Advancing strain-specific TaqMan assays for Trichoderma asperellum detection in commercial agricultural settings

IF 3.7 2区农林科学 Q2 BIOTECHNOLOGY & APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY

Biological Control Pub Date : 2025-02-05 DOI:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105723

Manfredini Andrea , Pugliese Massimo , Valfrè Paolo , Canfora Loredana

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The global agricultural sector is facing significant challenges in achieving higher sustainability, which has increased interest in using biological control agents (BCAs) to manage plant diseases. However, it is essential to ensure that microbial-based products, such as BCAs, are utilised in a manner that does not harm soil quality and fertility while decreasing reliance on synthetic pesticides. To accomplish this, it is crucial to monitor the fate and persistence of bioinoculants in the soil, which is essential for optimising their application over time, as well as for regulatory and commercial purposes and environmental risk assessment. A qPCR detection method utilising TaqMan chemistry is proposed, which has demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity in detecting Trichoderma asperellum, a common BCA species, in soil. The primers and probe were designed based on the βtubulin2 gene. The TaqMan-based assay was applied and validated on soils where tomatoes and strawberries were grown after a previous application of T. asperellum FC80 strain over three years. The TaqMan-based assay was able to detect the target strain accurately, meeting the stringent requirements for commercial and regulatory applications.

Significance and impact of the study

The TaqMan assay developed here has the potential to impact the agricultural sector significantly. It can be used for regulatory, commercial, and scientific purposes to track, monitor, and determine the presence and fate of T. asperellum under field crop conditions, thereby contributing to adopting more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.

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来源期刊

Biological Control 生物-昆虫学

CiteScore

7.40

自引率

7.10%

发文量

220

审稿时长

63 days

期刊介绍： Biological control is an environmentally sound and effective means of reducing or mitigating pests and pest effects through the use of natural enemies. The aim of Biological Control is to promote this science and technology through publication of original research articles and reviews of research and theory. The journal devotes a section to reports on biotechnologies dealing with the elucidation and use of genes or gene products for the enhancement of biological control agents. The journal encompasses biological control of viral, microbial, nematode, insect, mite, weed, and vertebrate pests in agriculture, aquatic, forest, natural resource, stored product, and urban environments. Biological control of arthropod pests of human and domestic animals is also included. Ecological, molecular, and biotechnological approaches to the understanding of biological control are welcome.