Search Results (31)

Neopestalotiopsis rosae is an emerging fungal pathogen that causes leaf blight and fruit rot on strawberry. Due to limited fungicide availability and the small number of substances confirmed to be effective against this pathogen, alternative disease control strategies have become a focus of current research. This study aimed to assess, quantify, and compare the efficacy of extracts and inocula of Trichoderma spp. with the conventional fungicide Switch in controlling N. rosae. In the presence of T. harzianum T16 and T. asperellum T23 extracts, conidia production of N. rosae was reduced by 45.0% and 62.7%, respectively. Extracts of T. koningiopsis T10 strongly inhibited both mycelial growth and conidia production (>92.0%), demonstrating efficacy comparable to that of the reference fungicide. Furthermore, T. koningiopsis T10 extracts were able to inhibit N. rosae conidia viability by 55.6%. Under greenhouse conditions, strawberry plants treated with extracts from T. koningiopsis T10 showed protection from N. rosae leaf spots at levels similar to Switch. These findings highlight T. koningiopsis T10 extracts as a promising alternative to chemical fungicides in the integrated management of N. rosae on strawberry. Full article

Phosphorus (P) is a vital macronutrient involved in key biochemical processes that support plant growth; however, its low bioavailability in agricultural soils remains a major constraint on crop productivity. This limitation is commonly addressed through the application of chemical P fertilisers produced by acidulation of phosphate rock (PR), a process that is costly, energy-intensive, and environmentally hazardous. This study evaluated the P-solubilising potential of culture filtrates from three fungal strains (Aspergillus flavus JKJ7, Talaromyces purpureogenus JKJ12, and Trichoderma koningiopsis JKJ18) grown in National Botanical Research Institute’s Phosphate (NBRIP) liquid medium supplemented with tricalcium phosphate (TCP), and compared their TCP solubilisation efficiency with that of pure acids (citric and sulfuric acid). All three fungal strains solubilised TCP in NBRIP medium, with A. flavus JKJ7 producing the highest concentration of soluble P (259.81 mg L⁻¹), followed by T. koningiopsis JKJ18 (166.41 mg L⁻¹) and T. purpureogenus JKJ12 (47.07 mg L⁻¹). Soluble P concentrations were inversely correlated with pH and positively correlated with titratable organic acidity (TOA). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identified citric, succinic, tartaric, and gluconic acids as the dominant organic acids associated with P solubilisation. In pure acid treatments, sulfuric acid exhibited concentration-dependent increases in soluble P, whereas citric acid showed reduced solubilisation efficiency at higher concentrations. Although fungal culture filtrates achieved lower maximum TCP solubilisation than strong mineral acids, their higher TOA contributed to improved stabilisation of soluble P by limiting calcium-mediated reprecipitation. These findings demonstrate that crude fungal organic acid mixtures can complement or partially substitute inorganic acids for mobilising P from low-reactivity PR, offering a potentially cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative for P fertiliser production. This study supports the development of biologically derived P inputs aligned with circular bioeconomy and sustainable agriculture goals. Full article

The contamination of water bodies by industrial dyes is a critical environmental challenge due to the toxicity and persistence of these compounds in aquatic ecosystems. This study evaluated the efficiency of Trichoderma koningiopsis immobilized on Luffa cylindrica matrices for the decolorization of the azo dye Direct Black 22 (DB22), proposing a biotechnological approach for wastewater treatment. The fungus was cultivated and immobilized on matrices characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Experiments under different temperature, pH, and initial dye concentration conditions demonstrated that the immobilized system achieved up to 96% decolorization within 24 h under optimized conditions of 50 °C and pH 4, significantly outperforming the free fungus. The Luffa cylindrica matrix provided mechanical stability and a larger contact area for DB22 decolorization. Thus, the immobilized Trichoderma koningiopsis system on Luffa cylindrica stands out as a sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient alternative for dye removal from textile effluents, contributing to safer and more effective environmental practices. Full article

The artificial breeding of fireflies is vital for supplementing natural populations. Unfortunately, mycosis is being observed with increasing frequency in the artificial breeding of fireflies, resulting in increased mortality. This study reports the identification of a microfungus that infects larval Pygoluciola sp., a species of semi-aquatic fireflies, during artificial breeding. Morphological and molecular analysis identified the fungi as Trichoderma koningiopsis (named as ZL01 strain). In addition, nystatin was selected out of five candidates as the optimal antifungal agent against T. koningiopsis ZL01, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 25.00 μg/mL. Acute oral and contact in vivo toxicity tests on larval Pygoluciola sp. confirmed the safety of nystatin. Furthermore, compared to a Pygoluciola sp. larval population infected with T. koningiopsis ZL01, nystatin treatment increased the survival rate of larvae by twofold (spray administration) and threefold (drip administration) at the end of a nine-day artificial breeding experiment. These findings indicate that nystatin could be used as a potential antifungal agent to control mycosis in artificially bred fireflies. This study was the first to document the infection of semi-aquatic fireflies by pathogens and provide a corresponding treatment strategy. Full article

