Antagonism of Trichoderma viride and effects of extracted water soluble compounds from Trichoderma species and benlate solution on Ceratocystis paradoxa

Trichoderma viride was identified as a mycoparasite against Ceratocystis paradoxa. When grown near the pathogen, T. viride was seen entwining around the pathogen mycelium. It was stimulated toproduce branches that grew directly to the pathogen mycelium. Firm attachment on the pathogen conidia resulted in the penetration and successful growth of T. viride. Some of the impregnated C.paradoxa were found death. Benlate solution and extracted water-soluble compounds from Trichoderma species were evaluated for the control of C. paradoxa. Trichoderma polysporum significantly reduced the growth of C. paradoxa at high concentrations (100% and 70%) followed by T. viride, T. hamatum, T. aureoviride and benlate solution recorded average performances. At (50, 30 and 10%) low concentrations, they all recorded poor performances. Minimum inhibitory concentration by T. viride was 10%, T. polysporum 25%, T. hamatum and T. aureoviride were 30% each, and benlatesolution remained 50%. T. polysporum exhibited better control of the pathogen when compared with other extracted water soluble compounds from Trichoderma species and benlate solution

Effect of metabolites produced by Trichoderma species against Ceratocystis paradoxa in culture medium

Metabolites released from Trichoderma viride, T. polysporum, T. hamatum and T. aureoviride were tested in culture medium against Ceratocystis paradoxa, which causes black seed rot in oil palm sprouted seeds. The Trichoderma metabolites had similar fungistatic effects on the growth of C.paradoxa except those from T. aureoviride. The inhibition varied depending on the Trichoderma species producing the metabolites; from 2.0% to 64% in volatile, 0.0% to 74% in non-volatile and 0.0% to 81% from direct-diffusible metabolites. C. paradoxa growth was significantly reduced in the presence ofmetabolites produced by T. viride and T. polysporum than the other species. T. aureoviride had the least growth inhibition, and medium containing direct-diffusible metabolite supported highest inhibition of C. paradox

Biology and biotechnology of Trichoderma

Fungi of the genus Trichoderma are soilborne, green-spored ascomycetes that can be found all over the world. They have been studied with respect to various characteristics and applications and are known as successful colonizers of their habitats, efficiently fighting their competitors. Once established, they launch their potent degradative machinery for decomposition of the often heterogeneous substrate at hand. Therefore, distribution and phylogeny, defense mechanisms, beneficial as well as deleterious interaction with hosts, enzyme production and secretion, sexual development, and response to environmental conditions such as nutrients and light have been studied in great detail with many species of this genus, thus rendering Trichoderma one of the best studied fungi with the genome of three species currently available. Efficient biocontrol strains of the genus are being developed as promising biological fungicides, and their weaponry for this function also includes secondary metabolites with potential applications as novel antibiotics. The cellulases produced by Trichoderma reesei, the biotechnological workhorse of the genus, are important industrial products, especially with respect to production of second generation biofuels from cellulosic waste. Genetic engineering not only led to significant improvements in industrial processes but also to intriguing insights into the biology of these fungi and is now complemented by the availability of a sexual cycle in T. reesei/Hypocrea jecorina, which significantly facilitates both industrial and basic research. This review aims to give a broad overview on the qualities and versatility of the best studied Trichoderma species and to highlight intriguing findings as well as promising applications

Insect Larva: The Culture Medium for Fungi Storage

The culture medium of Oryctes monoceros larva has nutrient composition and significant quantities of mineral elements required for fungi growth. The presence of these major mineral elements such as Na, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Fe and Cu in the larva served as growth factor. The present study was carried out to examine the effect of culture media of O. monoceros larva and potato dextrose agar (PDA) in supporting growth and sporulation of fungi. The O. monoceros larva medium best supported growth and sporulation of Ceratocystis paradoxa (3.52), Glomerella cingulata (3.15), Trichoderma harzianum (4.80), Fusarium oxysporium (4.52) and Byssochlamys nivea (3.32) while potato dextrose agar was less suitable for growth and sporulation of C. paradoxa (2.30), G. cingulata (1.83), T. harzianum (3.41), F. oxysporium (2.72) and B. nivea (2.36) in spores/ml two weeks after incubation. However, six months after incubation PDA medium best supported growth and sporulation when compared with less suitable O. monoceros depleted medium. The ability of these fungi to break down the oil content in the larva for utilization means it could probably form a base for new culture medium for fungi storage. The cost of O. monoceros is cheaper compared with PDA. In the absence of PDA, O. monoceros would be the alternative medium for fungi storage