BioMed Research International
Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 285261, 21 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/285261

Research Article

Phylogeny and Taxonomical Investigation of Trichoderma spp. from Indian Region of Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hot Spot Region with Special Reference to Manipur

Th. Kamala, S. Indira Devi, K. Chandradev Sharma, and K. Kennedy

Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, Takyelpat Institutional Area, Imphal, Manipur 795001, India

Received 9 September 2014; Revised 14 November 2014; Accepted 16 November 2014

Academic Editor: Wen-Jun Li

Copyright © 2015 Th. Kamala et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Towards assessing the genetic diversity and occurrence of Trichoderma species from the Indian region of Indo-Burma Biodiversity hotspot, a total of 193 Trichoderma strains were isolated from cultivated soils of nine different districts of Manipur comprising 4 different agroclimatic zones. The isolates were grouped based on the morphological characteristics. ITS-RFLP of the rDNA region using three restriction digestion enzymes: Mob1, Taq1, and Hinf1, showed interspecific variations among 65 isolates of Trichoderma. Based on ITS sequence data, a total of 22 different types of representative Trichoderma species were reported and phylogenetic analysis showed 4 well-separated main clades in which T. harzianum was found to be the most prevalent spp. among all the Trichoderma spp. Combined molecular and phenotypic data leads to the development of a taxonomy of all the 22 different Trichoderma spp., which was reported for the first time from this unique region. All these species were found to produce different extrolites and enzymes responsible for the biocontrol activities against the harmful fungal phytopathogens that hamper in food production. This potential indigenous Trichoderma spp. can be targeted for the development of suitable bioformulation against soil and seedborne pathogens in sustainable agricultural practice.

1. Introduction

The genus Trichoderma was widely studied due to its rapid growth, capability of utilizing diverse substrates, and resistance to noxious chemicals [1]. Trichoderma are often the predominant components of the mycoflora in soils of various ecosystems, such as agricultural fields, prairie, forest, salt marshes, and desert [2]. Several Trichoderma species are significant biocontrol agents against fungal phytopathogens and act as stimulators for plant health [3, 4]. Trichoderma species produce diverse metabolites, most notably commercially important cellulose, hemicellulases, antibiotics, peptaibiotics, and the toxins (such as Trichodermamides) and Trichothecenes that display in vitro cytotoxicity [5–8].

Due to the ecological importance of Trichoderma spp. and its application as a biocontrol agent in the field, it is important to understand its biodiversity and biogeography. However, accurate species identification based on morphology is difficult because of the paucity and similarity of morphological characters [9, 10] and increasing numbers of morphologically cryptic species [11, 12]. This has already resulted in incorrect identification [13]. Therefore, with the advent of molecular methods and identification tools based on sequence analysis of multiple genes, it is now possible to identify every Trichoderma isolate and recognize it as a putative new species [9, 14, 15]. The current diversity of the holomorphic genus Hypocrea/Trichoderma is reflected in approximately 160 species, the majority of which have been recognized by molecular phylogeny of pure cultures and herbaria specimens [15, 16].

The natural mechanisms promoting high fungal diversity have remained unclear, but it seems likely that differential preference for soil and climatic conditions and host plants play the key role [17]. A series survey of Trichoderma spp. was conducted in different regions such as China by Zhang et al., 2005 [18], Siberia and Himalayas by Kullnig et al., 2000 [19], Egypt by Gherbawy et al., 2004 [20], and Central and South American region by Druzhinina et al., press. Their studies led to the identification of several new species [21, 22] and furthermore revealed a unique species in all these regions. This could be the result of geographic/climatic bias of some species. In this study we intended to determine the occurrence and species diversity of Trichoderma collected from unique biodiversity hotspot region of NE India.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Geography of Sampling Sites

Sampling was done from nine different districts of Manipur comprising four distinct agroclimatic zones, namely, (i) subtropical plain zone, (ii) subtropical hill zone, (iii) temperate sub-Alpine zone, and (iv) midtropical hill zone, which differ in their geographic location, altitude, and climate (Figure 1). Subtropical plain zone comprises Imphal West (711 m above sea level; average rainfall, 1259.5 mm), Imphal East (790; 1413.0 mm), Thoubal (790 m; 1318.39 mm); Bishnupur (828 m; 1204.2 mm), and some portion of Senapati district (2500 m; 671–1454 mm). Subtropical hill zone comprises Churachandpur (1764 m; 3080 mm) and Chandel district (787 m; 1650.00–3430.85 mm). Temperate sub-Alpine zone comprises Senapati and Ukhrul district (1338 m; 1763.7 mm). While midtropical hill zone comprises Ukhrul and some portion of Imphal and Tamenglong district (1260 m; 3135 mm). Trichoderma isolates investigated in this study were isolated from the total 90 soil samples collected from nine different districts of Manipur (10 samples from each district pooled from 5 spots).

Figure 1: Map of Manipur showing different agroclimatic conditions.

2.2. Isolation and Storage of Pure Cultures

Rose Bengal agar [23] was used as a selective medium for the isolation of Trichoderma species, using soil dilution plating method. 1lt. of Trichoderma selective medium comprises MgSO₄7H₂O (0.2 g), K₂HPO₄ (0.9 g), KCl (015 g), NH₄NO₃ (1.0 g), Glucose (3.0 g), Rose Bengal (0.15 g), and agar (20 g). Putative Trichoderma colonies were purified by two rounds of subculturing on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Pure cultures were maintained in mineral oil at 4°C and also at −20°C by suspending the fungal spores in 10% (w/v) skim milk incorporated with silica powder. At the same time the cultures were lyophilized and stored in ampules.

2.3. Morphological Analysis

For morphological analysis, strains were grown on PDA at 27°C for 7-8 days. Growth rates were determined at 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40°C for 72 h on PDA [24]. Microscopic observations were done using trinocular microscope (Carl Zais Axio ImageM2, Germany). Conidiophore structures and morphology were examined on macronematous conidiogenous pustules or from fascicles when conidia were matured. Conidial morphology and size were recorded after 14 days of incubation. Trichoderma species were identified according to Gams and Bissett [25] and Samuels et al. [26, 27].

2.4. DNA Extraction and Amplification

The extraction of genomic DNA was performed with minor modification as described by Hermosa et al. [28]. The ITS region of the nuclear small-subunit rRNA gene was amplified in an automated thermocycler (Bio-rad-C1000 Thermal Cycler) using the primers ITS1 (TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG) and ITS4 (TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC) as described by White et al., 1990 [29]. The PCR reactions were performed in a total volume of 50 μL, containing 1x standard PCR incubation buffer, 0.5 μM of each primer, 200 μM of each of the four deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates, 1.25 U Taq polymerase and 20 ng genomic DNA with the PCR condition of 94°C for 1 min, annealing at 52°C for 60 sec and 90 sec elongation at 74°C and final extension of 7 min at 74°C in 30 cycles. A negative control with all the reaction mixtures except the DNA template was included with each set of the PCR amplification reactions. Prior to digestion, a 10 μL aliquot of each PCR product, together with the 100 bp ladder (Biogene) which acts as a reference marker, was resolved by gel electrophoresis on 1.5% resolution agarose gel for 40 min at 70 V. Finally, the PCR products were visualized under UV light using Gel imaging system (BioRad, Chemi Doc, MP).