The fungal genus Trichoderma is highly valued in agriculture for its versatile roles, mainly as a biocontrol agent against plant pathogens. Recently, its use as a natural biofertilizer has gained attention, as Trichoderma spp. promotes crop growth and improves yield by enhancing the rhizosphere environment and activating plant defences. Globally, over 250 Trichoderma-based products dominate 60–90% of the market, but their efficacy can decline during transportation and storage. Additionally, concerns about their impact on native soil biodiversity have led to interest in using locally adapted, native strains. The novel native strain of Trichoderma sp. STP8 (formerly T. koningiopsis agg. STP8) previously showed strong antagonism against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and promoted lettuce growth in greenhouse conditions. This study evaluated Trichoderma sp. STP8’s effectiveness in field-grown lettuce, revealing yield increases of 16.6% to 30.5%. The most significant gains occurred when Trichoderma sp. STP8 was applied before head formation, 26 days after planting. That was in one treatment with two applications (at seedling planting and after 26 days) and another with three applications (at sowing, at seedling planting, and after 26 days). These results demonstrate Trichoderma sp. STP8’s potential as a sustainable biocontrol and biofertilizer agent for lettuce, encouraging further research across different agricultural systems, including hydroponics and soil-less medium. Full article

The lettuce drop or white mold is an economically important disease as the causal fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can infect the lettuce at any stage of plant development. Polyphagous nature of S. sclerotiorum, the longevity of soil-borne sclerotia and air-borne ascospores makes the control difficult. Chemical fungicides are available only for foliar application against infections by ascospores so, the development of bio-control is of great importance. We tested antagonism of native isolate T. koningiopsis agg. (Hypocreales) (STP8) under laboratory and greenhouse environments. In vitro tests showed excellent STP8 antagonisms to S. sclerotiorum evidencing hyperparasitic activity on mycelia and sclerotia as well as antibiosis. The sclerotia were completely degraded after two months. In the greenhouse, infection of lettuce with S. sclerotiorum was reduced by treating the seedlings with an STP8 spore suspension. Uninfected plants treated with STP8 were of the best quality based on morphological parameters, confirming the ability of STP8 to promote lettuce growth. Even the infected lettuce treated with STP8 were healthier and in better condition than the control lettuce, suggesting that STP8 was also enhancing plant defense system. Full article

The present study investigates the potential capacity of fungi for the use in mercury (Hg) leaching and immobilization during the dissolution of cinnabar ore, the updated understanding of the mechanisms involved, and the evaluation of Hg absorption by these fungal strains. Two fungal strains are isolated from Hg-polluted soils in French Guiana and identified as Trichoderma koningiopsis and Talaromyces verruculosus. These fungal strains possess a high capacity for Hg resistance. The Hg concentrations causing 50% growth reduction (EC₅₀) are 5.9 and 1.5 ppm for T. koningiopsis and T. verruculosus, respectively. The results of medium-culture-containing cinnabar ore show that these fungal strains remove over 99% of the Hg content in the culture media by the end of the experiment. Fungal biomass decreases with increasing mercury concentration. The production of organic acids by fungi is observed for both fungal strains, leading to an acidic pH in the medium culture. Oxalic and citric acids are preferentially produced to dissolve Fe from minerals, which may impact Hg leaching. The results of this study provide evidence that the two fungi seem to have potential use for the bioremediation of Hg during the dissolution of cinnabar ores through biosorption mechanisms. Full article

Bioremediation, involving the strategic use of microorganisms, has proven to be a cost-effective alternative for restoring areas impacted by persistent contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this context, the aim of this study was to explore hydrocarbon-degrading microbial consortia by prospecting native species from soils contaminated with blends of diesel and biodiesel (20% biodiesel/80% diesel). After enrichment in a minimal medium containing diesel oil as the sole carbon source and based on 16S rRNA, Calmodulin and β-tubulin gene sequencing, seven fungi and 12 bacteria were identified. The drop collapse test indicated that all fungal and four bacterial strains were capable of producing biosurfactants with a surface tension reduction of ≥20%. Quantitative analysis of extracellular laccase production revealed superior enzyme activity among the bacterial strains, particularly for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia P05R11. Following antagonistic testing, four compatible consortia were formulated. The degradation analysis of PAHs and TPH (C5–C40) present in diesel oil revealed a significantly higher degradation capacity for the consortia compared to isolated strains. The best results were observed for a mixed bacterial-fungal consortium, composed of Trichoderma koningiopsis P05R2, Serratia marcescens P10R19 and Burkholderia cepacia P05R9, with a degradation spectrum of ≥91% for all eleven PAHs analyzed, removing 93.61% of total PAHs, and 93.52% of TPH (C5–C40). Furthermore, this study presents the first report of T. koningiopsis as a candidate for bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Full article

