Coriolopsis glabro-rigens was firstly reported from Hainan Province.It was a new record to the Chinese fungal flora,it grew on angiosperm wood and caused a white rot.Illustrated description of the new record was given...Coriolopsis glabro-rigens was firstly reported from Hainan Province.It was a new record to the Chinese fungal flora,it grew on angiosperm wood and caused a white rot.Illustrated description of the new record was given in detail based on the materials from China.展开更多
A lignicolous fungus,Hydnochaete tabacina(Berk.& M.A.Curtis) Ryvarden,was newly recorded from China,it was found on Quercus variabilis in Beijing.An illustrated description of this species was given based on the m...A lignicolous fungus,Hydnochaete tabacina(Berk.& M.A.Curtis) Ryvarden,was newly recorded from China,it was found on Quercus variabilis in Beijing.An illustrated description of this species was given based on the materials related.展开更多
The choice of active Trichoderma strains is important in designing effective and safe biocontrol applications. Many species of Trichoderma have multiple strategies for fungal antagonism and indirect effects on plant h...The choice of active Trichoderma strains is important in designing effective and safe biocontrol applications. Many species of Trichoderma have multiple strategies for fungal antagonism and indirect effects on plant health, such as growth promotion, systemic resistance induction and fertility improvements. Some strains are powerful antibiotic producers, and their suitability for use in biocontrol systems must be carefully assessed. However, many other active strains have no antibiotic capacity, and these are likely to be more useful in food production systems since they have not adverse effects on important groups of beneficial soil organisms. We have assessed the performance of selected naturally occurring Trichoderma strains (singly and in combination) and developed TUSAL, a mixture of Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride that has demonstrated to be effective against major pathogens in sugar beet and horticulture. TUSAL, has been bulked up and tested under field conditions, showing positive effects on precocity and root development, and increasing the crop production in field trials carried out in different pathosystems. The environmental impact of TUSAL strains on beneficial organisms in the environment were assessed before release, and molecular detection methods were developed to monitor the presence and performance of strains in the field. In addition, Trichoderma protein extracts with high glucanase and chitinase activities, have also been obtained from wild type strains and their effectiveness as biofungicides was tested in laboratory and field conditions, defining the concentration of protein necessary to produce fungicide effects. The genes coding for protein production were introduced into suitable organisms for large-scale production in the laboratory, never released to the environment. The effect of these novel biofungicide proteins was studied separately and synergistically with Trichoderma conidia, and with minimal doses of chemical fungicides. Suitable active Trichoderma strains are being registered in the EU by the company NBT. Both Trichoderma strains and proteins are included in formulations patented as biocontrol agents.展开更多
Trichoderma is a fungal genus of great and demonstrable biotechnological value, but its genome is poorly surveyed compared with other model microorganisms. Due to their ubiquity and rapid substrate colonization, Trich...Trichoderma is a fungal genus of great and demonstrable biotechnological value, but its genome is poorly surveyed compared with other model microorganisms. Due to their ubiquity and rapid substrate colonization, Trichoderma species have been widely used as biocontrol organisms for agriculture, and their enzyme systems are widely used in industry. Therefore, there is a clear interest to explore beyond the phenotype to exploit the underlying genetic systems using functional genomics tools. The great diversity of species within the Trichoderma genus, the absence of optimized systems for its exploration, and the great variety of genes expressed under a wide range of ambient conditions are the main challenges to consider when starting a comprehensive functional genomics study. An initial project started by three Spanish groups has been extended into the project TRICHOEST, funded by the EU (FP5, QLRT-2001-02032) to target the transcriptome analysis of selected Trichoderma strains with biocontrol potential, in conditions related to antagonism, nutrient stress and plant interactions. Once specific conditions were defined, cDNA libraries were produced and used for EST sequencing. Nine strains from seven Trichoderma species have been considered in this study and an important amount of gene sequence data has been generated, analyzed and used to compare the gene expression in different strains. In parallel to sequencing, genomic expression studies were carried out by means of macro-arrays to identify genes expressed in specific conditions. In silico analysis of DNA sequencing data together with macro-array expression results have lead to a selection based on the potential use of the gene sequences. The selected clone sequences were completed and cloned in appropriate vectors to initiate functional analysis by means of expression studies in homologous and heterologous systems.展开更多
