The role of Trichoderma harzianum elicitor protein (Epl1) in terpene secondary metabolites pathway in response of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection and resistance response in plant

Abstract

Phytopathogenic fungi are the causative of serious diseases in plants and are characterized by their greater complexity and diversity in relation to other microbial pathogens. The extraordinary range of hosts and extreme specialization observed in some pathogens highlights this diversity. Pathogenic fungi are also unique in the ability to directly break the surface of the plant, using a large number of biochemical and morphogenetic mechanism to accomplish this task. Therefore, its control is of great significance for the agricultural economy. Biological control is a traditional practice that combined with new knowledge of microbiology, is now widely studied to control pathogens. This method involves the use of beneficial organisms in order to reduce the negative effects of pathogens, promote positive responses in plants and minimize the impact of chemicals in the environment. Fungi of the genus Trichoderma spp. are among the biological control agents most studied and commercially sold as biopesticides, biofertilizers and soil inoculants. Its action is based on different mechanisms such as the production of volatile and non-volatile antibiotics, competition for space and nutrients and mycoparasitism. The aim of this work is to provide a better understanding the role of epl-1 gene in T. harzianum relationship with host plant and plant pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which is a soil pathogen responsible for major losses in various cultures around the world. This project comprises determining the effect of deletion of T. harzianum Epl1 gene in inducing Plant Resistance Response and its involvement with metabolites production and activities related to mycoparasitism process in S. sclerotiorum isolates. (AU)