Bioprospecting and mechanistic insights of Trichoderma spp. for suppression of Ganoderma-induced basal stem rot in oil palm

PurposeBasal stem rot (BSR), with Ganoderma spp. as the principal causative agent, is an important oil palm disease, leading to significant stand loss and reduced yield potential. The use of antagonistic fungi, particularly Trichoderma spp., offers a sustainable approach to disease suppression throu...

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Main Authors: M. Amrutha Lakshmi, M. Indraja, Udai B. Singh, A. R. N. S. Subanna, G. K Challa, Ritu Mawar, W. P. Dauda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1582047/full
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author M. Amrutha Lakshmi
M. Indraja
Udai B. Singh
A. R. N. S. Subanna
G. K Challa
Ritu Mawar
W. P. Dauda
author_facet M. Amrutha Lakshmi
M. Indraja
Udai B. Singh
A. R. N. S. Subanna
G. K Challa
Ritu Mawar
W. P. Dauda
author_sort M. Amrutha Lakshmi
collection DOAJ
description PurposeBasal stem rot (BSR), with Ganoderma spp. as the principal causative agent, is an important oil palm disease, leading to significant stand loss and reduced yield potential. The use of antagonistic fungi, particularly Trichoderma spp., offers a sustainable approach to disease suppression through hyperparasitism, antibiosis, and rhizosphere competence. However, strain-dependent variability in antagonistic potential necessitates the selection of the most efficacious isolates for integrated BSR management. Here we show that T. afroharzianum exhibits superior antagonism against Ganoderma spp., in dual culture, inverted plate assay as well as cellfiltrate assays.MethodsFrom 50 Trichoderma isolates screened, 12 highly mycoparasitic strains (>80% Ganoderma suppression) were selected. To enhance applicability under field conditions, the selected strains were further evaluated against co-occurring soil-borne pathogens commonly associated with oil palm decline.ResultsT. afroharzianum exhibited hydrolytic enzyme secretion (chitinase, cellulase, and pectinase), solubilized key macronutrients, and suppressed multiple soil-borne phytopathogens including Rhizoctonia solani, R. bataticola, Fusarium solani, Lasiodeplodia theobromae Colletotrichum gleosporoides and Curvularia lunata. A tailored Trichoderma consortium achieved 61.94% disease suppression, reduced foliar and bole severity by 48.59 and 20.22%, respectively, and increased plant height (47.59 ± 2.52 cm) and shoot fresh weight (15.83 ± 0.80 g).Implications/conclusionThese findings establish T. afroharzianum as a promising biocontrol agent for BSR suppression through multiple mechanisms, including competitive exclusion and pathogen inhibition. The results support its potential for field deployment as part of an integrated, climate-resilient disease management strategy in oil palm cultivation.
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spelling doaj-art-9bb26995e901498eb5d87e37ae761c5a2025-08-20T03:28:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-07-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15820471582047Bioprospecting and mechanistic insights of Trichoderma spp. for suppression of Ganoderma-induced basal stem rot in oil palmM. Amrutha Lakshmi0M. Indraja1Udai B. Singh2A. R. N. S. Subanna3G. K Challa4Ritu Mawar5W. P. Dauda6ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi, IndiaICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi, IndiaICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganism, Mau, IndiaICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi, IndiaICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi, IndiaICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, IndiaCrop Science Unit, Department of Agronomy, Federal University Gashua, Gashua, NigeriaPurposeBasal stem rot (BSR), with Ganoderma spp. as the principal causative agent, is an important oil palm disease, leading to significant stand loss and reduced yield potential. The use of antagonistic fungi, particularly Trichoderma spp., offers a sustainable approach to disease suppression through hyperparasitism, antibiosis, and rhizosphere competence. However, strain-dependent variability in antagonistic potential necessitates the selection of the most efficacious isolates for integrated BSR management. Here we show that T. afroharzianum exhibits superior antagonism against Ganoderma spp., in dual culture, inverted plate assay as well as cellfiltrate assays.MethodsFrom 50 Trichoderma isolates screened, 12 highly mycoparasitic strains (>80% Ganoderma suppression) were selected. To enhance applicability under field conditions, the selected strains were further evaluated against co-occurring soil-borne pathogens commonly associated with oil palm decline.ResultsT. afroharzianum exhibited hydrolytic enzyme secretion (chitinase, cellulase, and pectinase), solubilized key macronutrients, and suppressed multiple soil-borne phytopathogens including Rhizoctonia solani, R. bataticola, Fusarium solani, Lasiodeplodia theobromae Colletotrichum gleosporoides and Curvularia lunata. A tailored Trichoderma consortium achieved 61.94% disease suppression, reduced foliar and bole severity by 48.59 and 20.22%, respectively, and increased plant height (47.59 ± 2.52 cm) and shoot fresh weight (15.83 ± 0.80 g).Implications/conclusionThese findings establish T. afroharzianum as a promising biocontrol agent for BSR suppression through multiple mechanisms, including competitive exclusion and pathogen inhibition. The results support its potential for field deployment as part of an integrated, climate-resilient disease management strategy in oil palm cultivation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1582047/fullGanoderma spp.Trichoderma afroharzianumantifungal mechanismgrowth promotionmolecular phylogeny
spellingShingle M. Amrutha Lakshmi
M. Indraja
Udai B. Singh
A. R. N. S. Subanna
G. K Challa
Ritu Mawar
W. P. Dauda
Bioprospecting and mechanistic insights of Trichoderma spp. for suppression of Ganoderma-induced basal stem rot in oil palm
Frontiers in Nutrition
Ganoderma spp.
Trichoderma afroharzianum
antifungal mechanism
growth promotion
molecular phylogeny
title Bioprospecting and mechanistic insights of Trichoderma spp. for suppression of Ganoderma-induced basal stem rot in oil palm
title_full Bioprospecting and mechanistic insights of Trichoderma spp. for suppression of Ganoderma-induced basal stem rot in oil palm
title_fullStr Bioprospecting and mechanistic insights of Trichoderma spp. for suppression of Ganoderma-induced basal stem rot in oil palm
title_full_unstemmed Bioprospecting and mechanistic insights of Trichoderma spp. for suppression of Ganoderma-induced basal stem rot in oil palm
title_short Bioprospecting and mechanistic insights of Trichoderma spp. for suppression of Ganoderma-induced basal stem rot in oil palm
title_sort bioprospecting and mechanistic insights of trichoderma spp for suppression of ganoderma induced basal stem rot in oil palm
topic Ganoderma spp.
Trichoderma afroharzianum
antifungal mechanism
growth promotion
molecular phylogeny
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1582047/full
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