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Strain and contact-dependent metabolomic reprogramming reveals distinct interaction strategies between Laccaria bicolor and Trichoderma

Summary

Scientists studied how two types of fungi interact with each other when grown together. One fungus (Trichoderma) is used as a biocontrol agent to fight harmful fungi, while the other (Laccaria) helps trees grow. By analyzing the chemicals these fungi release both as gases and through their growth medium, researchers found that the fungi communicate and compete with each other differently depending on how close they are. These findings help us understand how fungi interact in soil and could improve the use of biocontrol agents in agriculture.

Background

Trichoderma species are dominant biocontrol agents in the commercial market, with over 400 known species found in diverse soil environments. Understanding how these mycoparasitic fungi interact with beneficial ectomycorrhizal fungi like Laccaria bicolor is crucial since both organisms co-occur naturally in rhizospheres, particularly in association with deciduous trees such as poplar.

Objective

This study aimed to elucidate the interaction mechanisms between Laccaria bicolor and four Trichoderma strains by analyzing their metabolic responses under varying degrees of physical contact. The research investigated both volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and non-volatile metabolites to understand the chemical basis of fungal recognition and antagonistic interactions.

Results

The study revealed strong contact- and strain-dependent growth inhibition patterns, with Trichoderma growth suppressed under shared headspace while L. bicolor was more strongly inhibited under direct contact. Metabolomic profiling identified hundreds of discriminant mass features showing strain-specific alterations in VOC and soluble metabolite profiles, with significant enrichment in amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways depending on interaction stage and fungal partner.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate that Trichoderma-Laccaria interactions are mediated by dynamic, contact-specific chemical reprogramming involving coordinated changes in both volatile and non-volatile metabolite production. These results provide insights into fungal non-self-recognition mechanisms and suggest that both emitted and secreted metabolites play crucial roles in shaping interaction dynamics and may influence broader plant-associated microbial networks.
  • Published in:Fungal Biology and Biotechnology,
  • Study Type:In vitro experimental study,
  • Source: PMC12285104 / 40696431
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