2.5. Restriction Digestion

For restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, PCR products of 65 Trichoderma isolates were digested with three restriction enzymes, namely, Taq1, Hinf1, and Mbo1 in 20 μL reaction mixtures consisting of 10x buffer (2.0 μL), enzyme (0.4 μL), PCR product (6.0 μL), and MQ water (11.6 μL). Reaction mixtures of Mbo1 enzyme were incubated for 1 hr at 37°C, Taq1 for 1 hr at 65°C, and Hinf1 for 7 hrs at 37°C. The RFLP bands were separated by 2.5% (w/v) agarose gel electrophoresis stained with ethidium bromide. ITS-RFLP data were recorded by scoring all DNA bands and compiled in a binary matrix.

2.6. Sequence Assembly and Alignment

Amplification products obtained from PCR reactions with unlabeled ITS primers (ITS1 and ITS4) were used for sequencing and DNA sequences obtained from each forward (ITS) and reverse (ITS4) primer were inspected individually for quality. The consensus sequences of each strain were obtained using Gene Runner software Version 3.05 (Hastings software Inc. Hasting, NY, USA; http://www.generunner.net/). All sequences were aligned using Clustal W with default settings [30].

2.7. Phylogenetic Analysis

Sequence alignment was conducted with the CLUSTAL W program [31]. All characters were equally weighted and alignment gaps were treated as missing data. Relative support for specific clades represented in the tree was estimated by bootstrap analysis of 1000 replicates [32]. Nucleotide divergences were estimated using Kimura’s two-parameter method. Sequence data analysis was carried out by a stepwise approach.

2.8. Extrolites

Culture extracts were made from the potato dextrose broth medium. The extracts were analysed by HPLC and GC-MS data. Authentic analytical standards were employed for retention time and retention index comparison with the extrolites detected.

2.9. Enzyme Production

Screening of chitinase activity was performed using chitin detection medium according to the method given by Agarwal and Kotasthane [33]. Chitin detection medium comprises (all amounts are per litre) 4.5 g of colloidal chitin, 0.3 g of MgSO₄7H₂O, 3.0 g of (NH₄)SO₄, 2.0 g of KH₂PO₄, 1.0 g of citric acid monohydrate, 15 g of agar, 0.15 g of bromocresol purple, and 200 mL of Tween-80; pH adjusted to 4.7. Protease activity of Trichoderma isolates was determined using skim milk agar medium [34]. For screening of β-1,3-glucanases activity, medium amended with laminarin was used according to the modified method given by El-Katatny et al., 2001 [35].

3. Results

A total of 193 Trichoderma spp. were isolated from the cultivated soil of Manipur using Rose Bengal agar medium. This region consists of 4 different agroclimatic conditions with varied soil types and topographical identity (Table 1 and Figure 1). Out of the total collection, 65 Trichoderma isolates were selected based on their morphological identification and their genomic DNA was amplified using the ITS 1 and 4 primers of the rDNA region.

Table 1: Identification, origin, NCBI Genebank accession numbers, and isolation details of the 65 Trichoderma strains.

Sl. number
Isolation code
Species
Genebank accession number
Collection site
Source
Soil type
GPS location

Latitude
Longitude
Altitude (m)

