Search Results (1,014)

In this work, solid-state fermentation (SSF) was applied to babassu mesocarp (BM) for the low-cost bioproduction of natural aroma compounds having Trichoderma harzianum (IOC 4042) and Geotrichum candidum (CCT 1205) as microbial agents. Fermentation was carried out using in natura babassu mesocarp (IN-BM) and defatted babassu mesocarp through soxhlet extraction (DEF-BM) as support, impregnated with hydration solutions of three and seven salts. The compounds produced were analyzed using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Among several aroma compounds detected, 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6-PP)—GRAS 3696, coconut aroma; 2-phenylethanol (2-PE)—GRAS 2858, rose and honey aroma; and hexanal—GRAS 2557, green apple aroma, were the compounds that that were detected with the greatest intensity. The highest concentrations (ppm (w/w)) of 6-PP and 2-PE were obtained in DEF-BM using NS7SG (308.17 ± 3.18 and 414.53 ± 1.96), respectively, while for hexanal, the highest concentration (ppm (w/w)) was obtained in IN-BM using NS7SG (210.83 ± 2.14). The results indicate that producing aroma compounds by G. candidum and T. harzianum through BM SSF is viable, generating value-added compounds. Full article

Damping-off disease, caused by Pythium aphanidermatum, significantly impacts tomato production. This study explored the potential of a two-pronged approach for enhanced biocontrol: combining two antagonistic Trichoderma asperellum strains (CB-Pin-01 and NST-009) with a plant immune stimulant (CaCO₃). Laboratory assays demonstrated strong individual efficacy of both Trichoderma strains against P. aphanidermatum, with significant growth inhibition and overgrowth capabilities. Importantly, scanning electron microscopy confirmed their compatibility. Greenhouse experiments revealed that the combined application of Trichoderma strains and CaCO₃ achieved the most significant reduction in disease incidence (17.78%) compared to the control (66.55%). Furthermore, this treatment resulted in 100% root colonization by Trichoderma and the highest population density in the soil (6.17 × 10⁷ CFU g⁻¹), suggesting the immune stimulant’s role in promoting beneficial microbe establishment. These findings highlight the potential of this combined strategy as a sustainable and effective approach for managing damping-off disease in tomatoes. Full article

Stem rot of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) caused by Scelrotium rolfsii is the main threat to groundnut production, causing significant economic losses. The present study aims to provide an overview of the potentiality of Trichoderma viride (Tv), Trichoderma harzianum (Th), Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf), and Bacillus subtilis (Bs), applied either individually or in mixed combination, against Sclerotium rolfsii (isolate SrBKN). The treatment with T. harzianum and P. fluorescens resulted in the highest mycelial growth inhibition (79.61, 83.51, and 86.77%), followed by T. viride and P. fluorescens (75.74, 79.63, and 83.14%). Under in vitro conditions, the combination of bio-agents at 5% culture filtrate proved to be superior against the test pathogen. Seed treatment and soil application of T. harzianum and Pf at 10 (5 + 5) g kg⁻¹ + 10 (5 + 5) kg ha⁻¹, followed by seed treatment and soil application of T. viride and Pf at 10 (5 + 5) g kg⁻¹ + 10 (5 + 5) kg ha⁻¹, resulted in the lowest disease incidence (7.40 and 8.0%), highest disease control (69.37 and 66.88%), maximum dry weight (151 and 147 g plant⁻¹), highest increase in dry weight (75.58 and 70.93), highest pod yield (2665 and 2498 kg ha⁻¹), and highest increase in pod yield (96.38 and 84.08%) under in vivo conditions. We present an effective bio-control-based management module from the lab to the field for the successful control of groundnut stem rot caused by S. rolfsii. Based on the results, it is concluded that the dual formulation of T. harzianum and P. fluorescens, followed by T. viride and P. fluorescens, were the most effective BCAs in suppressing the S. rolfsii. Therefore, an integrated disease management module with these BCAs needs to be developed and validated with a farmers’ participatory mode under field conditions. Full article

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is one of the most persistent and infectious plant viruses. The substantial economic losses caused by TMV in the production of tobacco and vegetables (especially in the Solanaceae family) are prompting the introduction of innovative solutions that effectively inhibit infection by this pathogen. Biological control agents based on bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Pantoea and actinomycetes are becoming increasingly popular in the fight against TMV. Some fungi, including Fusarium spp., Trichoderma spp., Alternaria spp. and Sepedonium spp., as well as wood-rotting fungi, also exhibit high anti-TMV activity. This article presents a comprehensive review of recent scientific advances in the bioprotection of selected solanaceous crops against TMV. It provides information on the structure of the virus, its host range, pathogenicity and the severity of losses caused in pepper, tomato and tobacco production. The review characterises environmentally safe techniques involving biological control agents naturally occurring in the environment and the bioactive compounds extracted from them. It also identifies their effects on crops at the morphological, physiological and molecular levels. In addition, the manuscript outlines prospects for the future applications of beneficial micro-organisms and active compounds derived from them in the protection against TMV. Full article

