ars7i2024 Techoderma =) (e)Keel(e7\ CO) 0) Masten ea Home Overview Types of Natural Enemies Habitat of Natural Enemies Index Resources Back to Pathogens Table of Contents Trichoderma spp., including T. harzianum, T. viride, T. koningii, T. hamatum and other spp. Deuteromycetes, Moniliales (asexual classification system) (Ascomycetes, Hypocreales, usually Hypocrea spp. ae sexual anamorphs, this life sage is lacking or unknown for biocontrol sivains) 17. Human Cora Unversity, Ganev, NY 14468 What are Trichoderma? Trichoderma spp. are fungi that are present in nearly all slls and other diverse habitats. n soil, they frequently are the most prevalent culturable fungi harzianum KRL-AG2 Fi 1 Cuturs of Thchodrme hardanum sean 22 (KRL-AC2 growing on pao dectose ar The white ares do ot ontln spores whl te gron aan ar covarad th danse mass of parse (con) ‘They are favored by the presance of high levals of plant roots, which they colorize readily. Some strains are highly rhizosphere competent, ie. abe to colonize and grow on roots as they develop. The most strongly rhizosphere competent stains can be added to soll or seeds by any methad. Once they come inta contact wit roots, they colonize the root surface or cortex, depending onthe strain Thus, added as ‘a seed treatment, the best strains wil colonize root surfaces even when roots a meter or more below the sol surface and they can persist at useful numbers up to 18 months ater application, However, most stains lack this ably. eg rcennn eee ee meer seiebeesnaneeo iemeieem Gureesenme hitps:biocontro. entomology. comelledulpathogensitchoderma.php 48ars7i2024 ‘Techoderma 1 2 Somoa serach Satter menses / 2 Sica : , aeenrecare 2 aera ee ' Eoeacnamtece rf Selegenieetan Sete venpoma sates ‘ig. 3 Colneaton oo has of or by te Nah eizsphar compen san Oriana 22 Used wit permission of te American Phyopatologiel Society Hamman. 200 Pian Diesste 8377.33) In addition to colonizing roots, Trichoderma spp. altack, parasiize and otherwise gain nution from other fungi, Since Trichoderma spp. grow and proliferate best when there are abundant healthy rots, hey have ‘evolved numerous mechanisms for both attack of other fungi and for enhancing plant and root growth ‘Several new general methads for both biocontrol and for causing enhancement of plant growth have ‘ecenily been demonstrated and it's now clea that there must be hundreds of separate genes and gene products involved in these processes. A racent lst of mechanisms follows. ‘+ Mycoparasitism + Anibiosis ‘+ Compettion for nutrients or space + Tolerance to stress through enhanced root and plant development ‘+ Solubilization ané sequestration of inorganic nutrients. + Induced resistance ‘+ Inacvation of the pathogen's enzymes ‘Taxonomy and genetics [Most Trichoderma strains have no sexual stage but instead produce only asexual spores. However, for a ‘few stains the sexual stage is known, but nat among stains that have usually been considered for biocontrol purposes. The sexual stage, when found, is within the Ascomycetes in the genus Hyposrea. ‘Traditional taxonomy was based upan diferences in morphology, primarily of the asexual sporulation ‘apparatus, but more molecular approaches are now being used. Consequently, the taxa recently have ‘gone from nina toa least thity-three species [Most strains are highly adapted to an asexual life cycle, nthe absence of meiosis, chromosome plastlty 's the norm, and diferent stains have diferent numbers and sizes of chromosomes, Most cols have ‘numerous nuclei, with some vegetative cells possessing more than 100. Various asexual genetic factors, ‘such as parasexual recombination, mutation and other processes contribute to variation between nucte in 4 single organism (thallus). Thus, the fungi are highly adaptable and evolve rapidly. There is great diversity in the genotype and phenotype of wld strains. While wld strains are highly adaptable and may be heterokaryotic (contain nucel of dissimilar genotype within a single organism) (and hence highly variable), strains used for biocontrol in commercial agricul are, or should be, homokaryotc (nuclei are all genetically similar or identical). This, coupled with tight Contra of variation through genetic drt, allows these commercial strains to be genetically distinct and ‘nonvariable. This isan extremely important qualty contral item for any company wishing to commercialize these organisms. SS Pathogens controlled ‘So far