Abstract

Trichoderma-based biofungicides are a reality in agriculture, with more than 50 formulations available today as registered products worldwide. Several strategies have been applied to identify the main genes and compounds involved in this complex cross-talk between the fungal antagonist and the microbial pathogen, as mediated by the plant. Proteome and genome analysis have greatly enhanced our ability to conduct holistic and genome-based functional studies. We have identified and determined the role of a variety of novel genes and gene-products, including ABC transporters, enzymes and other proteins that produce or act as novel elicitors of induced systemic resistance, proteins recognized by the plant as avirulence factors, as well as molecules that generally activate the antagonistic activity in Trichoderma spp. We have cloned mycoparasitism-related promoters and used them in combination with GFP and other markers to study the interaction in vivo and in situ between Trichoderma and the fungal pathogen or the plant. Finally, we have transgenically improved the ability of the antagonist to kill other microbes and to activate plant defence mechanisms.

Introduction

Plant diseases caused by pathogenic fungi infections represent a major limiting factor for the cultivation and the conservation of agricultural plants of interest. The consequences of parasite attack result in both quantitative and qualitative reduction of crop production, large economic losses and represent a risk for human and animal health due to the accumulation of residues in the environment and mycotoxin contaminants in food products.