Trichoderma is one of the most widely used microorganisms in the biological control of plant pathogens. The techniques for its formulation are well known and are commercially distributed in both solid and liquid presentations based on formulations of its reproductive structures. Currently, agricultural systems integrate this type of fungus as an alternative for sustainable production, and even though its traditional formulation still has important limitations, it has a high potential to be combined with new technologies for the development and innovation of products that improve their effectiveness. In response to this, micro- and nanotechnology are presented as alternatives to technify bioagents, promoting greater resistance, viability, and dissemination for both biomass and metabolites through encapsulation and smart delivery techniques. Some works have been developed to achieve this, especially using ionic gelation, with good results for agriculture. In this work, some generalities of the organism are mentioned, including its most common formulations for agricultural applications, information related to encapsulation systems, and the potential for improvement of biologics represented by biomass microencapsulation. Full article

Strawberry cultivation holds significant economic and social promise within Peruvian fruit production. However, conventional management practices have led to the excessive use of agrochemicals in this crop. This study proposes an organic approach to strawberry production, integrating less environmentally harmful technologies. The aim was to assess microbial inoculation by using Trichoderma sp. and Pseudomonas putida and the application of organic amendments on strawberry seedlings of the commercial cultivar “San Andreas”. A field experiment was established with evaluations in the vegetative and productive stages. Results indicate that the co-inoculation of Trichoderma sp. and Pseudomonas putida increased leaf area by 7%, and enhanced the aerial part’s fresh and dry biomass by 13% and 28%, respectively, compared to treatment without microbial inoculation. Concurrently, compost application increased the leaf number and aerial dry biomass by 22% and 19% at the end of the vegetative stage, respectively, compared to treatment without organic amendment. In addition, it reduced the days for flowering, maintaining the fruit’s physicochemical attributes. Regarding yield, the amendments application significantly enhanced fruit weight per plant by 40%, especially when applied together with Trichoderma sp., and co-inoculation increased the number of fruits per meter square by 22%. These findings highlight the potential of technologies such as microbial inoculation and organic amendments to enhance strawberry yields and to gradually reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers. Full article

Weeds cause significant agricultural losses worldwide, and herbicides have traditionally been the main solution to this problem. However, the extensive use of herbicides has led to multiple cases of weed resistance, which could generate an increase in the application concentration and consequently a higher persistence in the environment, hindering natural degradation processes. Consequently, more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as microbial bioherbicides, have been sought. Although these bioherbicides are promising, their efficacy remains a challenge, as evidenced by their limited commercial and industrial production. This article reviews the current status of microbial-based bioherbicides and highlights the potential of cell-free metabolites to improve their efficacy and commercial attractiveness. Stirred tank bioreactors are identified as the most widely used for production-scale submerged fermentation. In addition, the use of alternative carbon and nitrogen sources, such as industrial waste, supports the circular economy. Furthermore, this article discusses the optimization of downstream processes using bioprospecting and in silico technologies to identify target metabolites, which leads to more precise and efficient production strategies. Bacterial bioherbicides, particularly those derived from Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas, and fungal bioherbicides from genera such as Alternaria, Colletotrichum, Trichoderma and Phoma, show significant potential. Nevertheless, limitations such as their restricted range of action, their persistence in the environment, and regulatory issues restrict their commercial availability. The utilization of cell-free microbial metabolites is proposed as a promising solution due to their simpler handling and application. In addition, modern technologies, including encapsulation and integrated management with chemical herbicides, are investigated to enhance the efficacy and sustainability of bioherbicides. Full article