as the author Is aware, different stains of Trichoderma control every pathogenic fungus for which Control has been sought. However, most Trichoderma strains are more efficient for control of some pathogens than others, and may be largely ineffective against some fungi. The recent discovery in several Jabs that some strains induce plants to "tur on" their native defense mechanisms offers th lclhood that these strains also wil conrol pathogens other than fungi SS hitps:biocontro.entomology.comelledulpathogensitchoderma.php 25ars7i2024 Techoderma Life cycle Fungal thali are shown in the fgure atthe beginning ofthis web page. The organism grows and ramifes 2 typical fungal hyphae, 5 to 10 um in diameter. Asexual sporulation occurs as single-celled, usually ‘green, conidia (typically 3 to pm in clamater) that are released in large numbers. Intercalary resting ‘chlamydospores are also formed, these also are single celled, although two or more chlamydospores may be fused together. ES Pesticide susceptibility Trichoderma spp. possess innate resistance fo mast agricultural chemicals, including fungicides, although Indvidual strains differ in their resistance. Some tines have been selected of modified tobe resistant to specfc agricultural chemicals. Most manufacturers of Trichoderma stains for biological control have extensive sts of susceptbiliies or resistance toa range of pesticides. SS Uses of Trichoderma ‘These versatile fung) are used commercially in a variety of ways, including the folowing: Foods and textiles: Trichoderma spp. are highly ficient producers of many extracellular enzymes. They are used ‘commercially for production af collulases and other enzymes that degrade complex polysaccharides. They are frequently used in the food and texte industries for these purposes. For example, cellulases from ‘these fungl are used In “biostonin of denim fabrics to give rse to the soft, whitened fabric-stone-washed denim. The enzymes are also used in pouty feed to increase the digestibility of hemiceluloses from barley o ather crops. Biocontrol agents: [As noted, thase fungi are used, wih or without legal registration, for the contral of plant diseases. There are several reputable companies that manufacture government registered products. Some of these ‘companies aro listed al the end of his web page. This sito wll not knowingly lst any nonregistorad products or strain offered fr sale in commercial agriculture even though these products are common and {heir sale is widely ignored by governmental regulatory agencies. lant growth promotion: For many years, the ably ofthese fungi to increase the rate af plant growth and development, including, ‘especialy, their ability to cause the production of more robust roots has been known, The mechanisms for these abilties ae only ust now becoming known, ‘Some ofthese abities are likely to be quite profound. Recently, we have found that one strain increases the numbers of even deep roots (at as much as a meter below the gol surface). These deep roots cause Crops, such as com, and omamental plants, such as turfgrass, to become more resistant to drought Perhaps even mare important, our recent research incicates that com whose roots are colonized by Trichoderma strain T-22 requir about 40% loss nitrogen fertilizer than com whose roots lack the fungus. ‘Sinca nitrogen fertilizer use is Ikely to be curtalled by federal mandate to minimize damag and other oceanic environment (tere are a number of other sites on the web dealing with ths topic, ‘search for sites dealing with the ‘dead zone! the use ofthis organism may provide a method for farmers to retain high agricultural productivity while stil meeting new regulations likely to be Imposed. ioestuaties DFi9. 4 Ennanoed roat development from fld- ‘foun com and soybean plans asa consequence cofreot colonization by the mizosphere competent ‘tan T. hareanum 22 ig. Enhanced aa development om ls. roun com and soybean plats aa consequence oot alonzaton by he augur competi xin. harianum 122 Enhanced ot deeapmant probably is esnad bys cmbain of evra of he hitps:fbiocontro. entomology. comelledulpathogensitchoderma.php 35ars7i2024 Techoderma ‘ia Improved suv of poppe plants to ld as» consoqunee a bet rot development caused by growth of seedings Ine greentous In he presence of 722. The ad ote re picking of peppers was improved esa conseguencn,o own ‘As a source of transgenes. ‘Biocontrol microbes, almost by