The molecular basis of Trichoderma -plant interaction is very complex and still not completely understood. The colonization of the root system by rhizosphere competent strains of Trichoderma results in increased devel...The molecular basis of Trichoderma -plant interaction is very complex and still not completely understood. The colonization of the root system by rhizosphere competent strains of Trichoderma results in increased development of root/aerial systems, in improved yields and in plant disease control. Other beneficial effects, such as the induction of plant systemic resistance, have also been described. To understand the mechanisms involved we are using different approaches, including the making of transformants expressing genes that encode for compounds able to affect plant response to pathogens. Trichoderma transformants carrying the avirulence gene Avr4 from Cladosporium fulvum under the control of constitutive and inducible promoters were obtained and tested on tomato plants having the Cf4 resistance gene. Necrosis and suberification zones, similar to the symptoms appearing during Cladosporium-tomato interaction, were found when the roots of the Cf4 plants were treated with Avr4-Trichoderma. This demonstrates that selected Trichoderma strains are able to transfer to the plant molecules that may deeply affect metabolism, disease resistance etc. Therefore, these beneficial fungi can be regarded as biotechnological tools to provide a variety of crops with useful compounds. Moreover, in in vitro competition assays the transformants were found to be more effective as antagonists against Alternaria alternata than the wild type. Trichoderma sends a variety of biochemical signals to the plants including avirulence molecules; therefore the presence of avr-like proteins in the fungus proteome was investigated. Proteome analysis has permitted us to isolate and sequence many proteins potentially having this function. From the extracellular protein extracts, we have purified and sequenced a protein with structural characteristics similar to Avr4 of C. fulvum. The protein, Hytra1, was found to be a hydrophobin with chitin binding activity, the typical 8 cysteine residues, and 4 disulfide bridges. Infiltrations of the extracellular protein fractions containing Hytra1 resulted in a strong HR reaction on tobacco and tomato leaves, and induction of a novel phytoalexin.展开更多
Different from ribosomal genes, which contain highly conserved sequences that are detected in all organisms, the intergenic spacer of rDNA (IGS) appears to be the most rapidly-evolving spacer region. For this reason w...Different from ribosomal genes, which contain highly conserved sequences that are detected in all organisms, the intergenic spacer of rDNA (IGS) appears to be the most rapidly-evolving spacer region. For this reason we tested this region for phylogenetic studies. This report focuses on the study of IGS sequences of isolates belonging to Trichoderma section (T. viride, T. koningii, T. hamatum, T. erinaceus, T. asperellum) and Pachybasium section (T. harzianum, T. crassum, T. fasciculatum, T. oblongisporum, T. virens). Using the primer pair 28STD and CNS1, the Fast Start Taq DNA Polymerase (Roche), and a three temperature PCR protocol, products ranging from ca 1900 to 2400 bp were obtained from all tested isolates. The PCR product of 16 Trichoderma spp. isolates was cloned into a pGEM-TEeasy Vector (Promega) and sequenced. Based on a BLAST search we can conclude that the PCR product represents the whole IGS region. Multiple alignments of IGS sequences revealed two portions with different homology level. Portion A (ca 1660 bp) is the portion that contains 3’ end of 28S gene and is the more variable, while portion B (ca 830 bp), that contains the 3’ end of IGS region and the 5’ end of 18S gene, is the less variable. Comparing all sequences in region A 705 identical pairs occur out of 1704 total nucleotides (41.4%), while in region B identical pairs were 723 out of 832 total nucleotides (86.9%) . Sequence comparison of the two regions at intraspecific level (where it was possible) showed higher variability in region A (0.17%-6.8%) than in region B (0.0%-1.0%) . At interspecific level, performing all possible comparisons, the variability of region A (19.5%-52.7%) and B (0.8%- 16.9%). were significantly higher. Comparing sequences of species belonging to Trichoderma section variability of the two regions appears reduced if compared with that obtained from comparisons of species belonging to Pachybasium section. On the basis of sequence alignment, phylogenetic trees were obtained either with entire IGS, with region A, and with region B. Results of this analysis revealed that all isolates belonging to Trichoderma section grouped separately from isolates belonging to Pachybasium section. IGS region allowed us to group species according to their taxonomic position. The topology of the tree did not change substantially, varying in genetic distance only. Performing a GenBank search sequences representing the final portion of the IGS region of other fungal species were found, and we carried out a multiple alignment using also our sequences of Trichoderma spp. and Diaporthe helianthi. The phylogeny inferred from sequence alignment matched the generally accepted morphology-based classification and was identical to other molecular schemes at high taxonomic level. Data analysis was useful in establishing a broad-scale phylogeny of Ascomycota and was also useful in sorting them into statistically-supported clades. The tree showed that Trichoderma occurred in a well-supported terminal subclade of a larger clade that also contained other genera belonging to Hypocreales order. Sequence analysis of the Trichoderma spp. IGS region allowed us to design a specific PCR primer that was successfully used to amplify region A. The new reverse primer LCR2, that recognize all Trichoderma isolates, was identified in region B and confirmed for its specificity on the DNA of fungi belonging to other Ascomycota genera. Results obtained showed that IGS region seems to be an interesting and versatile tool for phylogenetic analysis, for resolving some taxonomic problems and for constructing specific primer useful for different purposes.展开更多
