Trichoderma harzianum MTCC 5179 impacts the population and functional dynamics of microbial community in the rhizosphere of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Metagenomics approaches in unveiling the dynamics of Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms (PGPM) vis-à-vis Phytophthora sp. suppression in various crop ecological systems

Phytophthora species are destructive pathogens causing yield losses in different ecological systems, such as potato, black pepper, pepper, avocado, citrus, and tobacco. The diversity of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) plays a crucial role in disease suppression. Knowledge of metagenomics approaches is essential for assessing the dynamics of PGPM and Phytophthora species across various ecosystems, facilitating effective management strategies for better crop protection. This review discusses the dynamic interplay between PGPM and Phytophthora sp. using metagenomics approaches that sheds light on the potential of PGPM strains tailored to specific crop ecosystems to bolster pathogen suppressiveness.

Genome-wide fitness profiling reveals molecular mechanisms that bacteria use to interact with Trichoderma atroviride exometabolites

Trichoderma spp. are ubiquitous rhizosphere fungi capable of producing several classes of secondary metabolites that can modify the dynamics of the plant-associated microbiome. However, the bacterial-fungal mechanisms that mediate these interactions have not been fully characterized. Here, a random barcode transposon-site sequencing (RB-TnSeq) approach was employed to identify bacterial genes important for fitness in the presence of Trichoderma atroviride exudates. We selected three rhizosphere bacteria with RB-TnSeq mutant libraries that can promote plant growth: the nitrogen fixers Klebsiella michiganensis M5aI and Herbaspirillum seropedicae SmR1, and Pseudomonas simiae WCS417. As a non-rhizosphere species, Pseudomonas putida KT2440 was also included. From the RB-TnSeq data, nitrogen-fixing bacteria competed mainly for iron and required the siderophore transport system TonB/ExbB for optimal fitness in the presence of T. atroviride exudates. In contrast, P. simiae and P. putida were highly dependent on mechanisms associated with membrane lipid modification that are required for resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs). A mutant in the Hog1-MAP kinase (Δtmk3) gene of T. atroviride showed altered expression patterns of many nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) biosynthetic gene clusters with potential antibiotic activity. In contrast to exudates from wild-type T. atroviride, bacterial mutants containing lesions in genes associated with resistance to antibiotics did not show fitness defects when RB-TnSeq libraries were exposed to exudates from the Δtmk3 mutant. Unexpectedly, exudates from wild-type T. atroviride and the Δtmk3 mutant rescued purine auxotrophic mutants of H. seropedicae, K. michiganensis and P. simiae. Metabolomic analysis on exudates from wild-type T. atroviride and the Δtmk3 mutant showed that both strains excrete purines and complex metabolites; functional Tmk3 is required to produce some of these metabolites. This study highlights the complex interplay between Trichoderma-metabolites and soil bacteria, revealing both beneficial and antagonistic effects, and underscoring the intricate and multifaceted nature of this relationship.

Trichoderma Species: Our Best Fungal Allies in the Biocontrol of Plant Diseases-A Review

Biocontrol agents (BCA) have been an important tool in agriculture to prevent crop losses due to plant pathogens infections and to increase plant food production globally, diminishing the necessity for chemical pesticides and fertilizers and offering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option. Fungi from the genus Trichoderma are among the most used and studied microorganisms as BCA due to the variety of biocontrol traits, such as parasitism, antibiosis, secondary metabolites (SM) production, and plant defense system induction. Several Trichoderma species are well-known mycoparasites. However, some of those species can antagonize other organisms such as nematodes and plant pests, making this fungus a very versatile BCA. Trichoderma has been used in agriculture as part of innovative bioformulations, either just Trichoderma species or in combination with other plant-beneficial microbes, such as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). Here, we review the most recent literature regarding the biocontrol studies about six of the most used Trichoderma species, T. atroviride, T. harzianum, T. asperellum, T. virens, T. longibrachiatum, and T. viride, highlighting their biocontrol traits and the use of these fungal genera in Trichoderma-based formulations to control or prevent plant diseases, and their importance as a substitute for chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Effect of a Wood-Based Carrier of Trichoderma atroviride SC1 on the Microorganisms of the Soil

