Abstract

ROMERO-ARENAS, Omar et al. The characteristics of Trichoderma harzianum as a limiting agent in edible mushrooms. Rev. colomb. biotecnol [online]. 2009, vol.11, n.2, pp.143-151. ISSN 0123-3475.

The dramatic increase of green mould incidence and severity in edible mushroom production has been reflected in the emergence of highly aggressive forms of these pathogens, such as Trichoderma harzianum biotypes (Th1, Th2, Th3 and Th4). These have been found in Europe and North America where the importance of the mould’s pathogenicity was discovered in 1995 leading to 30%-100% losses from Th4 in edible mushrooms from farms in Chester, Pennsylvania. Several contaminating moulds have been identified in Mexico, Trichoderma spp. frequently occurring in edible mushroom production (Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinula edodes). A research group detected the presence of highly aggressive strains of T. aggressivum f. aggressivum in 2004, identified by classical and molecular techniques on contaminated substrate (compost) samples provided by the main edible mushroom-growing farm in Mexico. The current situation regarding Trichoderma harzianum distribution and contamination problems in edible mushroom production in both rural and industrial areas in Mexico remains unknown. This can lead to a serious decrease in edible mushroom production lead to financial loss for the region’s producers.

Keywords : T. harzianum; T. aggressivum; pathogenicity; edible mushroom production.

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