Trichoderma atroviride strain P1 has been used extensively to study the mycoparasitic mechanisms in the interaction between plant pathogenic host and beneficial antagonistic fungi. Mutants of P1 containing the green f...Trichoderma atroviride strain P1 has been used extensively to study the mycoparasitic mechanisms in the interaction between plant pathogenic host and beneficial antagonistic fungi. Mutants of P1 containing the green fluorescent protein (gfp) or glucose oxidase (gox) reporter systems and different inducible promoters (from the exochitinase nag1 gene, or the endochitinase ech42 gene of P1) were used to determine the factors that activate the biocontrol gene expression cascade in the antagonist. The following compounds were tested singly and in various combinations: purified Trichoderma P1 enzymes (endochitinase, exochitinase, chitobiosidase, glucanase); antagonist culture filtrates (T. atroviride P1 wild-type and relative knock-out mutants, T. harzianum, T. reesei); pathogen culture filtrates (Botrytis, Pythium, Rhizoctonia); purified fungal cell walls (CWs) from Trichoderma, Botrytis, Pythium, Rhizoctonia; colloidal crab shell chitin; and plant extracts from cucumber leaves, stems or roots. Strong induction of mycoparasitism was found with the various digestion products produced by treating fungal CWs and colloidal chitin with purified enzymes or fungal culture filtrates. Filtrates from chitinase knock-out mutants, as well as CWs from Oomycetes fungi, were less active in producing the stimulus for mycoparasitism. The host CW digestion products were separated by molecular weight (MW) to determine which compounds were able to activate Trichoderma. Micromolecules of MW less than 3 kDa were found to trigger mycoparasitism gene expression before physical contact with the host pathogen. These compounds stimulated mycelial growth and spore germination of the antagonist. Purification of these host-derived compounds was conducted by HPLC and in vivo assay. The obtained inducers were able to stimulate both the production of endochitinase and exochitinase enzymes, even under repressing conditions in the presence of glucose. Inducers stimulated the biocontrol effect of P1 in the presence of host fungi. The disease symptom development on bean leaves inoculated with Botrytis and Trichoderma spores was clearly reduced by the addition of the inducers, unless these molecules were not specifically inactivated. Finally, purified inducers added to liquid cultures of T. atroviride P1 stimulated the production of low MW antibiotics and metabolites which inhibited Botrytis spore germination. Mass spectrometry analysis (ESI-MS) of the inducers indicated the presence of hexose oligomers, like cellobiose, while MS/MS analysis by selective fragmentation of peaks in the spectrum demonstrated the presence of at least three distinct compounds that were biologically active.展开更多
Rare earth elements (REEs) enriched fertilisers are currently used in China for soil and foliar applications to crops, but little is known about the effect of REEs applications on the growth of beneficial and detrimen...Rare earth elements (REEs) enriched fertilisers are currently used in China for soil and foliar applications to crops, but little is known about the effect of REEs applications on the growth of beneficial and detrimental soilborne microorganisms. The growth of biological control agents Trichoderma atroviride strain P1, Trichoderma harzianum strain A6 and strain T22, plant pathogens Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was investigated in the presence of REEs. An in vitro assays was used to monitor the effect of different concentration levels of either a mix of REEs (La, Ce, Pr, Nd) nitrates or lanthanum alone in comparison to treatments conducted with potassium nitrate and water. Although all fungi were affected when the REEs mix or lanthanum were present at concentrations higher than 100 mM, the growth inhibition depended mainly upon the combination of compounds, the dose and the fungal species or strains tested. Trichoderma strains and B. cinerea were more sensitive than A. alternata, F. solani, R. solani or at higher concentrations. Differing growth responses of some fungi to treatments with REEs mix vs. lanthanum alone indicated that in given situations the effect of the REEs compounds may be caused by elements other than lanthanum or by element mixtures. Further investigations are in progress to determine the effect of REEs on important interactions in the soil community between beneficial fungi, pathogenic fungi and/or the plant. REEs are naturally present in the environment and in biological systems but accumulation in soil can take place following successive applications. Therefore, it would be useful to achieve a better understanding of the effect of REEs accumulation on the activity of rhizosphere microorganisms given the widespread use in some regions of rare earths as fertilizers and their presence as fertilizer contaminants.展开更多
文摘Coriolopsis glabro-rigens was firstly reported from Hainan Province.It was a new record to the Chinese fungal flora,it grew on angiosperm wood and caused a white rot.Illustrated description of the new record was given in detail based on the materials from China.
