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Published on: July 30, 2017
Breeding of mycoparasitic Trichoderma strains for heavy metal resistance
L Kredics1, Z Antal, L Manczinger
1Hungarian Academy of Sciences and University of Szeged, Microbiological Research Group, Hungary. kredics@sirius.cab.u-szeged.hu
Aims:
This study was designed to investigate the effects of 10 heavy metals on the in vitro activities of beta-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, beta-xylosidase and endoxylanase enzymes for six strains of Trichoderma, and to isolate and characterize heavy metal-resistant mutants.
Methods And Results:
At a concentration of 1 mmol, only mercury showed significant inhibitory effects on the in vitro enzyme activities; in all other cases, the enzymes remained active. A total of 177 heavy metal-resistant mutants were isolated and tested for cross-resistance to other heavy metals. Some mutants were effective antagonists of Fusarium, Pythium and Rhizoctonia strains, even on media containing the respective heavy metals.
Conclusion:
Trichoderma strains could be developed as biocontrol agents that are effective against plant pathogenic fungi, even under heavy metal stress.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
Trichoderma mutants resistant to heavy metals might be of value for use with heavy metal-containing pesticides, as part of an integrated plant protection system.
