Like mycorrhizae, Trichoderma sp. do more than just providing their host with nutrients. They offer numerous fitness enhancing services that must not be overlooked. In today’s post I will briefly describe the ecological services provided by Trichoderma sp. and how we are using this group of fungi to enhance our own fitness.
Read moreOverlooked and underappreciated fungal symbiotes; Trichoderma species
Orange filaments in a.) and b.) represent Trichoderma sp. within plant roots. Blue filaments represent fungal pathogens. When invaded by Trichoderma sp. the plant responds by creating cell-wall deposits (black squiggles) which limits Trichoderma and pathogen growth. The first plant in panel c.) represents a healthy, disease resistant plant with Trichoderma sp. present while the second individual represents a disease ridden, less fit plant without the fungal mutualist. Harman et al. 2004.