1
IBSD T1
T. harzianum
JX518889
IW
Soil
Alluvial
25°00′N
94°15′E
790

2
IBSD T2
H. intricata
JX518890
IW
Soil
Alluvial
24°30′N
93°45′E
790

3
IBSD T8
H. rufa
JX518891
IE
Soil
Alluvial
23°55′N
92°59′E
790

4
IBSD T9
H. rufa
JX518892
IE
Soil
Alluvial
24°30′N
93°50′E
790

5
IBSD T10
T. aureoviride
JX518893
IE
Soil
Alluvial
24°30′N
93°50′E
790

6
IBSD T11
T. harzianum
JX518894
IE
Soil
Alluvial
23°55′N
92°59′E
790

7
IBSD T12
T. harzianum
JX518895
IE
Soil
Alluvial
92°50′E
23°55′N
790

8
IBSD T15
T. atroviride
JX518896
IE
Soil
Alluvial
23°30′N
93°54′E
787

9
IBSD T17
T. harzianum
JX518897
TH
Soil
Clay loamy
24°45′N
93°45′E
790

10
IBSD T20
H. rufa
JX518898
IE
Soil
Alluvial
23°56′N
92°59′E
795

11
IBSD T21
T. album
JX465711
TH
Soil
Clay loamy
93°45′E
23°45′N
790

12
IBSD T22
T. atroviride
JX465709
IE
Soil
Alluvial
24°30′N
93°50′E
790

13
IBSD T34
T. inhamatum
JX465706
B
Soil
Red gravelly sandy
23°45′N
93°45′E
790

14
IBSD T35
T. aureoviride
JX518899
B
Soil
loamy
24°30′N
93°45′E
790

15
IBSD T36
T. aureoviride
JX518900
B
Soil
loamy
24°30′N
93°45′E
790

16
IBSD T37
T. inhamatum
JX465705
B
Soil
Alluvial
24°15′N
94°15′E
790

17
IBSD T38
T. inhamatum
JX465703
B
Soil
Alluvial
24°30′N
93°45′E
790

18
IBSD T39
T. asperellum
JX518901
B
Soil
loamy
24°0′N
93°15′E
914.4

19
IBSD T40
T. harzianum
JX518902
B
Soil
Red gravelly sandy
24°44′N
93°78′E
828.18

20
IBSD T41
T. amazonicum
JX518903
B
Soil
Alluvial
92°59′E
23°55′N
790

21
IBSD T47
T. harzianum
JX518904
B
Soil
loamy
24°44′N
93°78′E
828.18

22
IBSD T54
T. harzianum
JX465708
B
Soil
loamy
24°44′N
93°78′E
828.18

23
IBSD T61
T. atroviride
JX465707
B
Soil
Alluvial
24°44′N
93°78′E
828.18

24
IBSD T62
T. caribbaeum
JX518905
B
Soil
Alluvial
24°37′N
93°29′E
1788

25
IBSD T66
T. atroviride
JX518906
B
Soil
Red gravelly sandy
24°44′N
93°78′E
828.18

26
IBSD T68
T. aureoviride
JX518907
B
Soil
Loamy
24°44′N
93°78′E
828.8

27
IBSD T69
T. aureoviride
JX518908
B
Soil
Alluvial
24°44′N
93°78′E
828.18

28
IBSD T70
T. harzianum
JX518909
B
Soil
Alluvial
24°44′N
93°78′E
828.18

29
IBSD T71
T. ovalisporum
JX518910
B
Soil
Alluvial
24°37′N
94°15′E
1061

30
IBSD T72
T. aureoviride
JX465701
B
Soil
Loamy
24°15′N
93°30′E
828.18

31
IBSD T74
T. harzianum
JX518911
B
Soil
Red gravelly sandy
24°44′N
93°78′E
828.18

32
IBSD T75
T. harzianum
JX518912
B
Soil
Alluvial
24°44′N
93°78′E
828.18

33
IBSD T77
T. harzianum
JX518913
B
Soil
Loamy
24°0′N
93°78′E
828.18

34
IBSD T78
H. intricata
JX518914
B
Soil
Red gravelly sandy
24°15′N
93°15′E
914.4

35
IBSD T80
T. inhamatum
JX518915
B
Soil
Alluvial
24°3′N
94°0′E
914.4

36
IBSD T81
T. tomentosum
JX518916
B
Soil
Alluvial
25°41′N
94°24′E
2113

37
IBSD T83
T. atroviride
JX518917
B
Soil
Loamy
24°0′N
94°0′E
1507

38
IBSD T85
T. inhamatum
JX518918
B
Soil
Red gravelly sandy
24°45′N
94°15′E
790

39
IBSD T86
T. harzianum
JX518919
B
Soil
Loamy
24°0′N
93°15′E
914.4

40
IBSD T88
T. atroviride
JX465700
B
Soil
Alluvial
24°44′N
93°78′E
828.18

41
IBSD T89
T. harzianum
JX518920
B
Soil
Alluvial
24°44′N
93°78′E
828.18

42
IBSD T100
T. harzianum
JX518924
S
Soil
Lateritic black regur
24°37′N
93°29′E
1061

43
IBSD T101
T. harzianum
JX518925
S
Soil
Red ferruginous
24°37′N
94°15′E
1561

44
IBSD T105
T. aureoviride
JX518926
U
Soil
Red ferruginous
24°44′N
93°15′E
914.4

45
IBSD T108
H. nigricans
JX465710
CH
Soil
Residual
24°0′N
93°15′E
914.4

46
IBSD T110
T. longibrachiatum
JX518921
CH
Soil
Transported
24°20′N
93°15′E
918

47
IBSD T112
T. harzianum
JX518927
U
Soil
Red ferruginous
24°30′N
94°47′E
3110

48
IBSD T114
T. hamatum
JX518928
IW
Soil
Alluvial
25°0′N
93°45′E
790

49
IBSD T116
T. koningiopsis
JX518922
C
Soil
Red gravelly sandy
24°40′N
93°50′E
787

50
IBSD T119
T. aureoviride
JX465702
C
Soil
Loamy
24°40′N
93°50′E
787

51
IBSD T121
T. aureoviride
JX518929
C
Soil
Loamy
24°40′N
93°50′E
790

52
IBSD T137
T. harzianum
JX518930
C
Soil
Alluvial
24°40′N
93°50′E
787

53
IBSD T142
T. harzianum
JX518931
C
Soil
Loamy
24°40′N
93°50′E
787

54
IBSD T149
H. virens
JX518932
C
Soil
Alluvial
24°40′N
93°50′E
790

55
IBSD T153
T. erinaceum
JX518923
C
Soil
Alluvial
24°37′N
93°29′E
1065

56
IBSD T155
H. virens
JX518933
C
Soil
Alluvial
24°40′N
93°50′E
787

57
IBSD T158
H. rufa
JX518934
C
Soil
Loamy
24°40′N
93°50′E
787

58
IBSD T161
H.virens
JX465699
C
Soil
Alluvial
24°40′N
93°50′E
790

59
IBSD T162
T. petersenii
JX518935
C
Soil
Loamy
24°45′N
94°15′E
795

60
IBSD T168
T. album
JX465704
T
Soil
Alluvial
24°59′N
93°30′E
1260

61
IBSD T174
T. gamsii
JX518936
T
Soil
Alluvial
24°59′N
93°30′E
1260

62
IBSD T176
T. spirale
JX518937
T
Soil
Alluvial
24°59′N
93°30′E
1265

63
IBSD T179
T. piluliferum
JX518938
C
Soil
Loamy
24°40′N
93°50′E
795

64
IBSD T184
T. koningiopsis
JX518939
T
Soil
Alluvial
24°59′N
93°30′E
1260

65
IBSD T186
T. atroviride
JX518940
T
Soil
Alluvial
24°59′N
93°30′E
1260

Letters indicate the following locations: IW: soil samples from Imphal West district; IE: Imphal East district; TH: Thoubal district; B: Bishnupur district; S: Senapati district; U: Ukhrul district; CH: Churachandpur district; C: Chandel district, and T: Tamenglong district.

3.1. ITS-RFLP

The phylogenetic diversity of 65 Trichoderma strains was analyzed using ITS restriction fragment length polymorphism (ITS-RFLP) of the ribosomal spacer (rDNA) region. The amplified rDNA fragment length ranged from 548 to 607 bp. The ITS region provided greater resolution for distinguishing isolates of Trichoderma spp. ITS-RFLP carried out by using MboI and Hindf1 illustrated distinct bands to differentiate among the groups as compared to the samples treated with TaqI (Figure 2). Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma aureoviride exhibited a high level of intraspecific polymorphism.

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 2: Restriction digestion of 65 Trichoderma isolates: (a) Taq1, (b) Mbo1, and (c) Hinf1.

3.2. Phylogenetic Inference

The phylogenetic tree obtained by sequence analysis of ITS region of 65 Trichoderma strains is represented in Figure 3. The ITS sequence was chosen for this analysis because it has been shown to be more informative with various sections of the genus Trichoderma [36, 37]. A maximum parsimony analysis of the alienable ITS-sequences of the 65 Trichoderma strains demonstrated a total of 4 distinct clades and all the clades were phylogenetically distinct from each other. Clade A comprises mainly T. harzianum representing the occurrence of biggest group of Trichoderma spp. which was supported by a bootstrap value of 88%. Further clade A is divided into 2 subclades A1 and A2. A1 comprises T. harzianum, T. aureoviride, T. asperellum, T. caribbaeum, and H. intricata. A2 comprises T. petersenii, T. spirale, T. piluliferum, T. ovalisporum, longibrachiatum, T. tomentosum, T. hamatum, T. gamsii, and H. intricata, whereas clade B had close match with T. amazonicum species supported by a bootstrap value of 90%. T. amazonicum was unique as it formed a separate branch basal. Clade C represents four strains of H. rufa along with T. erinaceum, T. album, and H. nigricans supported by a bootstrap value of 82%, whereas clade D comprises mainly of T. aureoviride, T. atroviride, T. koningiopsis, H. virens, and T. inhamatum with bootstrap value of 99%.

