Trichoderma: Advent of Versatile Biocontrol Agent, Its Secrets and Insights into Mechanism of Biocontrol Potential

Abstract

Trichoderma is an important biocontrol agent for managing plant diseases. Trichoderma species are members of the fungal genus hyphomycetes, which is widely distributed in soil. It can function as a biocontrol agent as well as a growth promoter. Trichoderma species are now frequently used as biological control agents (BCAs) to combat a wide range of plant diseases. Major plant diseases have been successfully managed due to their application. Trichoderma spp. is being extensively researched in order to enhance its effectiveness as a top biocontrol agent. The activation of numerous regulatory mechanisms is the major factor in Trichoderma ability to manage plant diseases. Trichoderma-based biocontrol methods include nutrient competition, mycoparasitism, the synthesis of antibiotic and hydrolytic enzymes, and induced plant resistance. Trichoderma species may synthesize a variety of secondary metabolites that can successfully inhibit the activity of numerous plant diseases. GPCRs (G protein-coupled receptors) are membrane-bound receptors that sense and transmit environmental inputs that affect fungal secondary metabolism. Related intracellular signalling pathways also play a role in this process. Secondary metabolites produced by Trichoderma can activate disease-fighting mechanisms within plants and protect against pathogens. β- Glucuronidase (GUS), green fluorescent protein (gfp), hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hygB), and producing genes are examples of exogenous markers that could be used to identify and track specific Trichoderma isolates in agro-ecosystems. More than sixty percent of the biofungicides now on the market are derived from Trichoderma species. These fungi protect plants from harmful plant diseases by developing resistance. Additionally, they can solubilize plant nutrients to boost plant growth and bioremediate environmental contaminants through mechanisms, including mycoparasitism and antibiosis. Enzymes produced by the genus Trichoderma are frequently used in industry. This review article intends to provide an overview update (from 1975 to 2022) of the Trichoderma biocontrol fungi, as well as information on key secondary metabolites, genes, and interactions with plant diseases.

The inhibition of Fusarium wilt in Chili by Endophytic Fungi isolated from Green Betel (Piper betle L.) Leaf

“…According to research by Nazia Manzar et al 2022, mycoparasitism can play a role in antagonism interactions by producing cell wall degrading enzymes to attack fungi specifically. Differences in growth rates cause inhibition due to competition for nutrients and space [3]. The highest to lowest values are based on data on the average percentage of inhibition that has been statistically tested with the SPSS program.…”

“…Based on research in F. sambucinum, it optimizes the thickening of the cell wall so that it becomes more compact. Thick hyphae cells are a defense when facing T. harzianum, so it takes longer to kill the host during mycoparasitism [2], [3].…”

“…Previous research showed that green betel leaf extract was able to inhibit the growth of the fungus F. oxyporum with an inhibition of 76.11% [3]. Nevertheless, studies on the endophytic fungi from green betel leaf against the pathogen F. oxyporum in vitro have never been carried out.…”

Fungi That Promote Plant Growth in the Rhizosphere Boost Crop Growth

“…Majorly, 90% of the strains of Trichoderma spp. are employed in crop protection to control plant diseases through antagonistic features elicited by the fungi against phytopathogens [ 176 ]. The potential of their application as a BCA on farmland is estimated on the input cost and proportion to the production of crops.…”

Internal flat-plate airlift cylindrical reactor for the degradation of newspaper using Trichoderma reesei: characterization of hydrodynamics parameters

“…In addition, Trichoderma spp. is used microbial inoculant in the biotechnological and environmental industries, for example, in biological control, plant growth, the bioremediation process, and currently the degradation waste process (Manzar et al 2022). Trichoderma reesei is one of the more applied species because of its ability to generate enzymes (cellulases, hemicellulases, and chitinases, among other) capable of degrading organic waste, so it can contribute to mineralization and the reuse of waste (Novy et al 2019;Hernández-Melchor et al 2019).…”