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Biocontrol efficacy and other characteristics of protoplast fusants between Trichoderma koningii and T. virens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2002

Linda E. HANSON
Affiliation:
USDA-ARS Sugar Beet Research Unit, Crops Research Laboratory, 1701 Centre Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA.
Charles R. HOWELL
Affiliation:
USDA-ARS SPARC, Cotton Pathology Research Unit, 2765 F&B Road, College Station, TX 77845, USA.
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Abstract

Several Trichoderma virens (syn. Gliocladium virens) strains have good biocontrol activity against Rhizoctonia solani on cotton but lack some of the commercially desirable characteristics found in other Trichoderma species. In an attempt to combine these desirable characteristics, we used a highly effective biocontrol strain of T. virens in protoplast fusions with a strain of T. koningii, which had good storage qualities, but little biocontrol efficacy. All fusants were morphologically similar to one of the parental species. However, when compared to the morphologically similar T. koningii parent, two fusants showed significantly better biocontrol activity against R. solani on cotton. In addition, one T. virens-like fusant gave significantly less control than the T. virens parent. Fusants also differed from the morphologically similar parent in the production of secondary metabolites. One fusant was obtained which maintained biocontrol activity during storage for up to a year.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© The British Mycological Society 2002

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