Trichoderma harzianum sensu lato TSM39: A wheat microbiome fungus that mitigates spot blotch disease of wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum) caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana

Eber Villa-Rodriguez, Cristina Lugo-Enríquez, Shaun Ferguson, Fannie Isela Parra-Cota, Luis Alberto Cira-Chávez, Sergio de los Santos-Villalobos*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Bipolaris sorokiniana - the causal agent of wheat spot blotch - is an emerging phytopathogenic fungus in the Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico. At present, its control relies on the use of harmful chemicals, partly due to the lack of effective alternatives. Thus, this work aimed to identify and characterize indigenous wheat-associated fungal strains with biocontrol capacity against B. sorokiniana that can be integrated into control strategies for spot blotch management. Out of 59 fungal strains evaluated, we identified 5 strains with antagonistic activity against B. sorokiniana by dual confrontation assay, and these were taxonomically assigned as Trichoderma harzianum sensu lato (strains TSM39 and TSO39), Aspergillus terreus (strains TRQ89 and TRQ93), and Aspergillus nidulans (strain TRQ83) based on phylogenetic analysis using the ITS region of the rRNA cistron. Trichoderma harzianum TSM39 showed interesting biological control traits (i.e., strong antagonistic activity, high growth rate, non-cytotoxicity) and its application to wheat plants - under highly conducive conditions for spot blotch outbreak- resulted in a significant reduction of disease severity. In vitro experiments revealed that the chitinolytic system of strain TSM39 responds to B. sorokiniana lysates (signals), which could have potential biotechnological applications to improve its biocontrol activity. Additionally, a solid-state fermentation system was successfully established for spore production of strain TSM39. Taken together, Trichoderma harzianum sensu lato TSM39 is a biocontrol agent against B. sorokiniana with the potential to be integrated into spot blotch management strategies and contribute to the sustainability of the region.

Original languageEnglish
Article number105055
JournalBiological Control
Volume175
Number of pages10
ISSN1049-9644
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2022

Keywords

  • Biocontrol
  • Biological control
  • Biopesticide
  • Cochliobolus sativus
  • Trichoderma
  • Yaqui valley

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