Bioprospecting of Trichoderma strains for controlling pathogens from soybean, maize, and beans, and their microbiome characterization

Trichoderma spp. have shown significant biocontrol potential against various phytopathogens in different crops, making them a promising strategy for sustainable crop protection. To isolate new Trichoderma strains with biocontrol potential, thirty-nine isolates from different climatic conditions were obtained from soil samples collected from crops and native forests in Brazil. After in vitro screening against nine phytopathogens, four strains with superior biocontrol potential were selected, and phylogenetic analysis revealed that they belonged to three species: T. zelobreve (2), T. afroharzianum (1), and T. asperelloides (1). T. zelobreve showed the highest biocontrol potential against most pathogens, and this study represents the first report of this species as a potential biocontrol agent against the tested pathogens. Microbiome analysis of the soil samples from the selected isolates was also conducted to gain insights into the microbial communities from distinct climatic regions. Principal coordinate analysis indicated no significant similarities among them, suggesting unique adaptation to specific soil and climatic conditions. The selected Trichoderma strains exhibited adaptability to a wide range of temperatures and showed potential for consistent and effective pathogen inhibition under multiple scenarios. These unique characteristics and potential advantages over other microorganisms make the selected Trichoderma strains promising candidates for biocontrol of important pathogens in various crops. Further studies are underway to develop a formulation for a biocontrol product and evaluate their effectiveness under greenhouse and field conditions.