Genus-wide analysis of Trichoderma antagonism toward Pythium and Globisporangium plant pathogens and the contribution of cellulases to the antagonism.

is an important genus widely distributed in nature with broad ecological impacts and applications in the biocontrol of plant diseases. The and genera of fungus-like water molds include many important soil-borne plant pathogens that cause various diseases. Most of the species showed at least a moderate ability to compete with or antagonize the and hosts, and microscopy showed examples of parasitism (a slow type of killing) and predation (a fast type of killing). Hydrolytic enzymes such as cellulases and proteases produced by likely contribute to the antagonism. A mutant deficient in cellulase activity had reduced antagonism. Interestingly, and species contain cellulose in their cell walls (unlike true fungi such as ), and the cellulolytic ability of appears beneficial for antagonism of water molds.