Wood pellets can sustain the growth of Trichoderma spp. in soil; however, little is known about their side effects on the microbiota. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of wood pellets on the growth of Trichoderma spp. in bulk soil and on the soil microbial population's composition and diversity. Trichoderma atroviride SC1 coated wood pellets and non-coated pellets were applied at the level of 10 g∙kg-1 of soil and at the final concentration of 5 × 103 conidia∙g-1 of soil and compared to a conidial suspension applied at the same concentration without the wood carrier. Untreated bulk soil served as a control. The non-coated wood pellets increased the total Trichoderma spp. population throughout the experiment (estimated as colony-forming unit g-1 of soil), while wood pellets coated with T. atroviride SC1 did not. The wood carrier increased the richness, and temporarily decreased the diversity, of the bacterial population, with Massilia being the most abundant bacterial genus, while it decreased both the richness and diversity of the fungal community. Wood pellets selectively increased fungal species having biocontrol potential, such as Mortierella, Cladorrhinum, and Stachybotrys, which confirms the suitability of such carriers of Trichoderma spp. for soil application.

Microbiome Fingerprint as Biomarker for Geographical Origin and Heredity in Crocus sativus: A Feasibility Study

Host–microbiome interactions are specific and not random, making them defining entities for the host. The hypothesis proposed by various researchers earlier, that both plants and animals harbor specific inheritable core microbiome, is being augmented in the present study. Additionally, a case for using microbial fingerprint as a biomarker, not only for plant identification but also as a geographical indicator, has been investigated, taking Crocus sativus, saffron, as a study material. Crocus sativus, a monogenetic herb, on account of its male sterility and vegetative propagation, is reported to lack genome based molecular markers. Cormosphere microbiome (microbiome associated with corm) has been compared across three geographical locations, in two continents, to identify the core and unique microbiome, during the vegetative phase of its growth. Microbiome analysis done at phylum and genus level, using next generation sequencing technology, revealed that cormosphere at three locations harbored common phyla. At genus level, 24 genera were found common to all three geographical locations, indicating them to be part of the core microbiome of saffron. However, there were some bacterial genera unique to Kashmir, Kishtwar, and Morocco that can be used to develop microbial markers/geographical indicators for saffron grown in these regions. This is a preliminary study, indicating that the location specific bacterial community can be used to develop microbial barcodes but needs further augmentation with high coverage data from other saffron growing geographical regions.

Metagenomic profiling of rhizosphere microbial community structure and diversity associated with maize plant as affected by cropping systems

Soil microbial diversity is believed to be vital in maintaining soil quality and health. Limited knowledge exists on the impact of cropping systems (mono-cropping and crop rotation) on the diversity of the whole soil microbiome. In this study, we investigated the effects of two cropping systems, namely crop rotation and mono-cropping, on the community structure and diversity of rhizosphere microbiome in the rhizosphere and bulk soil associated with maize plant using shotgun metagenomics. Whole DNA was extracted from bulk, and rhizosphere soils associated with maize plant from the mono-cropping (LT and LTc) and crop rotation (VD and VDc) sites, respectively, and sequenced employing shotgun metagenomics. The results obtained via the Subsystem database showed 23 bacteria, 2 fungi, and 3 archaea most abundant phyla. The major bacterial phyla are Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Acidobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Spirochaetes, Aquificae, Verrucomicrobia, Chloroflexi, Planctomycetes, and Chlorobi. The major fungi phyla observed were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, while the dominant archaea phyla are Euryarchaeota, Thaumarchaeota, and Crenarchaeota. Our diversity assessment showed that the rhizosphere microbial community was more abundant in the samples from the rotational crop site following VD>VDc>LT>LTc. Alpha diversity showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the soil microbial communities (P>0.05), while better diversity indicated that a significant difference (P = 0.01) occurred. Taken together, crop rotational practice was found to positively influence the rhizosphere microbial community associated with the maize plant.

Seed coating as a delivery system for the endophyte Trichoderma koningiopsis Th003 in rice (Oryza sativa)

