Plant-beneficial effects of Trichoderma and of its genes

Microbiology (Reading). 2012 Jan;158(Pt 1):17-25. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.052274-0. Epub 2011 Oct 13.

Abstract

Trichoderma (teleomorph Hypocrea) is a fungal genus found in many ecosystems. Trichoderma spp. can reduce the severity of plant diseases by inhibiting plant pathogens in the soil through their highly potent antagonistic and mycoparasitic activity. Moreover, as revealed by research in recent decades, some Trichoderma strains can interact directly with roots, increasing plant growth potential, resistance to disease and tolerance to abiotic stresses. This mini-review summarizes the main findings concerning the Trichoderma-plant interaction, the molecular dialogue between the two organisms, and the dramatic changes induced by the beneficial fungus in the plant. Efforts to enhance plant resistance and tolerance to a broad range of stresses by expressing Trichoderma genes in the plant genome are also addressed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibiosis*
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Plant Development
  • Plant Diseases / genetics
  • Plant Diseases / immunology
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology
  • Plant Diseases / prevention & control
  • Plants / genetics
  • Plants / immunology
  • Plants / microbiology*
  • Soil Microbiology
  • Trichoderma / genetics
  • Trichoderma / physiology*

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins