Study of genes associated with Trichoderma harzianum mycoparasitism and its role in the biocontrol of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

• Grant number: 12/16895-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): February 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Roberto do Nascimento Silva
• Grantee: Eriston Vieira Gomes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 13/24452-8 - The role of Trichoderma harzianum elicitor protein (Epl1) in terpene secondary metabolites pathway in response of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection and resistance response in plant, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Phytopathogenic fungi are the causative of serious diseases in plants and are characterized by their greater complexity and diversity in relation to other microbial pathogens. This diversity is highlighted by the extraordinary range of hosts and pathogens observed in some other extreme specialization. Pathogenic fungi are also unique in the ability to directly break the surface of the plant, using a large number of biochemical and morphogenetic mechanism to accomplish this task. Therefore, its control is of great significance for the agricultural economy. Biological control is a traditional practice that combined with new knowledge of microbiology, is now widely studied to control pathogens. This method involves the use of beneficial organisms in order to reduce the negative effects of pathogens, and to promote positive responses in plants and minimize the impact of chemicals in the environment. Fungi of the genus Trichoderma spp. are among the biological control agents most studied and commercially sold as biopesticides, biofertilizers and soil inoculants. Its action is based on different mechanisms such as the production of volatile and non-volatile antibiotics, competition for space and nutrients and mycoparasitism. The aim of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the contribution of certain Trichoderma harzianum genes involved in the mycoparasitism of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which is a soil pathogen responsible for major losses in various cultures around the world. This project comprises determining the effect of deletion of T. harzianum genes involved in the production of metabolites and activities related to the process of mycoparasitism in S. sclerotiorum isolates. This knowledge can provide a strategy to reduce the amount of pesticides applied to crops, thus reducing the impact on the environment and health of farmers and consumers, and reduce the virulence of pathogenic fungi and provide new targets for more specific and effective drugs to combat diseases caused by these pathogens.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ZEILINGER, SUSANNE; GUPTA, VIJAI K.; DAHMS, TANYA E. S.; SILVA, ROBERTO N.; SINGH, HARIKESH B.; UPADHYAY, RAM S.; GOMES, ERISTON VIEIRA; TSUI, CLEMENT KIN-MING; NAYAK, CHANDRA S.; VAN DER MEER, JAN ROELOF. Friends or foes? Emerging insights from fungal interactions with plants. FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS, v. 40, n. 2, p. 182-207, MAR 2016. (12/16895-4, 14/23653-2)

GOMES, ERISTON VIEIRA; COSTA, MARIANA DO NASCIMENTO; DE PAULA, RENATO GRACIANO; DE AZEVEDO, RAFAEL RICCI; DA SILVA, FRANCILENE LOPES; NORONHA, ELIANE F.; ULHOA, CIRANO JOSE; MONTEIRO, VALDIRENE NEVES; CARDOZA, ROSA ELENA; GUTIERREZ, SANTIAGO; et al. The Cerato-Platanin protein Epl-1 from Trichoderma harzianum is involved in mycoparasitism, plant resistance induction and self cell wall protection. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 5, DEC 9 2015. (12/16895-4)

GOMES, ERISTON V.; ULHOA, CIRANO J.; CARDOZA, ROSA E.; SILVA, ROBERTO N.; GUTIERREZ, SANTIAGO. Involvement of Trichoderma harzianum Epl-1 Protein in the Regulation of Botrytis Virulence- and Tomato Defense-Related Genes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE, v. 8, MAY 29 2017. (13/24452-8, 12/16895-4, 16/04274-6)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

GOMES, Eriston Vieira. Study of Trichoderma harzianum genes associated with mycoparasitism and its role in biocontrol of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. 2015. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.