Seed coating is a technique to cover seeds with external agents to upgrade their performance, handling, and plant establishment. Plant beneficial microbes (PBMs), such as plant growth-promoting bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, and other fungi (e.g., Trichoderma spp.), decrease agrochemical inputs, enhance tolerance to biotic-abiotic stresses, and increase essential plant nutrition. The demand for pre-treated seeds as delivery systems for biological agents is advancing. Here, a seed coating formulation containing Trichoderma koningiopsis is presented. The physicochemical and biological characterization of the seed coating prototypes included drying protector screening, the effect of the inoculum concentration on survival, the assessment of microbial release profiles in soil extract, and plant tissue colonization capability under semi-controlled conditions. Gelatine and pectin, two of the tested drying protectors, maintained fungus germination after 60 days at 18 °C with significantly higher values of up to 38% compared with the control. The initial concentration of 10⁶ colony-forming units (CFU) per seed undergoes a positive effect on survival over time. Regarding plant tissue colonization, the fungus establishes endophytically in rice. In conclusion, seed coating is a promising alternative for the formulation of beneficial microbial agents such as Trichoderma sp., maintaining cell survival and further promoting the establishment in rice systems.Key points• Enhancing drying survival of T. koningiopsis formulates• Seed coating formulation approach for T. koningiopsis in rice• Colonization capacity of formulated T. koningiopsis in rice tissue.

Inhibitory mechanism of 6-Pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one secreted by Trichoderma atroviride T2 against Cylindrocarpon destructans

Root rot caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans is one of the most devastating diseases of Panax notoginseng, and Trichoderma species are potential agents for the biocontrol of fungal diseases. Thus, we screened a total of 10 Trichoderma isolates against C. destructans and selected Trichoderma atroviride T2 as an antagonistic strain for further research. 6-Pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one (6PP) was identified as an important active metabolite in the fermentation broth of the strain and exhibited antifungal activity against C. destructans. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses showed that 6PP significantly disturbed the metabolic homeostasis of C. destructans, particularly the metabolism of amino acids. By constructing a gene coexpression network, ECHS1 was identified as the hub gene correlated with 6PP stress. 6PP significantly downregulated the expression of ECHS1 at the transcriptional level and combined with the ECHS1 protein. Autophagy occurred in C. destructans cells under 6PP stress. In conclusion, 6PP may induce autophagy in C. destructans by downregulating ECHS1 at the transcriptional level and inhibiting ECHS1 protein activity. 6PP is a potential candidate for the development of new fungicides against C. destructans.

Soil inoculation of Trichoderma asperellum M45a regulates rhizosphere microbes and triggers watermelon resistance to Fusarium wilt

Fusarium wilt (FW) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON) is a soil-borne disease that seriously limits watermelon production. In the present study, Trichoderma asperellum (T. asperellum) M45a was shown to be an effective biocontrol agent against FW. In a pot experiment, the application of 10⁵ cfu/g of T. asperellum M45a granules had an improved control effect on FW during the blooming period (up to 67.44%) in soils subjected to five years of continuous cropping with watermelon, while the average length of watermelon vines was also significantly improved (P < 0.05). Additionally, the acid phosphatase (ACP), cellulase (CL), catalase (CAT), and sucrase (SC) activities in the M45a-inoculation group were significantly higher than those in the control (CK) group, and transformation of the soil nutrients (total N, NO3-N, and available P) was significantly increased. Moreover, T. asperellum M45a inoculation reduced fungal diversity, increased bacterial diversity and especially enhanced the relative abundance of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), such as Trichoderma, Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, Actinomadura, and Rhodanobacter. Through functional prediction, the relative abundance of ectomycorrhiza, endophytes, animal pathotrophs, and saprotrophs in the fungal community was determined to be significantly lower than that observed in the M45a-treated soil. Correlation analysis revealed that Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, and Trichoderma had the most differences in terms of microorganism abundance, and these differences were positively correlated with ACP, CL, CAT, and SC. These findings provide guidance for the use of fungicides to achieve microecological control of FW in continuously cropped watermelon plots.

Effect of Inorganic N Top Dressing and Trichoderma harzianum Seed-Inoculation on Crop Yield and the Shaping of Root Microbial Communities of Wheat Plants Cultivated Under High Basal N Fertilization