defniton, must contain a large numberof genes that encode products that ‘permit biocontrol to occur. Several genes have been cloned from Trichoderma spp. that offer great promise a transgenes to produce crops thal are resistant to plant diseases. No such genes are yel ‘commercially available, but a number are in development. These genes, which are contained in Trichoderma spp. and many other beneficial microbes, ae the basis for much of natural" organic crop protection and production ‘od Sol USASETI007005. General References “There are a numberof references that provide a wealth of information about these fungi. Some of these are listed below. ‘Monographs Kubicek, C.P. and Harman, G.E. 1998, Trichoderma and Gliocladium. Vol 1. Basic Biology, Taxonomy and Genetics, Taylor & Francis, London. 278 pg. Harman, 6. E. and Kubicek, C. P, 1998, Trichoderma and Gliocladium, Vol. 2, Enzymes, Biological Contro! ‘and Commercial Applications. Taylor & Francis, London. 393 pg, “The preceding two multi-author books contain most pertinent information on these fungi known through 1997. They can be purchased on the Amazon.com web site Other books ‘The fllowing books contain substantial amounts of information regarding biocontrol with Trichoderma, {and also include information on other topics, (Chet. 1987. Innovative Approaches to Plant Disease Control. Wiley-Intersclence, New York, 372 pa. ‘Lumsden, RD. and Vaughn, J. L, 1993, Pest Management: Biologicaly Based Technologies. Am. Chem, ‘Soc. 435 pg ‘Chet, I. 1993. Biotechnology in Plant Disease Control Wiley-Liss, New York, 373 pg Recent Papers hitps:biocontro.entomology.comelledulpathogensitchoderma.php a5ars7i2024 Techoderma Recently, there have been several papers published tht have substantially improved our understanding (of, and use of, Trichoderma spp. for bioconttol and related uses. Selected papers flow: New mechanisms of biocontrol ‘Allomare, C., Nowell, W.A., Bjorkman, T. and Harman, G. €. 1998, Solubilization of phosphates and rmicronutiens by he plant-growth promoting and biocontral fungus Trichoderma herzianum Ritsl 1295-22. ‘Appl. Env, Microbiol. 65:2826.2933, Elad, Y., and Kapat, A, 1999. The role of Trichoderma harzianum protease in the biocontrl of Botrytis cinerea. Eur J. Pant Pathol. 105:177-189. Howell, ©. R,, Hanson, L.E., Stpanevie, R.D., and Pucknaber, LS. 2000. Induction of terpenoid ‘synthesis in cotton roots and control of Rhizoctonia solani by seed treatment with Trichoderma vrens. Phytopathology 90:248-252, Yedicia, |, Benhamou, N., and Chet, |. 1999. Induction of defense responses in cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) by the biocontal agent Trichoderma harzianum. Appl. Envran, Microbiol, 85:1061- 1070. New uses and summaries of mechanisms of biocontrol Harman, G. E. 2000. The myths and dogmas of biocontvo: changes in perceptions derived from research fn Trichoderma harzianum strain T.22. Plant Disease 84 (n press, wil be published inthe Apr issue). Bolar, J, Norell J. L., Wong, K-W., Hayes, C. K, Harman, G.., and Aldwinckl, H. S.2000, Increased resistance to scab of endochitinase transgenic Melntosh apple ines. Phytopathology 80: 72-77 Lotte, M., Woo, SL, Garcia Fernandez, 1, Coluci, G., Harman, G.., Pintor-Tar, JA. Filppone, E, Muccitor, S., Lawrence, C, B, Zoin, A. Tuzun, Sand Scala, F, 1988. Genes irom mycoparsitc fungi asa source for improving plant resistance fo fungal pathogens. Proc. Nall Acad. Sti, USA 96:7860-7865. SS Links to commercial and related web sites ‘Companies with registered biocontrol products, or who are developing biocontrol products or uses, are ‘encouraged to contact the web master in order to become listed. However. this sito will not knowingly st ‘an address for any company that sels any Trichoderma-pased product far biocantrl or plant growth promotion that has not undergone governmental review for safely, efficacy or other requted evaluations ‘and that therefore sells a non-registered products) ‘tpt bioworksbiocontol com! ntpdtmowm bitdhybrids com! ntpubwwnumycotech com! Links to individu bs and organizations ‘Academic or private laboratories or other research organizations with web sites are encouraged to contact the web master In order to become Isted at this site SS Back to Pathogens Table of Contents EE ee Aagiclture and Life Science: © Comal University ome | Emergency Information |Contact CALS | Ste Map hitps:biocontro. entomology. comelledulpathogensitchoderma.php 55