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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #422135
Research Project: Development of Applied Management Systems for Diseases of Perennial Crops with Emphasis on Vector-Borne Pathogens of Grapevine and Citrus

Location: Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research

Title: Evaluating the ability of Californian grapevine-isolated Trichoderma saturnisporopsis strain RSI and Trichoderma asperellum strain TLI to reduce fungal trunk diseases

Author
item Antrim, Eric
item ELLIS, MARGARET - Fresno State University
item Wallis, Christopher

Submitted to: PhytoFrontiers
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2025
Publication Date: 9/15/2025
Citation: Antrim, E.S., Ellis, M., Wallis, C.M. 2025. Evaluating the ability of Californian grapevine-isolated Trichoderma saturnisporopsis strain RSI and Trichoderma asperellum strain TLI to reduce fungal trunk diseases. PhytoFrontiers. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-04-25-0034-SC.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-04-25-0034-SC

Interpretive Summary: Grapevine fungal trunk diseases cause significant reductions in vineyard productivity over time necessitating entire replacement in as early as ten years. Biological control agents, such as those that utilize Trichoderma spp. strains, can be deployed to reduce disease incidence and severity, especially when applied as pruning wound protectants. However, most available biological control Trichoderma strains are not isolated from grapevines nor could survive in the hot, dry climate of central California where grape is a major commodity. Therefore, this study isolated two unique Californian Trichoderma strains and tested their ability to reduce fungal pathogens and resultant diseases. These strains reduced lesion necrosis up to 50%, suggesting great potential to be used as novel biological control agents to prevent grapevine fungal diseases.

Technical Abstract: Grapevine Trunk Disease (GTD) reduces grape production globally. One possible management option is to deploy biocontrol agents such as those based on Trichoderma sp. strains. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify and evaluate two strains of Trichoderma cultured from grapevines grown in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California, and screen these for biological control agent potential to combat common fugal pathogens associated with GTD. The ability of the two strains of Trichoderma to reduce growth of four GTD pathogens, Diplodia seriata, Neofusicoccum parvum, Eutypa lata, and Phaeoacremonium minimum, was examined in co-plating assays. Subsequently, Cabernet Sauvignon vines previously non-treated or inoculated with one of Trichoderma strains were later inoculated with Diplodia seriata, Neofusicoccum parvum, or Eutypa lata with developing lesions measured to assess relative susceptibility. The co-plating assays observed that both Trichoderma strains significantly inhibited pathogen growth. Prior vine inoculations with both Trichoderma strains also was observed to reduce lesion development. Although these results are preliminary, both Trichoderma strains demonstrated potential as biological control agents to reduce disease severity of GTD. Further research is needed to observe how these isolates interact with these pathogens in other varietals of wine, table, and raisin grapes, which will potentially facilitate their use to mitigate GTD in vineyards throughout California.