Fungal Species:  Trichoderma harzianum

Synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Trichoderma harzianum and its bio-efficacy on Alternaria brassicae

Scientists have developed an eco-friendly way to create zinc oxide nanoparticles using a beneficial fungus called Trichoderma harzianum. These nanoparticles effectively kill Alternaria brassicae, a fungus that damages mustard crops and can reduce yields by up to 57%. The nanoparticles work better and at lower doses than traditional chemical fungicides, making them a promising sustainable solution for farmers. This represents an important advancement in protecting crops without harming the environment.

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New bioactive secondary metabolites from fungi: 2024

Scientists discovered 907 new compounds from fungi in 2024, with most being terpenoids and polyketides that show promise as medicines. These fungal compounds demonstrate strong activity against bacteria, fungi, and inflammation, with some showing potential against cancer and diabetes. The research uses advanced techniques like genome mining and metabolomics to find these compounds more efficiently. This accelerating discovery rate suggests fungi could be a major source for developing new drugs to treat various diseases.

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Investigating the activity of Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma harzianum to mitigate Fusarium wilt disease of diverse cultivars of Vicia faba

Fava beans are damaged by a fungus called Fusarium that causes wilting and crop loss. Scientists tested two beneficial microorganisms—Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis—as natural alternatives to chemical fungicides. Trichoderma worked better, reducing disease by over 70% while also boosting plant health and bean production in two different fava bean varieties.

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Melatonin-Producing Microorganisms: A Rising Research Interest in Their Melatonin Biosynthesis and Effects on Crops

Scientists are discovering that certain microorganisms like yeast, algae, and bacteria naturally produce melatonin, the same molecule that helps humans sleep. These melatonin-producing microbes could help farmers grow healthier crops by sharing their melatonin with plants and protecting them from stress like drought and disease. This discovery offers an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic melatonin and could make agriculture more sustainable as climate change poses increasing challenges.

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Bio-stimulants for plant growth promotion and sustainable management of Rhizoctonia Solani causing black scurf of potato tubers

Researchers tested natural treatments called bio-stimulants to help potato plants fight black scurf disease caused by a fungus called Rhizoctonia solani. They found that combining mycorrhizal fungi with seaweed extract was the most effective at reducing disease and improving potato quality. These natural treatments can enhance plant growth and tuber yield while reducing the need for chemical fungicides, making them valuable for sustainable potato farming.

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MSB2-activated pheromone pathway regulates fungal plasma membrane integrity in response to herbicide adjuvant

Commercial herbicides used in farming contain additives that can harm beneficial soil fungi more than the main active ingredient. This study shows that the additive Triton CG-110 in Roundup herbicide damages fungal cells by disrupting their ability to absorb nutrients. Fungi respond by activating a stress response pathway that helps them survive by reinforcing their cell membranes. Understanding these processes is important for protecting beneficial fungi used in agriculture.

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Trichoderma tlahuicanensis sp. nov. (Hypocreaceae), a novel mycoparasite of Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora capsici isolated from a traditional Mexican milpa

Scientists discovered and formally named a new fungal species called Trichoderma tlahuicanensis, found in traditional Mexican farming fields. This fungus naturally attacks harmful plant diseases like those caused by Fusarium and Phytophthora, making it valuable for protecting crops without synthetic chemicals. The researchers used advanced DNA sequencing to confirm it was indeed a new species, distinct from known Trichoderma relatives.

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A Zn2-Cys6 transcription factor, TgZct4, reprograms antioxidant activity in the fungus Trichoderma guizhouense to defend against oxidative stress

Trichoderma guizhouense is a fungus used to protect plants from harmful pathogens. Researchers discovered that a special protein called TgZct4 acts like a master switch that activates the fungus’s defense system against harmful reactive oxygen molecules. When the fungus encounters stress, TgZct4 turns on genes that produce protective enzymes called catalases and superoxide dismutases, helping the fungus survive. This discovery could help scientists create even more effective biological pest control products.

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Study of the Antagonism of Biocontrol Strains Against the Blue-Stain Fungus of Rubberwood

Rubberwood commonly develops blue staining from fungi, which reduces its value. Scientists isolated two beneficial fungi from rubberwood that can prevent this staining by competing with the harmful fungus. Testing showed that one beneficial fungus, Trichoderma reesei, works better than the other and could be used as a natural treatment to protect rubberwood from blue staining without damaging the wood.

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

Scientists studied how two types of soil fungi interact with each other when grown together in laboratory conditions. By analyzing the chemicals these fungi produce and release, they discovered that the fungi actively communicate and compete with each other in different ways depending on how close they are to each other. The findings show that both airborne chemicals and chemicals released into the soil play important roles in how fungi recognize friends from foes, which could help improve the use of beneficial fungi in agriculture.

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