Figure 3: Phylogenetic tree of the 65 Trichoderma isolates inferred by maximum parsimony analysis of ITS1 and ITS 4 sequences. The numbers given over branches indicate bootstrap coefficient.

3.3. Species Identification

Out of the total isolates obtained from nine geographically distinct areas of Manipur, 65 isolates were preliminarily identified at the species level by morphological characteristics and later identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. Altogether 22 different Trichoderma species were identified as follows: T. harzianum, H. rufa, H. intricate, T. aureoviride, T. atroviride, T. asperellum, T. amazonicum, T. caribbaeum, T. ovalisporum, T. inhamatum, T. tomentosum, T. longibrachiatum, T. koningiopsis, T. erinaceum, T. hamatum, Hypocrea virens, T. petersenii, T. gamsii, T. spirale, T. piluliferum, T. album, and H. nigricans. The species wise distributions of Trichoderma isolates in 9 different districts of Manipur were represented in Figure 4. The identification, origin, and NCBI Genebank accession numbers and isolation details are given in Table 1.

Figure 4: District wise distribution of different Trichoderma and Hypocrea species in Manipur.

3.4. Production of Different Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes

Each of the representative species of 65 Trichoderma strains was determined for the production of different enzymatic activities, namely, chitinase, protease, and β-1,3-glucanase. These enzymatic activities for each one of the representative strains of 22 different Trichoderma spp. are given in Table 2. Chitinase enzyme that can degrade chitin, a major component of structural polysaccharide of the fungal pathogen cell wall, was evaluated using the chitin detection medium. The diameter of the purple color zone formation indicates the presence of chitinase activity and its zone diameter ranged from 41 to 79.66 mm in which T67 (T. aureoviride) showed the highest chitinase activity. The production of extracellular protease enzyme was determined for all the strains in skim milk agar plate. The diameter of halo zone formation ranged from 10.33 to 42.66 mm, in which T176 (T. spirale) was the highest producer of protease enzyme. β-1,3 glucanase which hydrolyzes the O-glycosidic linkages of β-glucan chains in the fungal cell wall is one of the important defense mechanisms exhibited by Trichoderma to fight against fungal pathogens. All the 22 representative strains of Trichoderma spp. exhibited β-1,3-glucanase activity with a clearance zone diameter ranging from 11.33 to 53.66 mm. T12 (T. harzianum) produced the highest β-1,3-glucanase enzyme activity.

Table 2: Different enzymatic activity exhibited by 22 representative strains of Trichoderma.

Sl. number
Trichoderma
Chitinase (mm)
Protease (mm)
-1,3-glucanase (mm)

1
T. harzianum (T12)
79.33 ± 0.66
23.33 ± 1.20
53.66 ± 0.66

2
H. rufa (T158)
70.33 ± 0.33
32.00 ± 1.52
31.33 ± 0.66

3
H. intricatum (T78)
69.66 ± 0.88
30.33 ± 0.33
39.33 ± 0.66

4
T. aureoviride (T67)
79.66 ± 2.02
30.33 ± 0.33
46.00 ± 0.57

5
T. atroviride (T22)
41.33 ± 0.88
12.33 ± 1.45
30.66 ± 0.66

6
T. asperellum (T39)
49.33 ± 0.66
27.33 ± 1.45
40.66 ± 0.33

7
T. amazonicum (T41)
47.66 ± 0.33
15.66 ± 0.66
39.00 ± 1.00

8
T. caribbaeum (T62)
70.33 ± 0.33
13.66 ± 0.66
41.66 ± 0.33

9
T. ovalisporum (T71)
70.33 ± 0.33
20.33 ± 0.33
30.33 ± 0.33

10
T. inhamatum (T37)
41.00 ± 0.57
14.66 ± 0.33
18.66 ± 1.85

11
T. tomentosum (T81)
72.66 ± 1.20
10.33 ± 0.33
32.33 ± 0.33

12
T. longibrachiatum (T110)
67.66 ± 1.45
20.66 ± 0.33
34.66 ± 1.33

13
T. koningiopsis (116)
77.33 ± 0.66
13.33 ± 1.20
38.66 ± 1.85

14
T. erinaceum (T153)
50.66 ± 0.66
11.00 ± 0.57
18.00 ± 1.00

15
T. hamatum (T114)
58.00 ± 2.51
29.00 ± 0.57
9.66 ± 0.33

16
H. virens (T149)
63.33 ± 1.66
29.66 ± 0.88
25.66 ± 0.33

17
T. petersenii (T162)
78.66 ± 0.66
37.33 ± 1.45
11.33 ± 0.66

18
T. gamsii (T174)
51.66 ± 1.66
31.00 ± 0.57
40.33 ± 0.33

19
T. spirale (T176)
78.33 ± 1.66
42.66 ± 1.45
34.66 ± 0.33

20
T. piluliferum (T179)
52.00 ± 1.52
31.00 ± 1.52
27.33 ± 0.66

21
T. album (T168)
60.33 ± 2.90
16.00 ± 0.57
41.00 ± 0.57

22
H. nigricans (T108)
63.00 ± 2.51
36.33 ± 0.33
51.66 ± 0.66

3.5. Taxonomy

Various phenotypic differences were observed among the 22 investigated groups of Trichoderma spp. All the species were able to grow between 15°C and 30°C with different growth rates. Trichoderma species belongs to the division Ascomycota, subdivision Pezizomycotina, class Sordariomycetes, subclass Hypocreomycetidae, order Hypocreales, and family Hypocreaceae.

(I) Trichoderma harzianum Indira & kamala

Synonyms. Trichoderma inhamatum Veerkamp & W. Gams.

Teleomorph. Hypocrea lixii Patouillard.

Diagnosis. It is a slow growing species with green colony. Hyphae forms cottony white, with watery white in color, mycelia sparse and produced floccose aerial mycelium, conidiophore pyramidal with short vertical intervals and short base secondary branch, phialide ampulliform to flask-shaped (L/W 4.8–8.5 × 2.5–3.5 μm), conidia (L/W 2.7–3.5 × 2.5–3 μm) globose or subglobose, and no scar. Chlamydospores were produced in old cultures which were globose to subglobose, terminal or intercalary, stromata 1.0–1.5 mm diameter, surface smooth, solitary or aggregated, pulvinate, nearly circular in outline, ascospore (L/W 4.3-4.4 × 3.9 × 4.0 μm) green in colour. Pigment often forms yellow color diffusing in medium and no distinct odor detected (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Morphology, conidiophore, spore, and chlamydospore of different Trichoderma strains represented in A, B, C, and D, respectively: 1: T. harzianum, 2: H. rufa, 3: T. aureoviride, 4: T. atroviride, 5: H. intricata, 6: T. inhamatum, and 7: T. koningiopsis.