Wheat crop production needs nitrogen (N) for ensuring yield and quality. High doses of inorganic N fertilizer are applied to soil before sowing (basal dressing), with additional doses supplied along the cultivation (top dressing). Here, a long-term wheat field trial (12 plots), including four conditions (control, N top dressing, Trichoderma harzianum T34 seed-inoculation, and top dressing plus T34) in triplicate, was performed to assess, under high basal N fertilization, the influence of these treatments on crop yield and root microbial community shaping. Crop yield was not affected by top dressing and T. harzianum T34, but top dressing significantly increased grain protein and gluten contents. Twenty-seven-week old wheat plants were collected at 12 days after top dressing application and sampled as bulk soil, rhizosphere and root endosphere compartments in order to analyze their bacterial and fungal assemblies by 16S rDNA and ITS2 high-throughput sequencing, respectively. Significant differences for bacterial and fungal richness and diversity were detected among the three compartments with a microbial decline from bulk soil to root endosphere. The most abundant wheat root phyla were Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria for bacteria, and Ascomycota and Basidiomycota for fungi. An enrichment of genera commonly associated with soils subjected to chemical N fertilization was observed: Kaistobacter, Mortierella, and Solicoccozyma in bulk soil, Olpidium in rhizosphere, and Janthinobacterium and Pedobacter in root endosphere. Taxa whose abundance significantly differed among conditions within each compartment were identified. Results show that: (i) single or strain T34-combined application of N top dressing affected to a greater extent the bulk soil bacterial levels than the use of T34 alone; (ii) when N top dressing and T34 were applied in combination, the N fertilizer played a more decisive role in the bacterial microbiome than T34; (iii) many genera of plant beneficial bacteria, negatively affected by N top dressing, were increased by the application of T34 alone; (iv) bulk soil and rhizosphere fungal microbiomes were affected by any of the three treatments assayed; and (v) all treatments reduced Claroideoglomus in bulk soil but the single application of T34 raised the rhizosphere levels of this mycorrhizal fungus.

The Growth Promotion of Peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) by Trichoderma guizhouense NJAU4742-Based Biological Organic Fertilizer: Possible Role of Increasing Nutrient Availabilities

Trichoderma spp. is a cosmopolitan group of soil fungi which plays a remarkable role in stimulating plant growth after interacting with plant roots and has good application prospects in intensive agriculture. In this study, rice straw and amino acids improved the population of Trichoderma guizhouense NJAU4742 under solid-state fermentation and helped us develop a new type of organic fertilizer. The effects of this biological organic fertilizer were evaluated in the growth of peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) for two seasons under sandy and mountain soils. In the first season, the yields in T6 (0.06% solid fermentation products in soil) and AT6 (added 0.06% solid fermentation products and 1% amino acid organic fertilizer in soil) treatments were increased by 41.8% and 52.3% in sandy soil and by 51.6% and 46.5% in mountain soil, respectively, compared with chemical fertilizer. During the second season, the same trend was obtained in both sandy and mountain soils. Soil peroxidase activity (125.2 μmol·g-1 dw), urease activity (58.7 μmol·g-1 dw) and invertase activity (13.11 mg·g-1 dw) reached their highest levels in biological organic fertilizer compared to the treatments with chemical fertilizer and solid fermentation products. Redundancy analysis showed that crop yield was positively correlated with enzyme activities, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus. Thus, we demonstrated that NJAU4742-enriched biological organic fertilizer could accelerate the transformation of nutrients and promote pepper growth.

16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Based Metagenomic Signatures of Rhizobiome Community in Rice Field During Various Growth Stages

Rice is a major staple food across the globe. Its growth and productivity is highly dependent on the rhizobiome where crosstalk takes place between plant and the microbial community. Such interactions lead to selective enrichment of plant beneficial microbes which ultimately defines the crop health and productivity. In this study, rhizobiome modulation is documented throughout the development of rice plant. Based on 16S rRNA gene affiliation at genus level, abundance, and diversity of plant growth promoting bacteria increased during the growth stages. The observed α diversity and rhizobiome complexity increased significantly (p < 0.05) during plantation. PCoA indicates that different geographical locations shared similar rhizobiome diversity but exerted differential enrichment (p < 0.001). Diversity of enriched genera represented a sigmoid curve and subsequently declined after harvest. A major proportion of dominant enriched genera (p < 0.05, abundance > 0.1%), based on 16S rRNA gene, were plant growth promoting bacteria that produces siderophore, indole-3-acetic acid, aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, and antimicrobials. Hydrogenotrophic methanogens dominated throughout cultivation. Type I methanotrophs (n = 12) had higher diversity than type II methanotrophs (n = 6). However, the later had significantly higher abundance (p = 0.003). Strong enrichment pattern was also observed in type I methanotrophs being enriched during water logged stages. Ammonia oxidizing Archaea were several folds more abundant than ammonia oxidizing bacteria. K-strategists Nitrosospira and Nitrospira dominated ammonia and nitrite oxidizing bacteria, respectively. The study clarifies the modulation of rhizobiome according to the rice developmental stages, thereby opening up the possibilities of bio-fertilizer treatment based on each cultivation stages.