Functional Diversity in Trichoderma from Low-Anthropogenic Peruvian Soils Reveals Distinct Antagonistic Strategies Enhancing the Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea

Abstract

This study aimed to isolate and characterize native Trichoderma species from soils withlow anthropogenic activity in the central Peruvian rainforest and evaluate their antagonistic mechanisms against Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of gray mold and a modelpolyphagous pathogen. Twenty Trichoderma isolates were evaluated using inhibition assays, a quantitative assessment of mycoparasitism, and endophytic colonization tests in Capsicum baccatum. Ten isolates with promising antifungal activity were identified at the molecular level, revealing T. azadirachtae and T. anisohamatum as the first reports for Peru. Several strains showed a remarkable capacity for root colonization, and in vitro antagonistic activity reached maximum values of approximately 65%. These findings highlight the functional and phylogenetic diversity of Trichoderma strains from Peruvian rainforest soils and support their potential as sustainable biocontrol agents against B. cinerea.
Este estudio tuvo como objetivo aislar y caracterizar especies nativas de Trichoderma de suelos con baja actividad antropogénica en la selva central peruana y evaluar sus mecanismos antagónicos contra Botrytis cinerea, agente causal del moho gris y un patógeno polífago modelo. Se evaluaron veinte aislamientos de Trichoderma mediante ensayos de inhibición, una evaluación cuantitativa del micoparasitismo y pruebas de colonización endofítica en Capsicum baccatum. Se identificaron diez aislamientos con prometedora actividad antifúngica a nivel molecular, revelando que T. azadirachtae y T. anisohamatum son los primeros reportes para Perú. Varias cepas mostraron una notable capacidad de colonización radicular, y la actividad antagónica in vitro alcanzó valores máximos de aproximadamente el 65%. Estos hallazgos resaltan la diversidad funcional y filogenética de las cepas de Trichoderma de suelos de la selva peruana y respaldan su potencial como agentes de biocontrol sostenibles contra B. cinerea.

Description

Keywords

pristine soil ecosystems, biocontrol mechanisms, Peruvian central jungle, phylogenetic diversity

Citation

Functional Diversity in Trichoderma from Low-Anthropogenic Peruvian Soils Reveals Distinct Antagonistic Strategies Enhancing the Biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea - Escuela Profesional de Agronomia