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Efficacy of Trichoderma longibrachiatum SC5 Fermentation Filtrate in Inhibiting the Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Growth and Development in Sunflower

Summary

Scientists studied a beneficial fungus called Trichoderma longibrachiatum that can fight a harmful mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) which damages sunflower crops. They discovered that liquid containing products from this beneficial fungus can significantly stop the harmful mold from growing, prevent it from forming protective survival structures called sclerotia, and reduce its ability to infect plants. When tested on sunflower leaves, this fungal liquid was highly effective at both preventing disease before infection and stopping disease after infection had started.

Background

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a destructive pathogen causing sunflower sclerotinia rot with significant yield and economic losses worldwide. Trichoderma species have demonstrated capacity to inhibit plant pathogen growth through secondary metabolite production. However, limited recent studies focus on Trichoderma metabolites for controlling S. sclerotiorum in sunflower.

Objective

To screen Trichoderma strains for inhibiting S. sclerotiorum mycelial growth and sclerotia production, evaluate effects of fermentation filtrate on pathogen morphology and physiology, identify the candidate strain, and test protective and curative efficacy on sunflower leaves.

Results

Trichoderma SC5 showed highest inhibition at 94.65% of mycelial growth, 96% inhibition of sclerotial germination, and 81.05% reduction in oxalic acid content. SC5 fermentation filtrate caused hyphal swelling, branching, twisting, and lysis, decreased polygalacturonase and pectin methyl-galacturonase activities, and downregulated growth and infection-related genes. SC5 achieved 95.45% protective and 75.36% curative control efficacy on sunflower leaves at 8 mg/mL.

Conclusion

Trichoderma longibrachiatum SC5 fermentation filtrate demonstrated superior biocontrol potential against S. sclerotiorum through multiple mechanisms including suppression of mycelial growth, sclerotia formation, pathogenic enzyme activity, and virulence gene expression, showing promise as a biological control agent for sunflower sclerotinia rot.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMC11720231, PMID: 39796062
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