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Mycoparasitism studies of Trichoderma harzianum against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum: evaluation of antagonism and expression of cell wall-degrading enzymes genes

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Abstract

Trichoderma spp. are known for their biocontrol activity against several plant pathogens. A specific isolate of Trichoderma harzianum, 303/02, has the potential to inhibit the growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, an important agent involved in several crop diseases. In this study, the interaction between T. harzianum 303/02 and mycelia, sclerotia and apothecia of S. sclerotiorum was studied by scanning electron microscopy. RT-qPCR was used to examine the expression of 11 genes potentially involved in biocontrol. T. harzianum 303/02 parasitizes S. sclerotiorum by forming branches that coil around the hyphae. The fungus multiplied abundantly at the sclerotia and apothecia surface, forming a dense mycelium that penetrated the inner surface of these structures. The levels of gene expression varied according to the type of structure with which T. harzianum was interacting. The data also showed the presence of synergistic action between the cell-wall degrading enzymes.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by FINEP (Research and Projects Financing), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the State of Goiás Research Foundation (FAPEGO). T.F.Q. was supported by a scholarship from CNPq. We kindly thank Dr. Robert Poque for reading the manuscript and providing suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Goiás (ICB), Goiânia, GO, 74001-970, Brazil

    Rogério Fraga Troian, Andrei Stecca Steindorff, Marcelo Henrique Soller Ramada, Walquiria Arruda & Cirano José Ulhoa

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  1. Rogério Fraga Troian
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  2. Andrei Stecca Steindorff
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  3. Marcelo Henrique Soller Ramada
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  4. Walquiria Arruda
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  5. Cirano José Ulhoa
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Correspondence to Cirano José Ulhoa.

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Troian, R.F., Steindorff, A.S., Ramada, M.H.S. et al. Mycoparasitism studies of Trichoderma harzianum against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum: evaluation of antagonism and expression of cell wall-degrading enzymes genes. Biotechnol Lett 36, 2095–2101 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-014-1583-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-014-1583-5

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