Optimum Growth Temperature. 30°C.

Optimum pH. 7.00-8.00.

Extrolite. Peptaibols, anthraquinones, and harzianopyridone.

Enzyme Production. Chitinases, β-1,3-glucanase, protease.

(II) Hypocrea rufa Indira & kamala

Synonyms. Sphaeria rufa Persoon.

Anamorph. Trichoderma viride Persoon

 = Trichoderma lignorum Tode Harz = Trichoderma glaucum Abbott

Diagnosis. They are fast growing species with whitish to tan to reddish brown and become darker and cushion-shaped after prolonged growth. Conidiophore conspicuous and extremely variable (curved to sinuous), phialide unpaired, L/W (1.2) 2.0–4.5 (−13.0) μm, conidia L/W 1.0–1.4 μm, pulvinate to hemispherical pustules (<1–3 mm). Chlamydospore not observed, stromata fleshy, ascospore hyaline, L/W 4.2–5.2 × 4.0–4.5 μm, 2-celled fractured at the septum within asci, no distinct odor detected. No distinct pigments detected (Figure 5).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3 glucanase.

(III) Trichoderma aureoviride Indira & kamala

Synonyms. Chromocrea aureoviridis Plowr & Cooke.

Teleomorph. Hypocrea aureoviridis Chaverri.

Diagnosis. Fast growing with optimum growth temperature between 20°C to 25°C. Colonies uniformly flat and velvety, colony color cool white, yellow pigment produced. Hyphae form uniform lawn over the white colony, mycelia aerial comprising short hyphae in the form of a uniform lawn over the colony. Conidiophore arises from substrate hyphae or from aerial hyphae, 50–100 μm long, smooth, typically branched along the length in a verticillate fashion. Conidia L/W 3.5–5 × 2.5–3 μm, green, clavate to ellipsoidal or subglobose shape, often with a truncate or slightly protuberant base smooth, held in drops of pale green to colorless. Stromata solitary to gregarious, 1–5 mm diameter circular to elliptic in outline, centrally but broadly attached, at first yellow but becoming slightly rufous with age. Ascospore L/W 3.5–4.0 × 3.3–3.7 μm, green, more or less monomorphic and subglobose, thick walled. Pigment intense yellow, no distinct odor detected (Figure 5).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 20°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Chrysophanol.

Enzymatic Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(IV) Trichoderma atroviride Indira & kamala

Synonyms. Trichoderma parceramosum Bissett.

Teleomorph. Hypocrea atroviridis Dodd.

Diagnosis. Colony characteristics uniformly dispersed not pustulate or in conflict, sharply delimited and more or less dense central disk within which most conidia form, colony color green after sporulation, colony radius 42–60 mm in three days incubation. Hyphae white, sharply delimited with a more or less dense central disk within which most conidia form, mycelia formed uniform mat. Conidiophores branching typically unilateral although paired branches are common, branches typically arouse at 90° or less with respect to the branch above the point of branching, paired branching systems, phialide 6.0–9.7 μm long, straight or sinuous, sometimes hooked, whorls of 2–4, often cylindrical and narrow neck, conidia L/W 1.0–1.3 μm, subglobose to ovoidal, chlamydospores abundant within 7 days, globose to subglobose, terminal or intercalary, stromata L/W 0.9–2.4 μm in diameter, solitary to gregarious, adjacent stromata often fused, ascospores L/W 4.3-4.4 × 3.9 × 4.0 μm dimorphic, hyaline, thick walled, finely spinulose, distal part globose to subglobose, sweet (coconut) odor typically noticed (Figure 5).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Atroviridin.

Enzymatic Production. β-1,3 glucanase, protease, chitinase.

(V) Hypocrea intricata Indira & kamala

Anamorph. Trichoderma intricatum Samuels and Schroers.

Diagnosis. Colonies grow very fast filling the Petri plate within 1 week up to 90 mm diameter, dark green hyphae dense cottony with aerial mycelium, conidiophore formed around the margin of the colony in a more or less continuous, 2.0–4.0 μm wide cottony pustules, with a discernible main axis, conidia abundant in the aerial mycelium formed concentric ring with dark green color, broadly ellipsoidal to ovoidal, smooth, phialides L/W 6.0–9.7 × 1.8–3.5 μm, legeniform and somewhat swollen in the middle to cylindrical, straight, rarely slightly hooked or sinuous, stromata at first semieffused, 0.5–10 mm in diameter brownish orange to light brown with a white margin (0.5–10 mm diameter), chlamydospore not observed, ascospore L/W 4.3-4.4 × 3.9 × 4.0 μm, hyaline, finely spinulate, dimorphic, distal part subglobose, proximal part wedge-shaped to oblong or slightly ellipsoidal. No diffusing pigments and no distinct odour were detected (Figure 5).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. β-1,3 glucanase, protease, chitinase.

(VI) Trichoderma inhamatum Indira & kamala

Synonyms. Trichoderma harzianum Rifai.

Teleomorph. Hypocrea lixii Pat.

Diagnosis. Colony cottony white at the beginning and later becoming light green after sporulation reaching up to 45–50 mm radius in four-day incubation. Mycelia completely or nearly filling the Petri dish, conidiophores 2.0–4.0 μm wide narrow, flexuous, branches, lack of sterile appendages, phialide uncrowded, frequently paired, globose, chlamydospore not observed, conidia L/W 3.0–3.5 × 2.2–2.5 μm, formed abundantly within 72 h at 25°–30°C on PDA. Yellow pigmentation produced and no odor detected (Figure 5).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzymatic Production. β-1,3-glucanase, protease, chitinase.

(VII) Trichoderma koningiopsis Indira & kamala

Teleomorph. Hypocrea koningiopsis Samuels.

