Abstract
Abstract
Aims
To isolate endophytic Trichoderma spp. and investigate the potential for biological control of the root rot pathogen Armillaria mellea.
Methods and Results
Forty Trichoderma isolates were obtained from a range of host plants and identities were confirmed by ITS, rpb2 and tef1 sequence. When tested in dual culture assays for antagonism against Armillaria mellea, Trichoderma isolates overgrew the A. mellea colonies within four days and by eight days 38 Trichoderma isolates significantly reduced A. mellea colony size. Armillaria mellea was unable to be recovered from five of eight co‐cultivations tested, suggesting Trichoderma had killed the A. mellea in these cases. Pre‐colonized hazel discs were used to determine what happens in a more heterogeneous situation with A. mellea and a refined set of eight Trichoderma isolates. Similar to plate based assays, Trichoderma quickly covered A. mellea stopping any further growth and two Trichoderma isolates were able to eradicate A. mellea.
Conclusions
Of the Trichoderma spp. tested, endophytic isolates of Trichoderma virens and T. hamatum offered the greatest antagonism towards Armillaria mellea. Using pre‐colonised hazel disks was of great importance for this work to demonstrate the fungal interactions in plant material.
Significance and Impact of Study
Controlling Armillaria Root Rot is difficult with chemical treatments, thus an environmentally benign and cost‐effective alternative is required. This study highlights the prospect of biological control as an effective, environmentally‐friendly alternative to chemicals
Aims
To isolate endophytic Trichoderma spp. and investigate the potential for biological control of the root rot pathogen Armillaria mellea.
Methods and Results
Forty Trichoderma isolates were obtained from a range of host plants and identities were confirmed by ITS, rpb2 and tef1 sequence. When tested in dual culture assays for antagonism against Armillaria mellea, Trichoderma isolates overgrew the A. mellea colonies within four days and by eight days 38 Trichoderma isolates significantly reduced A. mellea colony size. Armillaria mellea was unable to be recovered from five of eight co‐cultivations tested, suggesting Trichoderma had killed the A. mellea in these cases. Pre‐colonized hazel discs were used to determine what happens in a more heterogeneous situation with A. mellea and a refined set of eight Trichoderma isolates. Similar to plate based assays, Trichoderma quickly covered A. mellea stopping any further growth and two Trichoderma isolates were able to eradicate A. mellea.
Conclusions
Of the Trichoderma spp. tested, endophytic isolates of Trichoderma virens and T. hamatum offered the greatest antagonism towards Armillaria mellea. Using pre‐colonised hazel disks was of great importance for this work to demonstrate the fungal interactions in plant material.
Significance and Impact of Study
Controlling Armillaria Root Rot is difficult with chemical treatments, thus an environmentally benign and cost‐effective alternative is required. This study highlights the prospect of biological control as an effective, environmentally‐friendly alternative to chemicals
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 392-403 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Journal of Applied Microbiology |
| Volume | 131 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 21 Dec 2020 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Jun 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research was part funded by the Royal Horticultural Society and the Bristol Centre for Agricultural Innovation. We wish to thank Ellie Murphy, Morgan Millen and Maya Ambasna for contributing to producing the sequences for ID. Trichoderma
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Applied Microbiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society for Applied Microbiology