Sisal (Agave sisalana) bole rot caused by Aspergillus welwitschiae is the main phytosanitary problem affecting sisal in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The aim of this study was to evaluate Trichoderma spp. as biocontrol agents for sisal bole rot. Native and non-native species, both soil inhabitants and endophytes, and isolated from different plant hosts were tested. Anatomical studies of the interaction among A. sisalana, Trichoderma spp., and A. welwitschiae were performed. T. cf. asperellum (isolate F12), an endophyte of sisal leaves; T. cf. asperellum (TCS83) from banana plant soil; T. lentiforme (TCS15) and T. harzianum (species complex) (TCS35 and TCS76) from sisal root soil; T. spirale (R62) and T. saturnisporum (R75), endophytes of sisal roots, were the most efficient isolates, with inhibition of A. welwitschiae mycelial growth by up to 70%, and inhibition of sporulation and spore germination by 99%. A reduction in disease incidence of 70 to 93% and in disease severity of 97% was achieved. T. lentiforme (TCS1), T. harzianum (species complex) (TCS35 and R72), and T. koningiopsis (R78) showed mycoparasitism. An increase in cell wall thickness of bole tissue colonized by these Trichoderma species indicated that induced plant defense responses occurred, preventing pathogen colonization, which should be further investigated. Native and non-native Trichoderma species can control sisal bole rot disease. Full article

The global rise in population has led to an increased demand for food production, necessitating the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Traditional methods often rely on synthetic chemicals that negatively impact both human health and the environment. This study aimed to screen soil fungal strains for plant-growth-promoting traits, specifically focusing on their ability to solubilize phosphates, produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and synthesize siderophores. Fungal strains were identified using rDNA sequencing of the ITS regions, and their growth-promoting abilities were assessed in vitro. Aspergillus flavus JKJ7, Talaromyces purpureogenus JKJ12, and Trichoderma koningiopsis JKJ18 exhibited varying degrees of phosphate solubilization, with T. purpureogenus JKJ12 solubilizing the highest amount of tricalcium phosphate (TCP), while A. flavus JKJ7 was the most effective in solubilizing phytic acid calcium salt (PCS). In terms of IAA production, A. flavus JKJ7 produced the highest auxin concentration (68.51 mg/L), followed by T. koningiopsis JKJ18 and T. purpureogenus JKJ12. Additionally, A. flavus JKJ7 produced the highest amount of siderophores (83.7%), indicating its potential for improving iron uptake in plants. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed distinct functional capabilities among the strains, particularly in phosphate solubilization and IAA production, suggesting their complementary use in consortium formulations. These results indicate that these fungal strains possess significant plant-growth-promoting traits and could be used as bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture, either as single strains or in combination Full article

The cultivation of Fritillaria ussuriensis faces challenges due to the prevalent Fritillaria wilt disease, hindering large-scale production. To address this, we aimed to understand the disease’s characteristics and develop effective prevention measures. Microbial communities of diseased F. ussuriensis plants were analyzed, pathogenic and antagonistic strains were screened, and biocontrol feasibility was tested. We identified Botryotinia predominance in aboveground parts and variations in Mrakia, Humicola, llyonectria, and Fusarium in underground parts. The pathogens Fusarium oxysporum IFM-1 and Fusarium solani IFM-52 isolated from diseased F. ussuriensis not only caused severe Fritillaria wilt but were also pathogenic to Lilium lancifolium and Allium cepa var. aggregatum in Liliaceae. The antagonistic Bacillus tequilensis LFM-30 and Trichoderma koningiopsis IFM-47 isolated from diseased plants significantly alleviated plant wilt and showed promise in preventing wilt disease caused by Fusarium in Liliaceae plants. Our study highlights distinct microbial differences between healthy and diseased F. ussuriensis and underscores the pathogenicity of Fusarium. Using T. koningiopsis and B. tequilensis either singly or in combination could offer effective biocontrol against F. solani and F. oxysporum, benefiting F. ussuriensis and related Liliaceae plants. Full article