文摘A lignicolous fungus,Hydnochaete tabacina(Berk.& M.A.Curtis) Ryvarden,was newly recorded from China,it was found on Quercus variabilis in Beijing.An illustrated description of this species was given based on the materials related.
文摘The choice of active Trichoderma strains is important in designing effective and safe biocontrol applications. Many species of Trichoderma have multiple strategies for fungal antagonism and indirect effects on plant health, such as growth promotion, systemic resistance induction and fertility improvements. Some strains are powerful antibiotic producers, and their suitability for use in biocontrol systems must be carefully assessed. However, many other active strains have no antibiotic capacity, and these are likely to be more useful in food production systems since they have not adverse effects on important groups of beneficial soil organisms. We have assessed the performance of selected naturally occurring Trichoderma strains (singly and in combination) and developed TUSAL, a mixture of Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride that has demonstrated to be effective against major pathogens in sugar beet and horticulture. TUSAL, has been bulked up and tested under field conditions, showing positive effects on precocity and root development, and increasing the crop production in field trials carried out in different pathosystems. The environmental impact of TUSAL strains on beneficial organisms in the environment were assessed before release, and molecular detection methods were developed to monitor the presence and performance of strains in the field. In addition, Trichoderma protein extracts with high glucanase and chitinase activities, have also been obtained from wild type strains and their effectiveness as biofungicides was tested in laboratory and field conditions, defining the concentration of protein necessary to produce fungicide effects. The genes coding for protein production were introduced into suitable organisms for large-scale production in the laboratory, never released to the environment. The effect of these novel biofungicide proteins was studied separately and synergistically with Trichoderma conidia, and with minimal doses of chemical fungicides. Suitable active Trichoderma strains are being registered in the EU by the company NBT. Both Trichoderma strains and proteins are included in formulations patented as biocontrol agents.
文摘Trichoderma is a fungal genus of great and demonstrable biotechnological value, but its genome is poorly surveyed compared with other model microorganisms. Due to their ubiquity and rapid substrate colonization, Trichoderma species have been widely used as biocontrol organisms for agriculture, and their enzyme systems are widely used in industry. Therefore, there is a clear interest to explore beyond the phenotype to exploit the underlying genetic systems using functional genomics tools. The great diversity of species within the Trichoderma genus, the absence of optimized systems for its exploration, and the great variety of genes expressed under a wide range of ambient conditions are the main challenges to consider when starting a comprehensive functional genomics study. An initial project started by three Spanish groups has been extended into the project TRICHOEST, funded by the EU (FP5, QLRT-2001-02032) to target the transcriptome analysis of selected Trichoderma strains with biocontrol potential, in conditions related to antagonism, nutrient stress and plant interactions. Once specific conditions were defined, cDNA libraries were produced and used for EST sequencing. Nine strains from seven Trichoderma species have been considered in this study and an important amount of gene sequence data has been generated, analyzed and used to compare the gene expression in different strains. In parallel to sequencing, genomic expression studies were carried out by means of macro-arrays to identify genes expressed in specific conditions. In silico analysis of DNA sequencing data together with macro-array expression results have lead to a selection based on the potential use of the gene sequences. The selected clone sequences were completed and cloned in appropriate vectors to initiate functional analysis by means of expression studies in homologous and heterologous systems.
