Microscopical examination of plant reaction in case of infection with Trichoderma and Mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

Trichoderma spp. are active ingredients in a variety of commercial biofungicides used to control a range of economically important aerial and soil borne fungal plant pathogens. The antagonistic activity of biocontrol Trichoderma strains is attributable to one or more complex mechanisms, including nutrient competition, antibiosis, the activity of cell wall-lytic enzymes, induction of systemic resistance, and increased plant nutrient availability. 
Mycorrhizal fungi form mutualistic symbioses with a vast majority of land plants, possibly more than 80 % of all land plants. Mycorrhiza represents an important group because they have a wide distribution; may contribute significantly to microbial biomass and to soil nutrient cycling processes in plants. The mycorrhizal fungi are part of biofertilizers, recognized for their beneficialeffects: improved plant nutrition, soil fertility improvement, root pest and disease control, improved water usage, amelioration of toxic effects in soils. The objective in this study is to analyze macroscopically and microscopically the interaction between Trichoderma sp. – mychorrizal fungi and plants in a tripartite system, in order to investigate the host behavior of the plant, as well as aspects concerning the interaction between the three organisms.