Tolerance to oxidative stress caused by copper (Cu) in Trichoderma asperellum To

• Published in: Biocatalysis and agricultural biotechnology 2020-10, Vol.29, p.101783, Article 101783
• Main Authors: Ernesto Juniors, Pérez-Torres, Valeria, Camacho-Luna, Santiago, Pérez-Ocampo, Mario, Rodríguez-Monroy, Gabriela, Sepúlveda-Jiménez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalase; Heavy metals; Lipid peroxidation; Onion; Oxidative stress; Peroxidase
• ISSN: 1878-8181; 1878-8181
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2020.101783

The fungus Trichoderma asperellum isolate To is a potential agent for biological control of phytopathogens on onion (Allium cepa L.) crops and could be combined with Cu-based fungicides for use in integrated management strategies for onion diseases. However, Cu-based fungicides cause oxidative stress in fungi; antioxidant responses to oxidative stress caused by Cu have scarcely been documented in Trichoderma spp. The aim of this study was to evaluate tolerance to Cu and antioxidant responses to oxidative stress caused by Cu in T. asperellum isolate To, and in isolates Tt and Tm obtained from Solanum lycopersicum L. (tomato) and Mangifera indica L. (mango) crops, respectively. The T. asperellum isolates were exposed to different concentrations of two Cu sources in semi-solid culture medium (the fungicide Sure Gold® and CuSO4 × 5H2O [reagent grade]), or to 100 mg L−1of the two Cu sources in liquid culture medium. Isolate Tm had the highest tolerance index followed by isolates Tt and To. However, isolate To exhibited the highest accumulation of Cu in the mycelium and the least disruption of conidia production and lipid peroxidation levels, the latter related to an increase in catalase and peroxidase activity. These results indicate that catalases and peroxidases are involved in the tolerance of T. asperellum isolate To Cu and that this isolate could be used in combination with Cu-based fungicides for integrated management of onion diseases. •Cu causes oxidative stress in Trichoderma asperellum.•Tolerance to Cu in three T. asperellum isolates was in the order: Tm > Tt > To.•Conidia production in isolate To was less affected by Cu than other isolates.•Catalases and peroxidases are involved in Cu tolerance in T. asperellum.•Isolate To has potential for use in integrated diseases management in onion.