Trichoderma species are well-known biological control agents. In this study, metabolites from 128
Trichoderma isolates were extracted from liquid cultures using ethyl acetate and tested for their activities
against seven Phytophthora isolates. Following preliminary analysis, eight Trichoderma isolates were
selected for further tests. Among them, the metabolites from Trichoderma atroviride/petersenii (KACC,
Korea Agricultural Culture Collection, 40557) and Trichoderma virens (KACC 40929) showed the strongest
inhibitory activities against Phytophthora isolates. Treatment with KACC 40557 extract inhibited
Phytophthora growth, induced defense-related genes, and caused plant hormonal changes during
Phytophthora infection in the detached leaves of pepper and tomato plants. Our results showed the potential
for use of Trichoderma metabolites as biological control agents against Phytophthora pathogens.
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