Fungal Genomics

Organism description

Trichoderma aggressivum is an ascomycete mycoparasite of mushroom-forming fungi. It grows rapidly and is believed to have adapted specifically to mushroom-growing environments, where it can colonize the substrate. It can cause considerable crop losses in commercial Agaricus bisporus cultures. It encompasses two biotypes, namely T. aggressivum f. aggressivum and T. aggressivum f. europaeum, originating from North America and Europe, respectively. T. aggressivum has recently started to gain interest as a bio-control agent an as plant growth enhancer, a role that already has been established for the closely related species Trichoderma harzianum.

Figure. Trichoderma aggressivum (upper right corner) during interaction with the mushroom-forming fungus Schizophyllum commune (lower left corner)