Mycoparasite secondary metabolites control fungal infections or diseases in agriculture and human health. Among genes involved in synthesizing secondary metabolites, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs/P450s) play a key role in synthesizing and attributing diversity to the secondary metabolites. Despite the importance of P450s, a comparative analysis of P450s in mycoparasites has yet to be reported. This study is aimed at addressing this research gap. Genome-wide analysis of P450s in 43 fungi representing six fungal phyla and three distinct lifestyles, such as mycoparasitic (24 species), saprophytic (5 species), and ectomycorrhizal (14 species), revealed the expansion of P450s in Pezizomycete mycoparasites for the synthesis of secondary metabolites. The number of P450s and their families and subfamilies, the number of secondary-metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (SMBGCs), and the number of P450s that are part of these SMBGCs were found to be highest in Pezizomycete mycoparasites compared to their counterparts of saprophytes and ectomycorrhiza, indicating P450s also play a key role in mycoparasitism. An analysis of P450 location as part of SMBGCs and the available literature on Pezizomycete P450s revealed that P450s play a key role in the synthesis of anti-fungal secondary metabolites such as trichothecene sesquiterpene, harzianum A, heptelidic acid, and gliotoxin. The mycoparasite Trichoderma virens Tv29.8 P450 CYP68Q3 is found to be a bifunctional enzyme with epoxidation and oxidation capability, and CYP5117A3 performs a Baeyer–Villiger oxidation reaction with regioselectivity. This study serves as a reference for future annotation of P450s in mycoparasites. Full article

Tomatoes are one of the predominant vegetable crops grown throughout the year in Tamil Nadu, India. Their perishable nature and resource-intensive cultivation make them susceptible to biotic stress. The damage caused by invasive insect pests, bacterial wilt during the rainy season, and viral diseases are major yield-limiting factors, and the farmers mostly depend on calendar-based insecticide applications for insect pest and disease management in tomatoes. The desired tomato hybrids grafted onto bacterial wilt-resistant eggplant rootstocks offer protection against bacterial wilt during the rainy season. The integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) practices consist of resistant grafted tomato seedlings (wild eggplant rootstocks EG 203 and TS 03), bioinoculants (Bacillus subtilis + Trichoderma asperellum + Purpureocillium lilacinum), pheromone traps (Phthorimaea absoluta and Helicoverpa armigera), botanicals (azadirachtin), microbial pesticides (Bacillus thuringiensis, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Beauveria bassiana), and bio-rationals, which were evaluated in four locations in two major tomato-growing tracts of Tamil Nadu. The results revealed that the treatment EG 203 eggplant rootstock-grafted tomato along with IPDM practices performed better across all experimental locations than the other treatment combinations viz., TS 03 eggplant rootstock-grafted tomato + IPDM, tomato + IPDM, grafted tomato + farmers’ practice and tomato + farmers’ practice. The EG 203-grafted tomato recorded a higher yield than the farmers’ practice with significantly superior biometric parameters. The treatment of EG 203-grafted tomato and IPDM practices can be adopted for safer tomato production by enabling a reduction in pesticide applications while enhancing productivity. Full article

The application of organic fertilizers and biological inputs to soil inevitably affects its quality, agrochemical indicators, and microbiota. Sustainable agriculture is based on continuously learning about how to properly manage available soil, water, and biological resources. The aim of the study was to determine changes in microorganism communities and carbon stocks in infertile soils for fertilization using different organic fertilizers and their combinations with bio-inputs. Genetic analysis of microorganism populations was performed using the NGS approach. Our study showed that the application of organic fertilizers affects the soil microbiota and the taxonomic structure of its communities. Specific groups of bacteria, such as Bacillota, were promoted by organic fertilization, meanwhile the abundance of Pseudomonadota and Ascomycota decreased in most treatments after the application of poultry manure. Metagenomic analysis confirmed that the use of bio-inputs increased the relative abundance of Trichoderma spp. fungi; meanwhile, a significant change was not found in the representatives of Azotobacter compared to the treatments where the bio-inputs were not used. The positive influence of fertilization appeared on all the studied agrochemical indicators. Higher concentrations of C_org and N_min accumulated in the soil when we used granulated poultry manure, and pH_KCl when we used cattle manure. Full article

Green mould, caused by Trichoderma aggressivum, is one of the major fungal diseases of button mushrooms. The main problems in chemical disease control include a lack of effective agents, the occurrence of pathogen resistance to pesticides, and the harmful impact on the environment. In an attempt to find a solution, the interaction between two beneficial microorganisms, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B-241 (an antifungal agent) and Streptomyces flavovirens A06 (a yield stimulant), was investigated in vivo. The synergy factor (SF) was calculated as a ratio between the observed and expected impact on the yield or efficacy of disease suppression after artificial inoculation with T. aggressivum. The highest control of T. aggressivum was achieved by joint application of the two beneficial microorganisms. The additive interaction between microorganisms in efficacy against the pathogen was revealed. The largest yield was obtained in mushroom beds sprayed with the two beneficial microorganisms combined (B-241 80% and A06 20%). Regarding the impact on the yield, synergistic interaction between the two microorganisms was confirmed (SFs were 1.62 or 1.52). The introduction of optimized microbial combinations could create new possibilities for biorational edible mushroom protection, with improved yield and quality and reduced risks to human health and the environment. Full article

