Open AccessStraw Competition and Wheat Root Endophytism of Trichoderma gamsii T6085 as Useful Traits in the Biological Control of Fusarium Head Blight
Author(s) -
Sabrina Sarrocco,
Pilar Esteban,
Isabel Vicente,
Rodolfo Bernardi,
Tracy Plainchamp,
Séverine Domenichini,
Grazia Puntoni,
Riccardo Baroncelli,
Giovanni Vannacci,
Marie Dufresne
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
phytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.264
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1943-7684
pISSN - 0031-949X
DOI - 10.1094/phyto-09-20-0441-r
Subject(s) - biology , anthesis , sowing , fusarium , colonization , agronomy , blight , trichoderma , biological pest control , competition (biology) , fusarium oxysporum , botany , horticulture , cultivar , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology
Trichoderma gamsii T6085 has been investigated for many years as a beneficial isolate for use in the biocontrol of Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat caused primarily by Fusarium graminearum. Previous work focused on application of T6085 to wheat spikes at anthesis, whereas application to soil before or at sowing has received limited attention. In the present study, the competitive ability of T6085 on plant residues against F. graminearum was investigated. Results showed a significant reduction of wheat straw colonization by the pathogen and of the development of perithecia, not only when T6085 was applied alone but also in the presence of a F. oxysporum isolate (7121), well known as a natural competitor on wheat plant residues. T6085 was able to endophytically colonize wheat roots, resulting in internal colonization of the radical cortex area, without reaching the vascular system, as confirmed by confocal microscopy. This intimate interaction with the plant resulted in a significant increase of the expression of the plant defense-related genes PAL1 and PR1. Taken together, competitive ability, endophytic behavior, and host resistance induction represent three important traits that can be of great use in the application of T6085 against FHB not only on spikes at anthesis but potentially also in soil before or at sowing.