu, Yaping Wang, Xiaobing Wang and Wei Wang
J. Fungi 2022, 8(10), 1017; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8101017 - 27 Sep 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1631
Abstract
Trichoderma strains have been successfully used in plant disease control. However, the poor stress resistance of mycelia and conidia makes processing and storage difficult. Furthermore, they cannot produce chlamydospores in large quantities during fermentation, which limits the industrialization process of chlamydospore preparation. It [...] Read more.
Trichoderma strains have been successfully used in plant disease control. However, the poor stress resistance of mycelia and conidia makes processing and storage difficult. Furthermore, they cannot produce chlamydospores in large quantities during fermentation, which limits the industrialization process of chlamydospore preparation. It is important to explore an efficient liquid fermentation strategy for ensuring chlamydospore production in Trichoderma harzianum. We found that the addition of mannitol, glycine betaine, and N-acetylglucosamine (N-A-G) during liquid fermentation effectively increases the yield of chlamydospores. Furthermore, we provided evidence that chlamydospores have stronger tolerance to high temperature, ultraviolet, and hypertonic stress after the addition of mannitol and trehalose. Lipids are an important component of microbial cells and impact the stress resistance of microorganisms. We studied the internal relationship between lipid metabolism and the stress resistance of chlamydospores by detecting changes in the lipid content and gene expression. Our results showed that mannitol and trehalose cause lipid accumulation in chlamydospores and increase the unsaturated fatty acid content. In conclusion, we verified that these exogenous regulators increase the production of chlamydospores and enhance their stress resistance by regulating lipid metabolism. In addition, we believe that lipid metabolism is an important part of the chlamydospore production process and impacts the stress resistance of chlamydospores. Our findings provide clues for studying the differentiation pathway of chlamydospores in filamentous fungi and a basis for the industrial production of chlamydospores. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Trichoderma—Systemically Induced Plant Resistance and Synergistic Biocontrol with Consortia of Trichoderma and Other Organisms)
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