Molecular characterization of Trichoderma spp. isolates in mushroom‐growing farms in Turkey and their effects on Agaricus bisporus production

Abstract

Mushroom production is highly affected by green mould disease, which causes severe losses worldwide. This study aimed to characterize Trichoderma spp. isolates collected from Agaricus bisporus‐ and Pleurotus ostreatus‐growing facilities based on their molecular features and evaluate their aggressiveness in mushroom production in vitro and in vivo. Fifty‐six Trichoderma isolates from mushroom farms in Aegean and Marmara regions were analysed for molecular characteristics. In a phylogenetic tree constructed based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and tef1 sequences, they were classified into five groups, which included Trichoderma spp. such as T. aggressivum, T. europaeum, T. pleuroticola, T. virens, T. harzianum and T. afroharzianum. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that tef1 sequences could distinguish between T. aggressivum f. aggressivum and T. aggressivum f. europaeum more specifically. Consequently, tef1 sequence variation identified 15 T. aggressivum f. europaeum isolates compared with ITS sequence variation. In vitro conditions based on the dual‐culture tests of the mycelial growth of A. bisporus showed growth inhibition between 50% and 75% depending on the isolates. Two Trichoderma isolates with different ITS and tef1 sequences (3/9 and 7/5 isolates, respectively) and more lytic and mycoparasitic activities were analysed further to determine their effects on yield and mushroom quality parameters. Therefore, T. aggressivum f. aggressivum is not the only species that affects mushroom production, and T. aggressivum f. aggressivum and T. aggressivum f. europaeum isolates significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited A. bisporus growth in vitro and in vivo.

Identification of a pathogen causing fruiting body rot of Sanghuangporus vaninii

“…Trichoderma green mold in edible basidiomycetes has been well known for some time ( Hatvani et al, 2012 ). Among the most significant diseases affecting the most commonly cultivated mushrooms worldwide, such as P. ostreatus and A. bisporus , are those caused by some Trichoderma species, including T. guizhouense , T. harzianum , T. pleuroticola , and T. aggressivum ( Bisset et al, 2015 ; Chaverri et al, 2015 ; Kosanovic, Grogan & Kavanagh, 2020 ; Turgay et al, 2023 ). However, T. virens has been rarely reported to infect edible basidiomycetes.…”

Bacillus sp. alone or combined with salicylic acid inhibited Trichoderma spp. infection on harvested white Hypsizygus marmoreus

“…isolates share similar optimal growth conditions to those of mushrooms, it is infeasible to adjust pH value or temperature to control green mold disease ( Wang et al, 2022 ). The release of this kind of pathogen during mushroom transportation and storage, as well as its effects on long-term mushroom quality, are uncertain ( Turgay et al, 2023 ). Traditionally, chemicals like prochloraz-manganese chloride complex and propiconazole were considered effective in inhibiting the pathogen and controlling postharvest disease in mushrooms, however, exposure to these chemicals raises toxicological concerns for humans, animals, and the environment ( Zeng et al, 2022 ).…”