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Distribution, Composition and Bioactivity of Endophytic Trichoderma spp. Associated with Sugarcane

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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The distribution, species composition and bioactive potential of endophytic Trichoderma strains associated with sugarcane were investigated using cultural characterization, multiplex PCR assays, antagonistic and enzymatic assays. Thirty-two endophytic Trichoderma isolates were established from roots and leaf tissue of nine sugarcane varieties. The results revealed that Trichoderma exhibits tissue specificity showing higher colonization of sugarcane roots than leaves. T. asperellum (ten isolates) and T. longibrachiatum (eight isolates) were observed to be the predominant endophytic Trichoderma species isolated from sugarcane. While T. asperellum was distributed in both roots and leaves of sugarcane, T. longibrachiatum was restricted to roots alone. In cellulase production assay, 19 isolates were found positive for cellulase production. The antifungal potential of the Trichoderma isolates was assessed against the sugarcane pathogen Colletotrichum falcatum by three methods. Overall, considerably higher inhibition was observed in direct confrontation (up to 66.2%) and diffusible metabolite production assays (up to 64.7%) as compared to volatile metabolites (< 45%). Also, root isolates showed higher production of diffusible metabolites, while leaf isolates produced higher volatiles. These findings suggest that potential of Trichoderma isolates in terms of their ability to produce diffusible inhibitory metabolites or volatile compounds may play a significant role in their ability to colonize different niches within a host plant. Altogether, the above findings show for the first time the presence of T. asperellum and T. longibrachiatum as endophytes in sugarcane. Identified endophytic Trichoderma strains with high bioactive potential can be used in future as tool for disease management in sugarcane.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Director, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow, for providing facilities and constant encouragement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226002, India

    Deeksha Joshi, Jaya Gupta, Ayushi Mishra, Monika Upadhyay, S. K. Holkar & Pushpa Singh

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  1. Deeksha Joshi
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  2. Jaya Gupta
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  3. Ayushi Mishra
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  4. Monika Upadhyay
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  5. S. K. Holkar
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  6. Pushpa Singh
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Correspondence to Deeksha Joshi.

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Significance statement

The present findings for the first time show the presence of two species of Trichoderma, viz. T. asperellum and T. longibrachiatum, as endophytes in sugarcane and established antifungal potency of endophytic Trichoderma strains against Colletotrichum falcatum.

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Joshi, D., Gupta, J., Mishra, A. et al. Distribution, Composition and Bioactivity of Endophytic Trichoderma spp. Associated with Sugarcane. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. 89, 1189–1200 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-018-1036-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-018-1036-3

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