Biocontrol Potential of Native <i>Trichoderma</i> Strains Toward Soil-Borne Phytopathogenic and Saprotrophic Fungi

The potential of <i>Trichoderma</i> fungi as biocontrol agents has not yet been fully explored, as there is a large repertoire of inter- and intra-species variation in their phytopathogenic antagonistic effects due to different adaptations of individual <i>Trichoderma</i> str...

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Main Authors: Kristina Atlagić, Tijana Cvetić Antić, Jovana Lukičić, Katarina Kruščić, Miroslav Živić, Nikola Unković, Tanja Pajić, Katarina Stevanović, Nataša V. Todorović
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/7/535
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author Kristina Atlagić
Tijana Cvetić Antić
Jovana Lukičić
Katarina Kruščić
Miroslav Živić
Nikola Unković
Tanja Pajić
Katarina Stevanović
Nataša V. Todorović
author_facet Kristina Atlagić
Tijana Cvetić Antić
Jovana Lukičić
Katarina Kruščić
Miroslav Živić
Nikola Unković
Tanja Pajić
Katarina Stevanović
Nataša V. Todorović
author_sort Kristina Atlagić
collection DOAJ
description The potential of <i>Trichoderma</i> fungi as biocontrol agents has not yet been fully explored, as there is a large repertoire of inter- and intra-species variation in their phytopathogenic antagonistic effects due to different adaptations of individual <i>Trichoderma</i> strains. In the present study, we investigated the biocontrol efficacy of eight native isolates of <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. against the soilborne phytopathogens <i>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</i> and <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i> and a representative of the Mucoromycota, <i>Phycomyces blakesleeanus</i>. An <i>in vitro</i> dual culture test showed a complete (100%) inhibition of <i>S. sclerotiorum</i> and <i>P. blakesleeanus</i> by each tested <i>Trichoderma</i> strain and a high (80–100%) inhibition of <i>R. solani</i>. The crude chloroform extracts, whose peptide contents were confirmed by thin-layer chromatography, caused a concentration-dependent reduction in the growth of the target fungi, with inhibition comparable to the effect of the peptaibol standard alamethicin. Despite the differences between fungi from the phyla Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, and Mucoromycota, their inhibition by alamethicin followed the same dose–response dependence. The growth inhibition of <i>P. blakesleeanus</i> induced by <i>Trichoderma</i> extracts was characterized by a significantly increased activity of antioxidative defense enzymes. Both variants of biocontrol agents, the native strains of <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. and their extracts, are efficient in controlling fungal growth and should be considered for the development of new potent bioformulations applicable in agriculture.
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spelling doaj-art-32da191ad256414eb29bbb7bbd6cfbf92025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2025-07-0111753510.3390/jof11070535Biocontrol Potential of Native <i>Trichoderma</i> Strains Toward Soil-Borne Phytopathogenic and Saprotrophic FungiKristina Atlagić0Tijana Cvetić Antić1Jovana Lukičić2Katarina Kruščić3Miroslav Živić4Nikola Unković5Tanja Pajić6Katarina Stevanović7Nataša V. Todorović8University of Belgrade—Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11158 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade—Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11158 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade—Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11158 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade—Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11158 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade—Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11158 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade—Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11158 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade—Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11158 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade—Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11158 Belgrade, SerbiaInstitute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaThe potential of <i>Trichoderma</i> fungi as biocontrol agents has not yet been fully explored, as there is a large repertoire of inter- and intra-species variation in their phytopathogenic antagonistic effects due to different adaptations of individual <i>Trichoderma</i> strains. In the present study, we investigated the biocontrol efficacy of eight native isolates of <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. against the soilborne phytopathogens <i>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</i> and <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i> and a representative of the Mucoromycota, <i>Phycomyces blakesleeanus</i>. An <i>in vitro</i> dual culture test showed a complete (100%) inhibition of <i>S. sclerotiorum</i> and <i>P. blakesleeanus</i> by each tested <i>Trichoderma</i> strain and a high (80–100%) inhibition of <i>R. solani</i>. The crude chloroform extracts, whose peptide contents were confirmed by thin-layer chromatography, caused a concentration-dependent reduction in the growth of the target fungi, with inhibition comparable to the effect of the peptaibol standard alamethicin. Despite the differences between fungi from the phyla Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, and Mucoromycota, their inhibition by alamethicin followed the same dose–response dependence. The growth inhibition of <i>P. blakesleeanus</i> induced by <i>Trichoderma</i> extracts was characterized by a significantly increased activity of antioxidative defense enzymes. Both variants of biocontrol agents, the native strains of <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. and their extracts, are efficient in controlling fungal growth and should be considered for the development of new potent bioformulations applicable in agriculture.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/7/535biocontrol<i>Trichoderma</i>peptaibol<i>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</i><i>Rhizoctonia solani</i><i>Phycomyces blakesleeanus</i>
spellingShingle Kristina Atlagić
Tijana Cvetić Antić
Jovana Lukičić
Katarina Kruščić
Miroslav Živić
Nikola Unković
Tanja Pajić
Katarina Stevanović
Nataša V. Todorović
Biocontrol Potential of Native <i>Trichoderma</i> Strains Toward Soil-Borne Phytopathogenic and Saprotrophic Fungi
Journal of Fungi
biocontrol
<i>Trichoderma</i>
peptaibol
<i>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</i>
<i>Rhizoctonia solani</i>
<i>Phycomyces blakesleeanus</i>
title Biocontrol Potential of Native <i>Trichoderma</i> Strains Toward Soil-Borne Phytopathogenic and Saprotrophic Fungi
title_full Biocontrol Potential of Native <i>Trichoderma</i> Strains Toward Soil-Borne Phytopathogenic and Saprotrophic Fungi
title_fullStr Biocontrol Potential of Native <i>Trichoderma</i> Strains Toward Soil-Borne Phytopathogenic and Saprotrophic Fungi
title_full_unstemmed Biocontrol Potential of Native <i>Trichoderma</i> Strains Toward Soil-Borne Phytopathogenic and Saprotrophic Fungi
title_short Biocontrol Potential of Native <i>Trichoderma</i> Strains Toward Soil-Borne Phytopathogenic and Saprotrophic Fungi
title_sort biocontrol potential of native i trichoderma i strains toward soil borne phytopathogenic and saprotrophic fungi
topic biocontrol
<i>Trichoderma</i>
peptaibol
<i>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</i>
<i>Rhizoctonia solani</i>
<i>Phycomyces blakesleeanus</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/7/535
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