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Special Issue "Application of Trichoderma Strains and Their Metabolites in Agriculture"

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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: 20 December 2023 | Viewed by 4055

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Roberta Marra

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Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural Science, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, NA, Italy
Interests: biological control; metabolomics; beneficial microbes; plant disease control; microbial metabolites; post-harvest disease control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Nadia Lombardi

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Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural Science, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, NA, Italy
Interests: root exudates; microbial consortia; Trichoderma; plant protection; plant growth promotion; co-cultures; biopesticides; biostimulants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microorganisms represent a key component of the soil–plant system in the rhizosphere. Filamentous fungi of the genus Trichoderma are known for their ability to antagonize plant phytopathogens, produce bioactive metabolites, promote plant growth, and induce systemic resistance. Bioformulation based on Trichoderma strains and their metabolites offer a promising alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture. In addition, due to their resistance to numerous toxic compounds, Trichoderma strains can be included in bioremediation strategies, thus promoting the concept of sustainable agriculture. Comprehensive knowledge about the mechanisms of Trichoderma towards plants and pathogens can significantly improve the effectiveness of their action. Given recent developments in this field, this Special Issue will focus on the development of effective methods for the detection, formulation, and application of Trichoderma antagonistic fungi and their metabolites in agriculture, the estimation of the risk related to their use in in vitro and in vivo conditions, and the enhancement of the efficacy of Trichoderma bioformulations through the stimulation of their competitiveness in the rhizosphere and rhizoplane. Studies aimed at unravelling the compounds affecting the nature of the interaction of these microbes with plants, i.e., effector-like molecules, are also welcome.

Dr. Roberta Marra
Dr. Nadia Lombardi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

biological control
bioactive compounds
phytopathogens
plant–microbe interaction rhizosphere
bioformulation
effectors
plant colonization
bioremediation

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 6390 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of High Water-Soluble Trichoderma Co-Culture Metabolite Powder and Its Effects on Seedling Emergence Rate and Growth of Crops

and

J. Fungi 2023, 9(7), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9070767 - 20 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 780

Abstract

Trichoderma spp. are widely used beneficial microbes in agricultural production; however, the improper carrier choice for Trichoderma agent preparation can alter the effectiveness of Trichoderma fungicides. In this study, the co-culture of four Trichoderma strains produced a large amount of free amino acids, with a content of 392.8414 ug/mL, and significantly improved the production level of γ-aminobutyric acid. A greenhouse experiment further showed that the co-culture of Trichoderma synergistically improved the female flower development and bacterial angular leaf spot resistance. The effects of ten kinds of carriers were compared in terms of water absorption and heat generation, as well as their effects on the seedling emergence rate and the plant growth promotion of maize, cucumber, and pakchoi cabbage. Each carrier was screened to mix with four strains of co-culture metabolites to prepare highly soluble and quality powders. The results showed that there were different effects of the carriers themselves and Trichoderma strain co-culture metabolite powder prepared with the carriers on seedling emergence rate and seedling growth. Β-cyclodextrin performed best in high solubility and low heat generation upon absorbing water and in easy drying in processing operations. Trichoderma strains co-culture metabolite powder with β-cyclodextrin as a carrier provided the most obvious promotion effects on seedling emergence rate and seedling growth. Therefore, β-cyclodextrin was determined to be an ideal carrier to prepare a highly water-soluble Trichoderma agent. Taken together, the study successfully developed a new type of highly soluble powder containing Trichoderma co-culture metabolites that is expected to benefit farming drip irrigation and spraying systems for the promotion of crop growth and disease control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Trichoderma Strains and Their Metabolites in Agriculture)

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20 pages, 1489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fungistatic Activity Mediated by Volatile Organic Compounds Is Isolate-Dependent in Trichoderma sp. “atroviride B”

Eline van Zijll de Jong

and

Artemio Mendoza-Mendoza

J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020238 - 10 Feb 2023

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Abstract

Trichoderma spp. produce multiple bioactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs). While the bioactivity of VOCs from different Trichoderma species is well documented, information on intraspecific variation is limited. The fungistatic activity of VOCs emitted by 59 Trichoderma sp. “atroviride B” isolates against the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani was investigated. Eight isolates representing the two extremes of bioactivity against R. solani were also assessed against Alternaria radicina, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. VOCs profiles of these eight isolates were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify a correlation between specific VOCs and bioactivity, and 11 VOCs were evaluated for bioactivity against the pathogens. Bioactivity against R. solani varied among the fifty-nine isolates, with five being strongly antagonistic. All eight selected isolates inhibited the growth of all four pathogens, with bioactivity being lowest against F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. In total, 32 VOCs were detected, with individual isolates producing between 19 and 28 VOCs. There was a significant direct correlation between VOC number/quantity and bioactivity against R. solani. 6-pentyl-α-pyrone was the most abundant VOC produced, but 15 other VOCs were also correlated with bioactivity. All 11 VOCs tested inhibited R. solani growth, some by >50%. Some of the VOCs also inhibited the growth of the other pathogens by >50%. This study demonstrates significant intraspecific differences in VOC profiles and fungistatic activity supporting the existence of biological diversity within Trichoderma isolates from the same species, a factor in many cases ignored during the development of biological control agents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Trichoderma Strains and Their Metabolites in Agriculture)

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19 pages, 4154 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Farnesol in Trichoderma Physiology and in Fungal–Plant Interaction

Natalia Martínez-Reyes

Guzmán Carro-Huerga

Álvaro Rodríguez-González

Robert H. Proctor

Pedro A. Casquero

and

Santiago Gutiérrez

J. Fungi 2022, 8(12), 1266; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8121266 - 30 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1368

Abstract

Farnesol is an isoprenoid intermediate in the mevalonate (MVA) pathway and is produced by the dephosphorylation of farnesyl diphosphate. Farnesol plays a central role in cell growth and differentiation, controls production of ubiquinone and ergosterol, and participates in the regulation of filamentation and biofilm formation. Despite these important functions, studies of farnesol in filamentous fungi are limited, and information on its effects on antifungal and/or biocontrol activity is scarce. In the present article, we identified the Trichoderma harzianum gene dpp1, encoding a diacylglycerol pyrophosphatase that catalyzes production of farnesol from farnesol diphosphate. We analyzed the function of dpp1 to address the importance of farnesol in Trichoderma physiology and ecology. Overexpression of dpp1 in T. harzianum caused an expected increase in farnesol production as well as a marked change in squalene and ergosterol levels, but overexpression did not affect antifungal activity. In interaction with plants, a dpp1-overexpressing transformant acted as a sensitizing agent in that it up-regulated expression of plant defense salicylate-related genes in the presence of a fungal plant pathogen. In addition, toxicity of farnesol on Trichoderma and plants was examined. Finally, a phylogenetic study of dpp1 was performed to understand its evolutionary history as a primary metabolite gene. This article represents a step forward in the acquisition of knowledge on the role of farnesol in fungal physiology and in fungus-environment interactions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Trichoderma Strains and Their Metabolites in Agriculture)

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