Germination and Agronomic Traits of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Beans Sprayed with Trichoderma Strains and Attacked by Acanthoscelides obtectus

Abstract

Acanthoscelides obtectus, one of the world’s most important post-harvest pests, attacks wild and cultivated common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Four Trichoderma strains, Trichoderma arundinaceum IBT 40837 (=Ta37), a wild-type strain producer of trichothecene harzianum A (HA); two transformed strains of Ta37, Ta37-17.139 (Δtri17) and Ta37-23.74 (Δtri23); and T. brevicompactum IBT 40841 (=Tb41), a wild-type strain producer of the trichothecene trichodermin, were evaluated to determine the effect of these compounds on the virulence of A. obtectus and the effect of these strains on the seed’s capacity of germination and on the agronomic traits of the plants grown from these seeds. Treatments of bean seeds with different Trichoderma strains provided varying survival rates in A. obtectus adults, so life survival of insects after Tb41 strain application was reduced to 15 days. Δtri17 and Tb41 strains sprayed on P. vulgaris beans resulted in low weight losses (1.21 and 1.55%, respectively). In spite of the low germination percentage of beans treated with Δtri23 strain (lower than the germination percentages of the rest of the fungal strains applied), this treatment encouraged a greater Wet Weight of Aerial Part of the plants grown from both damaged and undamaged beans. High germination rates of Ta37 and Δtri17 strains (higher than with the rest of treatments), did not turn into a greater Wet Weight Aerial Part and Wet Weight of Root System in the future plants developed. Linear regression between the number of exit holes and the wet weight aerial part on the one hand, and between the number of exit holes and the wet weight root system on the other, showed interaction, so Δtri23 and Tb41 strains behaved differently in comparison to their respective control treatments. The number of exit holes of beans treated with Δtri23 or Tb41 was negatively correlated with both the wet weight aerial part and the wet weight root system in P. vulgaris plants. Δtri23 sprayed on undamaged beans caused the greatest Wet Weight Aerial Part and wet weight root system in plants. Due to the good results obtained by Δtri23 and Tb41 strains in this work, more studies for A. obtectus control, P. vulgaris plant growth and trichothecenes production by these strains should be explored, in order to advance in the knowledge of how these fungi could be used in the field crop, together with the application of management strategies to mitigate risks for farmers and to minimize environmental contamination.

The Clothes Matter—Exploiting Agronomical Functions of Trichogenic Selenium Nanoparticles Sharing Activities with Biological Systems Wherein (Were) Formed

“…The strains from Trichoderma are plant-beneficial fungi with multiple agronomical functions: plant protection against plant pathogens [177], fungi, [178,179], bacteria [180], viruses [181], nematodes [182,183] and insects [184,185]; plant biostimulants [186], increasing nutrient uptake and nutrients use efficiency [122], enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stress [187], and improving crop quality traits [188]; biofortification enhancers [189]; and agents for bioremediation [190]/phyto(rhizo)remediation [191,192].…”

Influence of Foliar Treatment with Suspensions Rich in Trichoderma Chlamydospores on Momordica charantia Physiology, Yield, and Quality

“…For decades, bioproducts based on selected Trichoderma strains were used to protect cultivated plants against fungal pathogens [2,3]. In the 21st century, Trichoderma strains were reported to be active against nematodes [4,5] and insects [6,7]. The plant-beneficial strains from Trichoderma genera were also recognized as plant biostimulants [8], increasing plants' nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency, enhancing plants' tolerance to abiotic stress, and improving crop quality traits.…”

Whole-genome resequencing of common bean elite breeding lines

“…Among pulses, the common bean stands out as one of the most significant food crops globally, with a profound socioeconomic impact 1 , 2 . Its grains are gluten-free and serve as a valuable nutritional source, abundant in proteins, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds 3 .…”