Native Trichoderma Isolates from Soil and Rootstock to Fusarium spp. Control and Growth Promotion of Humulus lupulus L. Plantlets

Abstract

Fusarium genus is a wide host phytopathogen causing significant losses in multiple crops, including hops. There is limited information on the sustainable management of Fusarium spp. in hop fields. Trichoderma is an endophytic fungus used in agriculture as a biological control agent (BCA) and as a plant growth promoter. It has been used to antagonize Fusarium spp. in other crops. The objective of the current study was to identify indigenous hop field Trichoderma isolates with biocontrol and hop growth promotion capabilities. Three isolates of Fusarium and eleven autochthonous Trichoderma isolates collected from sustainable hop fields were evaluated in this work. Direct confrontation tests (the physical interaction between the pathogen and BCA and their competition for space and nutrient resources) and membrane tests (the capacity of the BCA to produce metabolites or enzymes through a cellophane film and inhibit the development of the pathogen) assessed the antagonism of these Trichoderma isolates against Fusarium culmorum, F. sambucinum, and F. oxysporum. A bioassay with hop plantlets inoculated with a spore suspension of Trichoderma was performed to assess its hop growth enhancement. T. hamatum (T311 and T324), T. virens T312, and T. gamsii T327 showed high growth inhibition of Fusarium spp. phytopathogens and high plant growth promotion. Native Trichoderma isolates from sustainable hop-producing soils have great potential as BCAs and hop growth promoters.

Trichoderma carraovejensis: a new species from vineyard ecosystem with biocontrol abilities against grapevine trunk disease pathogens and ecological adaptation

“…The best results were obtained for D. seriata , with an inhibition percentage of 34.08%, followed by P. minimum with 21.04% inhibition, and the lowest value was obtained by P. chlamydospora with 15.34%. These data show a lower relevance of mycoparasitism observed by Trichoderma compared with other studies, where inhibition data are collected approximately 5 days after inoculation ( Mayo et al., 2015 ; Porteous-Álvarez et al., 2023 ). This could most probably be due to the low temperature used, below the optimal for T .…”

Antifungal mechanism of cell-free supernatant produced by Trichoderma virens and its efficacy for the control of pear Valsa canker

“…However, this may be suboptimal in fungicides because of the escalating resistance and environmental implications. Recent advancements in microorganisms as green alternatives for controlling plant pathogens have facilitated the successful development and commercialization of specific strains of Trichoderma for application in agriculture and industry ( Busato et al, 2020 ; Porteous-Álvarez et al, 2023 ). Trichoderma and its metabolites are promising interventions due to their antimicrobial effects against pathogenic cells.…”

Combining Zinc Biofortification and Native Trichoderma Inoculation Strategies for Subterranean Clover

“…Integrating agronomic biofortification to increase the nutrient content of T. subterraneum with the application of native Trichoderma isolates to stimulate plant growth and manage soil-borne pathogens could enhance pasture sustainability. Thus, the use of native Trichoderma isolates as natural biofortification agents underscores the potential for environmentally friendly and cost-effective agricultural strategies [32]. This approach would not only improve the nutritional quality of forage crops but also increase plant resilience and productivity through biocontrol mechanisms.…”