Diagnosis. Colony color compact to cottony white at early stage, later forming deep green to dark green, seldom yellow coloration. Conidial production sometimes restricted to the margin of the colony, sometimes forming cottony pustules, colony radius up to 51–63 mm forming 2-3 concentric rings. Hyphae form dense lawn. Mycelia aerial with broad concentric rings, sometimes forming cottony pustules. Conidiophore branched with long internodes between branches, branches arising slightly less than 90° with respect to the main axis. Phialides L/W 5.5–9.0 × 1.3–3.3 μm, straight, sometimes hooked or sinuous, narrowly lageniform or sometimes swollen in the middle, intercalary phialides present (5.5–9.0 μm long). Conidia L/W 3.5–4.5 × 2.2–3.5 μm deep green to dark green, seldom with yellow coloration, ellipsoidal, lacking a visible basal abscission scar, smooth (3.5–4.5 μm) dry. Chlamydospores abundant to sparse, terminal to intercalary, globose to subglobose, 9.0–9.5 μm diameter. Stromata scattered, circular in outline, 1.5–2.5 mm diameter, broadly attached, margins sometimes free, convex to plane, pulvinate. Ascospores L/W 3.7–4.7 × 2.2–3.5 μm dimorphic, hyaline, thick walled, finely spinulose, distal part globose to subglobose (2.5–3.5 μm), proximal part oblong to wedge-shaped (3.7–4.7 μm) (Figure 5).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(VIII) Hypocrea virens Indira & kamala

Anamorph. T. virens Miller, Giddens & Foster

 = Gliocladium virens Miller = Trichoderma flavofuscum Miller = Gliocladium flavofuscum Miller

Diagnosis. Colony growing fast up to 90 mm diameter within three-day incubation, floccose with effuse conidiation typically covering the entire surface of the plate, conidiophores hyaline, smooth-walled, L/W 12.4–133.0 × 4.2–6 μm, conidia produced concentrically or near the margin of the plate, metulae (subtending hyphae) cylindrical (L/W 8.5–13.8 × 2.7–4.8 μm), stromata 0.8–1.0 mm, solitary and scattered, pulvinate, light yellow, nearly circular in outline, phialides lageniform to ampulliform, length 8.6–9.9 μm, base 2.1–2.7 μm wide, width at the widest 3.4–4.5 μm. Conidia green, smooth, broadly ellipsoidal to obovoid, 4.2–4.9 × 3.6–4.2 μm. Chlamydospores abundant, terminal or intercalary, subglobose, 6.3–12.4 × 6.1–10.1 μm. A yellow pigmentation of the agar was sometimes present on PDA (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Morphology, conidiophore, spore, and chlamydospore of different Trichoderma strains represented in A, B, C, and D, respectively: 8: H. virens, 9: T. album, 10: T. hamatum, 11: T. petersenii, 12: T. asperellum, 13: T. longibrachiatum, 14: T. caribbaeum, 15: T. amazonicum, 16: T. gamsii, 17: T. spirale, 18: T. tomentosum, 19: T. piluliferum, 20: T. ovalisporum, 21: H. nigricans, and 22: T. erinaceum.

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(IX) Trichoderma album Indira & kamala

Synonyms. Trichoderma polysporum Rifai.

Diagnosis. Fast growing with uniform spreading mycelia and color changing to light green, after sporulation, hyphae somewhat cottony, green conidia forming in thick and broadly ellipsoidal, mycelia aerial, branched conidiophore, phialide somewhat swollen in the middle. No distinct pigments formed and no distinct odour was detected (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzymatic Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(X) Trichoderma hamatum Indira & kamala

Synonyms. Verticillium hamatum Bonorden

 = Pachybasium hamatum Bonord. Saccardo = Phymatotrichum hamatum Bonorden = Monosporium ellipticum Daszewska.

Diagnosis. Colony grew moderately, reaching up to 5 cm in diameter after 3-day incubation, very white and often grew densely, producing some aerial mycelium which is fluccose in nature, produce disperse cushion shaped. Hyphae white with dense central disk, mycelia grew mostly close to the agar, conidiophore compact tufts with large color variation, pale yellow and greenish yellow to greyish green, phialides densely clustered on wide main axis, conidia L/W 4.2–5.0 × 2.7–3.0 μm, green ellipsoidal, 2.7–3.0 μm, smooth, chlamydospores terminal and intercalary, subglobose to globose with 10–13 μm diameter, 48–53 mm colony radius at 25°C–30°C, not growing at or above 35°C. No diffusing pigments and no odor produced (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 6.5.

Extrolites. Dermadin.

Enzymatic Production. β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, protease.

(XI) Trichoderma petersenii Indira & Kamala

Teleomorph. Hypocrea petersenii Samuels.

Diagnosis. Colony formed conspicuous concentric ring, colony diameter 33–45 mm, colony typically formed abundant conidia with concentric rings, conidia formed dark green color. Hyphae cottony white, mycelium aerial, conidiophore often visible in pustules, entirely fertile and plumose, symmetrical, comprising a recognizable main axis. Phialides L/W 8.8–9.2 × 4.0–4.2 μm, typically straight, legeniform, cylindrical or slightly swollen in the middle, held in whorls of 3 to 4, intercalary phialides not seen, conidia L/W 4.2–5.0 × 2.7–3.0 μm, ellipsoidal to broadly ellipsoidal, smooth. Chlamydospore abundant to sparse or lacking, terminal or intercalary, globose to subglobose (6.5–12 mm diameter). Stromata 0.8–1.0 mm, scattered to gregarious, at first thin, semieffused, tan with a lighter-coloured margin, velvety, gradually becoming thicker, pulvinate to discoidal and reddish brown. Ascospores L/W 3.0-4.0 × 2.7–3.7 μm, hyaline, finely spinulose, dimorphic, distal part subglobose, proximal part wedge-shaped to oblong or slightly ellipsoidal. No pigment formed and no distinctive odor detected (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase.

(XII) Trichoderma asperellum Indira & Kamala

Teleomorph. Hypocrea asperella Starback.

Diagnosis. Colony grew moderately forming up to 5 concentric rings of dense conidial production, hyphae formed lawn, mycelia sparse and grew close to the agar, aerial mycelium lacking, conidiophore regularly branched and typically paired, phialide straight, conidia L/W 1.0–1.7 μm, green to dark green, cushion shaped tufts, subglobose or ovoidal, finely spinulose. Chlamydospore abundant within one week, terminal or infrequently intercalary, hyphae, subglobose to ovoidal, smooth, and pale green. No distinct pigments and no distinct odour were detected (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(XIII) Trichoderma longibrachiatum Indira & Kamala

Teleomorph. H. orientalis Samuels.

Diagnosis. Colony continuous, confluent pulvinate aggregates, colony radius 65–70 mm within three days of incubation, conidial mass dark green, sometimes mottled with white flecks, conidia formed within 24 h at 30°–40°C tending to form concentric rings, hyphae sometimes mottled with white flecks and often with inconspicuous wefts of yellow hyphae on the surface of the conidial mass. Conidiophore consists of a strongly developed central axis, often paired; the main axis was 2.2–3.2 μm wide, phialides L/W 4.8–8.5 × 2.5–3.5 μm, solitary, rarely in verticils, intercalary. Conidia ellipsoidal to oblong, green in color. Chlamydospores generally abundant, terminal and then subglobose to globose or intercalary. Pigment yellow diffusing through the agar, no distinct odor detected (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 30°C–35°C.

Optimum pH. 6.5.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(XIV) Trichoderma caribbaeum Indira & Kamala

Teleomorph. Hypocrea caribbaea Samuels & Schroers.