文摘The molecular basis of Trichoderma -plant interaction is very complex and still not completely understood. The colonization of the root system by rhizosphere competent strains of Trichoderma results in increased development of root/aerial systems, in improved yields and in plant disease control. Other beneficial effects, such as the induction of plant systemic resistance, have also been described. To understand the mechanisms involved we are using different approaches, including the making of transformants expressing genes that encode for compounds able to affect plant response to pathogens. Trichoderma transformants carrying the avirulence gene Avr4 from Cladosporium fulvum under the control of constitutive and inducible promoters were obtained and tested on tomato plants having the Cf4 resistance gene. Necrosis and suberification zones, similar to the symptoms appearing during Cladosporium-tomato interaction, were found when the roots of the Cf4 plants were treated with Avr4-Trichoderma. This demonstrates that selected Trichoderma strains are able to transfer to the plant molecules that may deeply affect metabolism, disease resistance etc. Therefore, these beneficial fungi can be regarded as biotechnological tools to provide a variety of crops with useful compounds. Moreover, in in vitro competition assays the transformants were found to be more effective as antagonists against Alternaria alternata than the wild type. Trichoderma sends a variety of biochemical signals to the plants including avirulence molecules; therefore the presence of avr-like proteins in the fungus proteome was investigated. Proteome analysis has permitted us to isolate and sequence many proteins potentially having this function. From the extracellular protein extracts, we have purified and sequenced a protein with structural characteristics similar to Avr4 of C. fulvum. The protein, Hytra1, was found to be a hydrophobin with chitin binding activity, the typical 8 cysteine residues, and 4 disulfide bridges. Infiltrations of the extracellular protein fractions containing Hytra1 resulted in a strong HR reaction on tobacco and tomato leaves, and induction of a novel phytoalexin.
文摘Different from ribosomal genes, which contain highly conserved sequences that are detected in all organisms, the intergenic spacer of rDNA (IGS) appears to be the most rapidly-evolving spacer region. For this reason we tested this region for phylogenetic studies. This report focuses on the study of IGS sequences of isolates belonging to Trichoderma section (T. viride, T. koningii, T. hamatum, T. erinaceus, T. asperellum) and Pachybasium section (T. harzianum, T. crassum, T. fasciculatum, T. oblongisporum, T. virens). Using the primer pair 28STD and CNS1, the Fast Start Taq DNA Polymerase (Roche), and a three temperature PCR protocol, products ranging from ca 1900 to 2400 bp were obtained from all tested isolates. The PCR product of 16 Trichoderma spp. isolates was cloned into a pGEM-TEeasy Vector (Promega) and sequenced. Based on a BLAST search we can conclude that the PCR product represents the whole IGS region. Multiple alignments of IGS sequences revealed two portions with different homology level. Portion A (ca 1660 bp) is the portion that contains 3’ end of 28S gene and is the more variable, while portion B (ca 830 bp), that contains the 3’ end of IGS region and the 5’ end of 18S gene, is the less variable. Comparing all sequences in region A 705 identical pairs occur out of 1704 total nucleotides (41.4%), while in region B identical pairs were 723 out of 832 total nucleotides (86.9%) . Sequence comparison of the two regions at intraspecific level (where it was possible) showed higher variability in region A (0.17%-6.8%) than in region B (0.0%-1.0%) . At interspecific level, performing all possible comparisons, the variability of region A (19.5%-52.7%) and B (0.8%- 16.9%). were significantly higher. Comparing sequences of species belonging to Trichoderma section variability of the two regions appears reduced if compared with that obtained from comparisons of species belonging to Pachybasium section. On the basis of sequence alignment, phylogenetic trees were obtained either with entire IGS, with region A, and with region B. Results of this analysis revealed that all isolates belonging to Trichoderma section grouped separately from isolates belonging to Pachybasium section. IGS region allowed us to group species according to their taxonomic position. The topology of the tree did not change substantially, varying in genetic distance only. Performing a GenBank search sequences representing the final portion of the IGS region of other fungal species were found, and we carried out a multiple alignment using also our sequences of Trichoderma spp. and Diaporthe helianthi. The phylogeny inferred from sequence alignment matched the generally accepted morphology-based classification and was identical to other molecular schemes at high taxonomic level. Data analysis was useful in establishing a broad-scale phylogeny of Ascomycota and was also useful in sorting them into statistically-supported clades. The tree showed that Trichoderma occurred in a well-supported terminal subclade of a larger clade that also contained other genera belonging to Hypocreales order. Sequence analysis of the Trichoderma spp. IGS region allowed us to design a specific PCR primer that was successfully used to amplify region A. The new reverse primer LCR2, that recognize all Trichoderma isolates, was identified in region B and confirmed for its specificity on the DNA of fungi belonging to other Ascomycota genera. Results obtained showed that IGS region seems to be an interesting and versatile tool for phylogenetic analysis, for resolving some taxonomic problems and for constructing specific primer useful for different purposes.
