Project description:The free-living soil fungus Trichoderma hamatum GD12 is notable amongst other Trichoderma strains in exhibiting both biocontrol and plant growth promotion (PGP) activities, which are coincident with a markedly expanded genome when compared to other characterised biocontrol and PGP isolates. Here, we make direct comparisons of T. hamatum GD12 transcription during PGP, and during antagonism of the root-infecting pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, in peat-based microcosms. An extensive mRNA-seq analysis sampling six time-points, 1, 2, 4, 7, 10 and 15 days after microcosm establishment revealed dynamic and biphasic signatures in the transcriptional responses of T. hamatum GD12 during Sclerotinia biocontrol and lettuce growth promotion. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes demonstrated up-regulation of transportation and oxidation-reduction genes during both processes. Sclerotinia biocontrol is most likely mediated by the synthesis and secretion of antifungal compounds. Notably, the biphasic response during biocontrol was further characterised by the expression of a number of uncharacterised GD12 genes, small-secreted cysteine rich proteins and secondary metabolite producing gene clusters. This work demonstrates that T. hamatum GD12 harnesses a reservoir of uncharacterised genes that are actively engaged during effective biological control of a plurivorous plant pathogen.
Project description:Trichoderma spp. are ubiquitous soil-borne ascomycetous fungi that have been used widely in the biological control of plant diseases. Certain strains also exhibit growth promotion of plants, but the mechanism for this phenomenon has not yet been elucidated. We have recently identified an isolate of T. hamatum that causes significant increases in the development of Arabidopsis root systems. The aim of this work is to elucidate the mechanism of root growth promotion. One approach is to analyse the transcriptome of plants grown in the presence and absence of the fungus. Experimenter name = Christopher Thornton Experimenter phone = 01392 264653 / 01392 264689 Experimenter department = Washington Singer Lab Experimenter address = School of Biological and Chemical Sciences Experimenter address = University of Exeter Experimenter address = Perry Road, Exeter, Experimenter zip/postal_code = EX4 4QG Experimenter country = UK Keywords: pathogenicity_design, stimulus_or_stress_design
Project description:Cannabis sativa L., which has been reclassified as an agronomic crop, has experienced an increase in cultivation. Its interactions with a variety of environmental stressors have been extensively studied. However, the mechanisms of recovery through fungal associations remain underexplored. Trichoderma hamatum, known for its role as a biological agent, enhances plant growth and provides antagonistic defense against pathogenic microbes. This meta-dataset aims to investigate whether Th can enhance drought resistance in a Cannabis plants.