Diagnosis. Colony radius 40–45 mm, green after sporulation with faint concentric rings or poor conidial production, conidia formed slowly on PDA, after 72–96 h at 20°C, hyphae uniform cottony, mycelia abundant aerial, conidiophore projecting from the pustules, entirely fertile or sparingly branched, phialides L/W 6.4–7.5 × 3.1–3.4 μm, held in cruciate to verticillate whorls of 3 or 4 arising singly, straight, lageniform, somewhat swollen in the middle, conidia L/W 3.1-3.2 × 3 μm, green without yellow coloration, ellipsoidal to nearly oblong, smooth. Chlamydospore produced sparingly, terminal on hyphae, subglobose, stromata 0.5–10 mm in diameter, scattered, light brown to brownish orange, irregular or nearly circular, more or less pulvinate, ascospore L/W 4.2–5.2 × 4.0–4.5 μm, cylindrical, apex thickened, with a minute pore, hyaline, finely spinulose, dimorphic, distal part subglobose to slightly conical. No pigment diffusing through the agar and no distinct odor detected (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(XV) Trichoderma amazonicum Indira & Kamala

Teleomorph. Hypocrea amazonica Cooke.

Holotypes. Cultura sicca BPI880413, culturia viva IB 50.

Etymology. “Amazonicum” for its origin in the Amazon basin.

Diagnosis. Colony forms cottony, colony radius reached 59–69 mm at 25°C, green conidia formed in thick and dense concentric rings, colony formed loose pustules, tending to aggregate towards the distal parts of the colony, few aerial hyphae, mycelia completely filling the Petri dish with dense conidia. Conidiophore pyramidal fashion, branches arise at almost 90° with respect to the main axis, phialide flask-shaped (6.4–7.7 × 3.3–3.5 μm), conidia (3.2–3.4 × 3, L/W 1.2–1.20), globose, scar generally visible, chlamydospore-like structures formed in clusters, hyaline and thin-walled. No diffusing pigmentation, slightly fruity odor found (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(XVI) Trichoderma gamsii Indira & Kamala

Diagnosis. Colony characteristics at first yellow, then gradually changing to green, pustules cottony to dense, conidia forming abundantly conspicuous concentric rings, dense white, colony diameter (>45 mm after 72 hr). Hyphae forming mat-like structure. Conidiophore neither extensive nor uniformly branched, phialides L/W 8.5–9.0 × 4.0–4.2 μm, solitary, common, lageniform. Conidia L/W 3.2–5 × 2.5–3 μm, smooth, ellipsoidal, and warted in structure. Chlamydospores typically abundant, subglobose, terminal hyphae (8.0–11.5 μm), sometimes with a pale yellow diffusing pigment, typically with a strong coconut-like odor (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(XVII) Trichoderma spirale Indira & Kamala

Diagnosis. Colony formed more or less distinct concentric rings. Pustules typically formed, pulvinate to subglobose, gray-green (0.5–1.5 mm), compact, colony color yellowish green. Hyphae formed uniform lawn, mycelia cool white fluorescent light with pustules formed around the periphery of the colony and a synanamorph forming abundantly in the aerial mycelium. Conidiophore formed a sterile hair from the base from which arise short, broad fertile branches. Phialides L/W 8.8–9.2 × 4.0–4.2 μm, arise singly, directly from any of the branches, or they arise in whorls at the end of branches, phialides often doliform then clustered in grape-like fashion, when not densely clustered they are ampulliform. Conidia L/W 3.5–4.5 × 2.5–3.0 μm, green in color, oblong to narrowly ellipsoidal (2.5–3.0 μm), smooth. Chlamydospores typically abundant, intercalary, often formed in chains of several globose to subglobose (7.0–15.0 μm) diameter. A yellow pigment tending to diffuse through the agar within 48 h (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(XVIII) Trichoderma tomentosum Indira & Kamala

Synonyms. Trichoderma cerinum.

Diagnosis. Fast growing, conidia first appeared within 72 h at 25–30°C in a dense central disk, after 144 h conidia formed into pronounced concentric rings. Colony formed pustules in a narrow band around the edge of the colony, colony cool white fluorescent light, colony radius reached up to 45–50 mm. Hyphae dense, mycelia cool white, conidia formed pustules in the narrow band around the edge of the colony, synanamorph abundant in the aerial mycelium, conidiophore comprised an unbranched or infrequently branched sterile hair from the base, phialide L/W 4.5–5.5 × 2.8–3.5 μm, tending to be short and broad, almost ovoidal with a distinct neck and grape-like clusters at the tips of fertile branches, conidia L/W 3.0–3.5 × 2.2–5.2 μm, grey-green, broadly ellipsoidal, smooth, chlamydospore scattered on CMD, globose to subglobose, terminal or intercalary. No diffusing pigment and distinctive odour detected (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Metabolite Production. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(XIX) Trichoderma piluliferum Indira & Kamala

Teleomorph. Hypocrea pilulifera Lu.

Diagnosis. Fast growing, initially formed white colony and subsequently green, colony diameter reaching up to 40–50 mm, colony rough in nature, olive green color in later stages. Hyphae and mycelia rough and spiny. Conidiophore more or less symmetrical near the tip, branches arising at 90°. Phialides L/W 8.8–9.2 × 4.0–4.2 μm, botryose arrangement of plumbroad phialides on a broad conidiophore. Conidia L/W 4.3–4.5 × 3.6–4.0 μm, hyaline, smooth and rough, rounded, globose, sometimes with papilla. Chlamydospores terminal and intercalary in chain (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolite. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(XX) Trichoderma ovalisporum Indira & Kamala

Synonyms. Trichoderma koningii.

Diagnosis. Fast growth, colony characteristics cottony having grey-green pustules, each pustule comprising intertwined hyphae, phialides and conidia, colony color intermittent light forming green conidia, conidia ovoidal to broadly ellipsoidal or subglobose, L/W 1.1–1.3 (−1.6), formed abundantly in faint concentric rings within 72 h at 25°C–30°C on PDA, hyphae 3.0–4.5 mm, mycelia nearly or completely filling the Petri dish, confluent green pustules forming in the centre of the colony, conidiophore conspicuous, arising at or near 90° with respect to the main axis, secondary branches producing phialides directly, main axis ranging from 1.7–2.0 to 4.0−6.2 μm wide, phialides paired or arising in whorls, typically arising at 90° with respect to the cell below, flask-shaped, intercalary phialides formed, chlamydospore: scattered, subglobose, terminal in submerged hyphae, L/W (6.0–) 7.0–10.0 (−12) × (4.0–) 6.2–8.7–10.5 μm. No pigment and no odor detected (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(XXI) Hypocrea nigricans Indira & Kamala

Synonyms. Hypocrea lentiformis, Rehm 1898, Chromocrea nigricans S. Imai 1935.