Using beneficial microorganisms along with sustainable strategies such as agronomic biofortification offers eco-friendly alternatives to combat climate change in ecosystems like dehesas. This study analyzes the combined effects of four wild Trichoderma spp. isolated from Extremadura, Spain (T. koningiopsis, two T. gamsii, and T. koningii, with negative and positive controls) and four Zn biofortification treatments (no Zn application; soil application of 5 mg of ZnSO₄·7H₂O per kg of soil, labeled soil Zn; two foliar applications of 5 mL 0.5% ZnSO₄·7H₂O, labeled foliar Zn; and soil + foliar combination, labeled SF) on Trifolium subterraneum performance. The combination of T. koningiopsis and T. gamsii with foliar Zn improved plant growth by up to 34.4%. Zinc accumulation was about 30% higher when T. gamsii and T. koningii were applied with SF, and their inoculation resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in ash. Trichoderma spp. affected nodulation differently; both T. gamsii inhibited nodulation by 24%, whereas neither T. koningiopsis nor T. koningii showed differences from the controls. These results highlight the potential of combining beneficial microorganisms with biofortification strategies to address nutrient deficiencies and improve agricultural sustainability. However, the complex interactions between both factors underscore the importance of strain selection and call for further research to optimize application strategies and elucidate underlying mechanisms. Full article

Koninginins X-Z (1–3), three novel polyketides, were isolated from the solid fermentation of the endophytic fungus Trichoderma koningiopsis SC-5. Their structures, including the absolute configurations, were comprehensively characterized by a combination of NMR spectroscopic methods, HRESIMS, ¹³C NMR, DFT GIAO ¹³C NMR, and electronic circular dichroism calculations as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, all the compounds were evaluated for antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Full article

The soil microbiome is crucial for maintaining the sustainability of the agricultural environment. Concerning the role of diverse mycobiomes and their abundance toward the suppression of root-knot nematode (RKN) infection in vegetable crops, our understanding is unclear. To unveil this issue, we examined the fungal microbiome in tomato rhizosphere augmented with bioagents challenged against RKN at taxonomic and functional levels. Composition of the mycobiome in tomato rhizosphere treated with Bacillus velezensis VB7 and Trichoderma koningiopsis TK differed significantly from the infected tomato rhizosphere. The abundance and diversity of fungal species, however, were significantly higher in the combined treatments of bioagents than for individual treatments. Fungal microbiome diversity was negatively correlated in the RKN-associated soil. Network analysis of the fungal biome indicated a larger and complex network of fungal biome diversity in bioagent-treated soil than in nematode-associated tomato rhizosphere. The diversity index represented by that challenging the RKN by drenching with consortia of B. velezensis VB7 and T. koningiopsis TK, or applying them individually, constituted the maximum abundance and richness of the mycobiome compared to the untreated control. Thus, the increased diverse nature and relative abundance of the mycobiome in tomato rhizosphere was mediated through the application of either T. koningiopsis TK or B. velezensis VB7, individually or as a consortium comprising both fungal and bacterial antagonists, which facilitated engineering the community composition of fungal bioagents. This in turn inhibited the infestation of RKN in tomato. It would be interesting to explore further the possibility of combined applications of B. velezensis VB7 and T. koningiopsis TK to manage root-knot nematodes as an integrated approach for managing plant parasitic nematodes at the field level. Full article

The plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea) causes severe plant diseases worldwide. Trichoderma is widely used as a biocontrol agent against B. cinerea through multiple biocontrol mechanisms. However, Trichoderma spp. with high biocontrol efficiency against B. cinerea under low-temperature conditions are barely reported. This study aimed to find potential low-temperature resistance biocontrol Trichoderma spp. against B. cinerea, and to characterize the biological principles underlying the activity of Trichoderma. Trichoderma koningiopsis (T. koningiopsis) C5-9 could fully overgrow a B. cinerea colony at 16 °C in a dual-culture assay. Treatment of cucumber leaves with T. koningiopsis C5-9 fermentation broth using the dipping method prior to B. cinerea inoculation significantly reduced the necrotic lesion diameter, with an inhibition rate of 55.30%. T. koningiopsis C5-9 could be successfully cultivated using the mycelia of B. cinerea as a carbon source at 16 °C. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that the origin recognition complex, organic substance catabolic process, and peroxisome were involved in the responses of T. koningiopsis C5-9 to B. cinerea. The findings of this study not only identified T. koningiopsis C5-9 as a potential biological control agent inhibiting B. cinerea under low-temperature conditions, but also provided new insights to develop a deeper understanding of the activity of Trichoderma against B. cinerea for plant protection. Full article