Mitochondrial Genome Resource of a grapevine strain of Trichoderma harzianum, a potential biological control agent for fungal canker diseases

Trichoderma spp. are commonly used as bioremediation agents, biological controls, and for making biofuels. Herein, a Trichoderma harzianum strain PAR3 was isolated from grapevine roots in central California, USA. As part of a larger whole genome sequencing effort, the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence was obtained for the PAR3 strain. The mitogenome is 27,631 bp containing genes of 14 core mitochondrial proteins, 25 tRNA, and two rRNAs and a GC% content of 27.55%. BLAST search using the PAR3 mitogenome as query against GenBank sequence database showed mitogenome MUT3171 (29,791 bp) of Trichoderma lixii was the most similar (Query Coverage = 99%; Percentage Identity=100.00%) with two major deletions, 1,339 bp and 821 bp. The PAR3 mitogenome sequence will provide a useful reference for comparing different Trichoderma strains from US and around the world.

Correction to: Selective cytotoxicity of epidithiodiketopiperazine DC1149B, produced by marine-derived Trichoderma lixii on the cancer cells adapted to glucose starvation

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-021-01499-w

Evaluation of the effectiveness of potato improvement in in vitro culture on optimized nutrient media

Studies have been conducted on the use of an optimized Murashige-Scoog nutrient medium to obtain healthy seeds of promising potato varieties. It was found that the use of agarized modified Murashige-Scoog nutrient medium with the addition of exometabolites of fungi of the genus Trichoderma lixii 1.5 mg/l with antimicrobial properties and the antiviral drug “Cycloferon” in a concentration of 0.01% contributes to an increase in the number of virus-free potato regenerants when the method of apical meristems and in vitro improvement is used together. The effectiveness of using the modified medium is confirmed by the following criteria: active growth of test tube potato micro-plants, which is expressed in optimal morphometric indicators on the example of the potato variety “Rosara”; the size of the isolated meristems is 10 mm, which contributes to the output of healthy plants; the survival rate of regenerating plants. It is shown that when using the modified medium, an average of 35-50% of regenerating plants were obtained, depending on the potato variety, free from M, S viruses.

Genome Sequence of Trichoderma lixii MUT3171, A Promising Strain for Mycoremediation of PAH-Contaminated Sites

Mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread and recalcitrant pollutants that threaten both environmental and human health. By exploiting the powerful enzymatic machinery of fungi, mycoremediation in contaminated sites aims at removing a wide range of pollutants in a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly manner. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques are powerful tools for understanding the molecular basis of biotransformation of PAHs by selected fungal strains, allowing genome mining to identify genetic features of biotechnological value. Trichoderma lixii MUT3171, isolated from a historically PAH-contaminated soil in Italy, can grow on phenanthrene, as a sole carbon source. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of T. lixii MUT3171 obtained with high-throughput sequencing method. The genome of T. lixii MUT3171 was compared with other 14 Trichoderma genomes, highlighting both shared and unique features that can shed a light on the biotransformation of PAHs. Moreover, the genes potentially involved in the production of important biosurfactants and bioactive molecules have been investigated. The gene repertoire of T. lixii MUT3171 indicates a high degrading potential and provides hints on putative survival strategies in a polluted environment.

The biological activity of subspecies Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium oxysporum, the causative agent of fusarium wilt cucumber in vitro

The study of the effect of the strains of the fungus Trichoderma: Trichoderma atrobrunneum VKPM F-1434, Trichoderma harzianum 5/14, Trichoderma Lixii T4/14 on the number of micromycetes populations of the pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum isolate B/14, Fusarium oxysporum isolate MOS509, Fysarium oxysporum isolate IMI58289 in vitro. It was found that the Trichoderma atrobrunneum fungus strain VKPM F-1434 showed the highest degree of inhibition on 10 days of cultivation with phytopathogenic microorganisms, which was 100 %. The study revealed that all Trichoderma species are capable of producing lytic enzymes. Trichoderma atrobrunneum strain VKPM F-1434 exhibits strong lipase and chitinase activity and average proteinase activity. In addition, Trichoderma atrobrunneum strain VKPM F-1434 has a growth-promoting ability, which was reflected in the germination of seeds of cucumber “German F1”. The maximum values of indicators of germination energy were noted – 98.4 % and germination – 100 %.