Diversity and Functional Screening of Trichoderma Species from Soils in Nanchang, China

A total of 111 Trichoderma isolates were obtained from soil samples collected in Nanchang, China. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) gene, these isolates were assigned to 16 distinct phylogenetic lineages closely related to known species, with T. semiorbis, T. asperellum, and T. koningiopsis being the most predominant, accounting for 29, 22, and 16 isolates, respectively. All isolates were functionally screened for the production of five industrially relevant enzymes (laccase, xylanase, cellulase, chitinase, and amylase) and for copper tolerance. Several strains exhibited remarkable enzymatic activities: T. asperellum TasJK96 demonstrated the highest phenol oxidase activity (1.95 ± 0.12 U·mL^- 1), T. virens TviJK51 excelled in xylanase production (41.49 ± 1.02 U·mL^- 1), T. afroharzianum Tafxt15 exhibited the highest cellulase activity (22.56 ± 0.70 U·mL^- 1), T. lentinulae TleJK44 was the top chitinase producer (22.21 ± 0.83 U·mL^- 1), and T. koningiopsis TkoJK88 demonstrated the highest amylase activity (91.26 ± 2.25 U·mL^- 1). Furthermore, 13 isolates displayed tolerance to copper, with T. virens TviJK10 exhibiting growth at concentrations up to 4.90 mmol·L^- 1. This study expands our understanding of Trichoderma diversity in the Nanchang region and provides a collection of promising candidate strains for future biotechnological and bioremediation applications.