文摘Trichoderma atroviride strain P1 has been used extensively to study the mycoparasitic mechanisms in the interaction between plant pathogenic host and beneficial antagonistic fungi. Mutants of P1 containing the green fluorescent protein (gfp) or glucose oxidase (gox) reporter systems and different inducible promoters (from the exochitinase nag1 gene, or the endochitinase ech42 gene of P1) were used to determine the factors that activate the biocontrol gene expression cascade in the antagonist. The following compounds were tested singly and in various combinations: purified Trichoderma P1 enzymes (endochitinase, exochitinase, chitobiosidase, glucanase); antagonist culture filtrates (T. atroviride P1 wild-type and relative knock-out mutants, T. harzianum, T. reesei); pathogen culture filtrates (Botrytis, Pythium, Rhizoctonia); purified fungal cell walls (CWs) from Trichoderma, Botrytis, Pythium, Rhizoctonia; colloidal crab shell chitin; and plant extracts from cucumber leaves, stems or roots. Strong induction of mycoparasitism was found with the various digestion products produced by treating fungal CWs and colloidal chitin with purified enzymes or fungal culture filtrates. Filtrates from chitinase knock-out mutants, as well as CWs from Oomycetes fungi, were less active in producing the stimulus for mycoparasitism. The host CW digestion products were separated by molecular weight (MW) to determine which compounds were able to activate Trichoderma. Micromolecules of MW less than 3 kDa were found to trigger mycoparasitism gene expression before physical contact with the host pathogen. These compounds stimulated mycelial growth and spore germination of the antagonist. Purification of these host-derived compounds was conducted by HPLC and in vivo assay. The obtained inducers were able to stimulate both the production of endochitinase and exochitinase enzymes, even under repressing conditions in the presence of glucose. Inducers stimulated the biocontrol effect of P1 in the presence of host fungi. The disease symptom development on bean leaves inoculated with Botrytis and Trichoderma spores was clearly reduced by the addition of the inducers, unless these molecules were not specifically inactivated. Finally, purified inducers added to liquid cultures of T. atroviride P1 stimulated the production of low MW antibiotics and metabolites which inhibited Botrytis spore germination. Mass spectrometry analysis (ESI-MS) of the inducers indicated the presence of hexose oligomers, like cellobiose, while MS/MS analysis by selective fragmentation of peaks in the spectrum demonstrated the presence of at least three distinct compounds that were biologically active.
文摘Rare earth elements (REEs) enriched fertilisers are currently used in China for soil and foliar applications to crops, but little is known about the effect of REEs applications on the growth of beneficial and detrimental soilborne microorganisms. The growth of biological control agents Trichoderma atroviride strain P1, Trichoderma harzianum strain A6 and strain T22, plant pathogens Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was investigated in the presence of REEs. An in vitro assays was used to monitor the effect of different concentration levels of either a mix of REEs (La, Ce, Pr, Nd) nitrates or lanthanum alone in comparison to treatments conducted with potassium nitrate and water. Although all fungi were affected when the REEs mix or lanthanum were present at concentrations higher than 100 mM, the growth inhibition depended mainly upon the combination of compounds, the dose and the fungal species or strains tested. Trichoderma strains and B. cinerea were more sensitive than A. alternata, F. solani, R. solani or at higher concentrations. Differing growth responses of some fungi to treatments with REEs mix vs. lanthanum alone indicated that in given situations the effect of the REEs compounds may be caused by elements other than lanthanum or by element mixtures. Further investigations are in progress to determine the effect of REEs on important interactions in the soil community between beneficial fungi, pathogenic fungi and/or the plant. REEs are naturally present in the environment and in biological systems but accumulation in soil can take place following successive applications. Therefore, it would be useful to achieve a better understanding of the effect of REEs accumulation on the activity of rhizosphere microorganisms given the widespread use in some regions of rare earths as fertilizers and their presence as fertilizer contaminants.