Diagnosis. Colony radius 45–50 mm formed pustules in culture, conidiophore aggregated forming weakly developed pustules, phialides straight, 7.6 μm length, 2.0 μm width at the base, 2.8 μm width at the widest shape, conidia 3.2 × 2.8 μm (L/W), globose to subglobose, chlamydospore: 7.8 × 9.0 μm. Pigment yellow, distinct odor not detected (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Metabolites. Peptaibols.

Enzymatic Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

(XXII) Trichoderma erinaceum Indira & Kamala

Diagnosis. Colony formed flat lawns in concentric rings with some tendency to form flat pustules reaching colony radius 60–65 mm within 3-day incubation and dark green in color. Hyphae formed flat lawns, mycelia concentric rings with some tendency to form flat pustules, conidiophore branches arising at angles of 90°C or less with respect to the main axis, the main axis of the conidiophore (2.2–3.0 μm wide). Phialides arose from branches near the base or in whorls of 2 or 3, nearly cylindrical to swollen in the middle (6.0–8.0 μm long), conidia 1.3–1.5 (L/W), ellipsoidal to broadly ellipsoidal (1.3–1.5), smooth, sometimes yellow associated with conidia in pustules. Chlamydospore terminal to intercalary, globose to subglobose (10.0–13.0 μm). No diffusing pigment was detected. More or less strong odour detected (Figure 6).

Optimum Growth Temperature. 25°C–30°C.

Optimum pH. 4.00.

Extrolites. Peptaibols.

Enzyme Production. Protease, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase.

4. Discussion

The present study on the occurrence and diversity of Trichoderma spp. from Manipur was carried out for the first time from this region. The samples were collected from different subtropical agroclimatic zones comprising both hills and plains and were allowed to grow in Trichoderma specific media. Despite the fact that Trichoderma spp. are major group of organisms found from the mycoflora in tropical forest and cultivated soil, their actual distribution, presence, and association with different plants and soils have not been fully investigated. The results from this study stress the importance of the use of molecular identifications tools to describe the occurrence of Trichoderma diversity from this region. Detection of polymorphism using PCR-RFLP analysis of the rDNA ITS region has been successfully used for identifying several species of fungi [38, 39]. In this study, from the total 193 Trichoderma isolates obtained from 9 different districts, 65 Trichoderma isolates were selected according to their morphological identification and they were grouped using ITS-RFLP using three restriction enzymes, namely, Taq1, Mob1, and Hindf1. The ITS region sequences data of the 65 Trichoderma isolates gave 22 different species which were represented by both Trichoderma and Hypocrea spp. [40]. The bulk of evidence [41] strongly suggests that Trichoderma (anamorph) and Hypocrea (teleomorph) are a single holomorph genus. The result obtained from phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences of 65 Trichoderma isolates showed 4 distinct clades. Considering the phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences, T. harzianum represents the dominant group of Trichoderma spp. reported from this region [9, 42–44].

The 22 different representative Trichoderma spp. were H. rufa, H. intricate, T. atroviride, T. asperellum, T. amazonicum, T. caribbaeum, T. ovalisporum, T. inhamatum, T. tomentosum, T. longibrachiatum, T. koningiopsis, T. erinaceum, T. hamatum, H. virens, T. petersenii, T. gamsii, T. spirale, T. piluliferum, T. album, and H. nigricans. In this study, we also detected a remarkable diversity of genetically sibling species from the Harzianum clade in nearly all soil samples [45, 46]. The second abundant species identified in the present study was Trichoderma aureoviride. Major interrelated factors affecting microbial diversity in soil include physicochemical properties of soil. The relative effects of these factors differ in different soil types, horizons, and climatic zones [46]. The diversity and occurrence of Trichoderma species reported from four different agroclimatic zones of Manipur, namely, (i) subtropical plain zone, (ii) subtropical hill zone, (iii) temperate sub-Alpine zone, and (iv) midtropical hill zone, clearly indicate that the climatic topography and soil type are a major factor in the species distribution of Trichoderma. The subtropical plain zone comprises four districts, namely, Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Bishnupur district. A total of 11 different species of Trichoderma occurred in this zone, namely, T. atroviride, T. ovalisporum, T. album, T. tomentosum, T. harzianum, H. intricata, T. hamatum, H. rufa, T. aureoviride, T. inhamatum, and T. amazonicum, and common soil types which occur in this region were alluvial, clay loamy, red gravelly sandy, and loamy soil. Subtropical hill zone covers two main districts, namely, Churachandpur and Chandel. In this district a total of 10 different types of Trichoderma species were found to occur, namely, T. harzianum, T. longibrachiatum, T. piluliferem, T. petersenii, H. virens, H. rufa, H. nigricans, T. aereoviride, T. koningiopsis, and T. erinaceum, with the occurrence of alluvial and loamy soil types. The temperate sub-Alpine zone comprises two districts, namely, Senapati and Ukhrul. In this type of zone only few types of Trichoderma variety were present, namely, T. harzianum and T. aureoviride, having soil type of lateritic black regur and red ferruginous, whereas, the midtropical hill zone covered only one district, namely, Tamenglong district, part of Ukhrul, and some portion of Imphal and Tamenglong district with the report of occurrence of 5 types of species, namely, T. atroviride, T. album, T. koningiopsis, T. gamsii, and T. spirale. The soil type mainly comprises alluvial soil. The occurrence of highest genetic diversity of Trichoderma species was reported from Bishnupur district with a total of eleven types of Trichoderma spp. followed by Chandel district with nine spp. and Tamenglong and Imphal East districts with five and four spp., respectively.

All the 22 representative strains of Trichoderma were found to produce three important enzymes, namely, chitinase, protease, and β-1,3-glucanase. The production of chitinase enzymes by these 22 representative strains which were represented by the purple color zone formation ranges from 41 to 79.66 mm in diameter. Harman et al. [3] described the types of chitinase detected from T. harzianum, T. atroviride, and T. virens. Howell [47] tested the role of chitinases in mycoparasitism and believed that chitinase is a key enzyme in this process. The protease activity ranged from 10.33 to 42.66 mm clearance zone diameter in skim milk agar medium. Benitez et al. [48] demonstrated that protease from T. harzianum plays an important role in biological control. Szekeres et al. [49] reported the role of protease in the mycoparasitism and have reinforced with the isolation of new protease overproducing strains of T. harzianum. β-1,3-glucanases have been found to be directly involved in the mycoparasitism interaction between Trichoderma species and its host [50]. Production of four β-1,3-glucanases and their role of hydrolyzing the O-glycosidic linkage of β-1,3-glucan chains in the fungal cell wall by T. harzianum have been described by Kitamoto et al. [51]. This work on diversity analysis of Trichoderma strains will provide a better identification of Trichoderma spp. with biocontrol mechanisms which can be used for the development of suitable bioformulation in sustainable agriculture.

Disclosure

The Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Imphal, is an autonomous Research and Development Institute under Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgment

The authors thank Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, for providing financial support during this work programme.

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