Potential of Trichoderma harzianum and Its Metabolites to Protect Wheat Seedlings against Fusarium culmorum and 2,4-D

Abstract

Wheat is a critically important crop. The application of fungi, such as Trichoderma harzianum, to protect and improve crop yields could become an alternative solution to synthetic chemicals. However, the interaction between the fungus and wheat in the presence of stress factors at the molecular level has not been fully elucidated. In the present work, we exposed germinating seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum) to the plant pathogen Fusarium culmorum and the popular herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in the presence of T. harzianum or its extracellular metabolites. Then, the harvested roots and shoots were analyzed using spectrometry, 2D-PAGE, and MALDI-TOF/MS techniques. Although F. culmorum and 2,4-D were found to disturb seed germination and the chlorophyll content, T. harzianum partly alleviated these negative effects and reduced the synthesis of zearalenone by F. culmorum. Moreover, T. harzianum decreased the activity of oxidoreduction enzymes (CAT and SOD) and the contents of the oxylipins 9-Hode, 13-Hode, and 13-Hotre induced by stress factors. Under the influence of various growth conditions, changes were observed in over 40 proteins from the wheat roots. Higher volumes of proteins and enzymes performing oxidoreductive functions, such as catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, cytochrome C peroxidase, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, were found in the Fusarium-inoculated and 2,4-D-treated wheat roots. Additionally, observation of the level of 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid reductase involved in the oxylipin signaling pathway in wheat showed an increase. Trichoderma and its metabolites present in the system leveled out the mentioned proteins to the control volumes. Among the 30 proteins examined in the shoots, the expression of the proteins involved in photosynthesis and oxidative stress response was found to be induced in the presence of the herbicide and the pathogen. In summary, these proteomic and metabolomic studies confirmed that the presence of T. harzianum results in the alleviation of oxidative stress in wheat induced by 2,4-D or F. culmorum.

Trichoderma versus Fusarium—Inhibition of Pathogen Growth and Mycotoxin Biosynthesis

“…This inhibition was probably caused by a reduction in the size of pathogenic mycelium and/or the interference of Fusarium and Trichoderma metabolic pathways. Similar studies were carried out [ 31 , 36 , 40 ] and very similar results were obtained by Tian et al [ 40 ], who observed in bi-cultures of F . graminearum and various Trichoderma strains that ZEN biosynthesis was inhibited by 9% to 97%, α-ZOL by 31% to 87% and β-ZOL by 34% to 89%.…”

“…In our experiment, the biosynthesis of mycotoxins tested was inhibited by 12% to 99%, 23% to 100%, and 13% to 100%, respectively. Mironenka et al [ 36 ] also observed that the presence of T . harzianum in co-culture with F .…”

“…Metabolites putatively produced by Trichoderma can also be a limiting factor for the growth of pathogenic Fusarium species. Mironenka et al [ 36 ] found that some metabolites biosynthesized by T . harzianum (i.e., 14-amino acid peptaibols, T22-azophilone and harzianic acid) caused severe oxidative stress and inhibited the growth of F .…”

Trichoderma Species: Our Best Fungal Allies in the Biocontrol of Plant Diseases—A Review

“…Other SM can regulate virulence genes from the pathogen, such as Epl-1 from T. harzianum , which represses virulence genes in B. cinerea , and induces SA- mediated defense pathway and priming in tomato plants, conferring resistance to the pathogen [ 119 ]. SM from culture filtrates of T. harzianum and the fungus diminished the adverse effects that Fusarium culmorum causes in wheat plants, such as reduced germination or lower plant growth, and modified antioxidant enzymatic activity, overall conferring protection against the pathogen [ 122 ].…”

Microplastic-Induced Oxidative Stress in Metolachlor-Degrading Filamentous Fungus Trichoderma harzianum

“…The present work may be the first study on the influence of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microparticles on the soil-borne fungus Trichoderma harzianum KKP 534. In our previous study, the fungus was found to promote plant growth and limit the development of pathogenic fungi, such as Fusarium , Pythium , and others [ 35 ]. The present study assessed the effect of MPs on the growth of the fungus and the degradation of metolachlor (MET), which is a chloroacetanilide herbicide commonly used in cereal crops.…”