Terpenoids are structurally diverse natural products that have been widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. Research has shown that fungi produce a variety of terpenoids, yet fungal terpene synthases remain not thoroughly explored. In this study, the tps1 gene, a crucial component of the terpene synthetic pathway, was isolated from Trichoderma atroviride HB20111 through genome mining. The function of this gene in the terpene synthetic pathway was investigated by constructing tps1-gene-deletion- and overexpression-engineered strains and evaluating the expression differences in the tps1 gene at the transcript level. HS-SPME-GC-MS analysis revealed significant variations in terpene metabolites among wild-type, tps1-deleted (Δtps1), and tps1-overexpressed (Otps1) strains; for instance, most sesquiterpene volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were notably reduced or absent in the Δtps1 strain, while nerolidol, β-acorenol, and guaiene were particularly produced by the Otps1 strain. However, both the Δtps1 and Otps1 strains produced new terpene metabolites compared to the wild-type, which indicated that the tps1 gene played an important role in terpene synthesis but was not the only gene involved in T. atroviride HB20111. The TPS1 protein encoded by the tps1 gene could function as a sesquiterpene cyclase through biological information and evolutionary tree analysis. Additionally, fungal inhibition assay and wheat growth promotion assay results suggested that the deletion or overexpression of the tps1 gene had a minimal impact on fungal inhibitory activity, plant growth promotion, and development, as well as stress response. This implies that these activities of T. atroviride HB20111 might result from a combination of multiple metabolites rather than being solely dependent on one specific metabolite. This study offers theoretical guidance for future investigations into the mechanism of terpenoid synthesis and serves as a foundation for related studies on terpenoid metabolic pathways in fungi. Full article

This study showcases a promising approach to sustainably unlocking plant biomass residues by combining biodegradation with artificial intelligence to optimize the process. Specifically, we utilized the definitive screening design (DSD) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to optimize the degradation of common bean biomass by the endophytic fungus Trichoderma asperellum WNZ-21. The optimized process yielded a fungal hydrolysate rich in 12 essential and non-essential amino acids, totaling 18,298.14 μg/g biomass. GC-MS analysis revealed four potential novel components not previously reported in microbial filtrates or plants and seven components exclusive to plant sources but not reported in microbial filtrates. The hydrolysate contained phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin compounds, as confirmed by FT-IR analysis. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy depicted structures resembling amino acid micelles and potential protein aggregates. The hydrolysate exhibited antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties and innovatively induced apoptotic modulation in the MCF7 cancer cell line. These findings underscore the potential of ANN-optimized fermentation for various applications, particularly in anticancer medicine due to its unique composition and bioactivities. The integration of the DSD and ANNs presents a novel technique for biomass biodegradation, warranting the valorization of plant biomass and suggesting a further exploration of the new components in the fungal hydrolysate. This approach represents the basic concept for exploring other biomass sources and in vivo studies. Full article

The use of endophytic microbes is increasing in commercial agriculture. This review will begin with a strain selection. Most strains will not function well, so only a few provide adequate performance. It will also describe the endophyte–plant relationship and the fungi and bacteria involved. Their abilities to alleviate biotic (diseases and pests) and abiotic stresses (drought, salt, and flooding) to remediate pollution and increase photosynthetic capabilities will be described. Their mechanisms of action will be elucidated. These frequently result in increased plant yields. Finally, methods and practices for formulation and commercial use will be described. Full article

Chemical pesticides help reduce crop loss during production and storage. However, the carbon footprints and ecological costs associated with this strategy are unsustainable. Here, we used three in vitro models to characterize how different Trichoderma species interact with two aflatoxin producers, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, to help develop a climate-resilient biological control strategy against aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species. The growth rate of Trichoderma species is a critical factor in suppressing aflatoxigenic strains via physical interactions. The dual plate assay suggests that Trichoderma mainly suppresses A. flavus via antibiosis, whereas the suppression of A. parasiticus occurs through mycoparasitism. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by Trichoderma inhibited the growth of A. parasiticus (34.6 ± 3.3%) and A. flavus (20.9 ± 1.6%). The VOCs released by T. asperellum BTU and T. harzianum OSK-34 were most effective in suppressing A. flavus growth. Metabolites secreted by T. asperellum OSK-38, T. asperellum BTU, T. virens OSK-13, and T. virens OSK-36 reduced the growth of both aflatoxigenic species. Overall, T. asperellum BTU was the most effective at suppressing the growth and aflatoxin B1 production of both species across all models. This work will guide efforts to screen for effective biological control agents to mitigate aflatoxin accumulation. Full article