What is the Difference Between Trichoderma Harzianum and Trichoderma Viride

Trichoderma species are free-living fungi that are common in soil and root ecosystems. Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma virideare are two species belonging to the Trichoderma genus. Both these species have an effect on suppressing nematode reproduction and root diseases. However, they are not exactly the same.

The key difference between Trichoderma Harzianum and Trichoderma Viride is their classification. Trichoderma harzianum is a mycoparasitic fungus in Trichoderma species that is mainly used to control and prevent disease caused by plant pathogens, while Trichoderma viride is an opportunistic and symbiotic fungus in Trichoderma species mainly used for crop degradation.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Trichoderma Harzianum  
3. What is Trichoderma Viride
4. Similarities – Trichoderma Harzianum and Trichoderma Viride
5. Trichoderma Harzianum vs Trichoderma Viride in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Trichoderma Harzianum vs Trichoderma Viride
7. FAQ – Trichoderma Harzianum and Trichoderma Viride

What is Trichoderma Harzianum?

Trichoderma harzianum is a fungus, and it is a Trichoderma species. It is used for foliar application, seed treatment, and soil treatment for suppression of fungal pathogens causing plant diseases. Trichoderma harzianum also produces a range of secondary metabolites and enzymes that have antagonistic effects on plant pathogens such as certain fungi and bacteria. It is a mycoparasitic and antagonistic fungus. Moreover, this fungus grows on the plant root system. Therefore, it enhances plant growth and the immune system.

Figure 01: Trichoderma Harzianum

Trichoderma harzianum has a 40.87 Mbp genome. Trichoderma harzianum is the principal component in several commercial biofungicide formulations in the market for the suppression of various diseases caused by pathogens such as Botrytis, Fusarium, and Penicillium sp. Furthermore, it is also used for manufacturing enzymes.

What is Trichoderma Viride?

Trichoderma viride is a Trichoderma species that has a better ability to degrade cellulose lignin. It is a species with the highest cellulase activity and has a good effect on crop degradation. The cellulase produced by this fungus partially degrades the cotton material in places, making it soft.

Figure 02: Trichoderma Viride

Trichoderma viride acts primarily as an opportunistic, non-virulent, symbiotic fungus in most plant species. The genome size of this species is 37 Mbp. Moreover, it is often used for the biological control of bacterial and fungal plant pathogens such as Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and even Armillaria. Hence, it is effective as a seed dressing in the control of seed and soil-borne diseases, including Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Fusarium species.

Similarities Between Trichoderma Harzianum and Trichoderma Viride

1. Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride are two fungal species in Trichoderma genus.
2. Both species are Ascomycota fungi.
3. These species act as biocontrol agents.
4. Both species produce secondary metabolites.
5. Both species are abundantly found in the soil.
6. They are non-virulent to plants.

Difference Between Trichoderma Harzianum and Trichoderma Viride

Definition

1. Trichoderma harzianum is a mycoparasitic and antagonistic fungal species in Trichoderma genus.
2. Trichoderma viride is an opportunistic, non-virulent, symbiotic fungal species in Trichoderma genus.

Habitat

1. Trichoderma harzianum can be identified in soil and plant root systems.
2. Trichoderma viride can be identified in soil, wood rots, and water damaged buildings.

Optimal Growth

1. Trichoderma harzianum grows at 30-350C.
2. Trichoderma viride grows at 250C, not at 350C.

Colour

1. Colonies of Trichoderma harzianum are green to dark brown in colour.
2. Colonies of Trichoderma viride are brown in colour.

Size and Frequency

1. Trichoderma harzianum are larger in size and more frequently identified.
2. Trichoderma virides are smaller in size and less frequently identified.

Genome Size

1. The genome size of Trichoderma harzianum is 40.87 Mbp.
2. The genome size of Trichoderma viride is 37 Mbp.

Uses

1. Trichoderma harzianum is used for biological control of fungi such as Botrytis, Fusarium, and Penicillium sp., bacteria, and for manufacturing enzymes.
2. Trichoderma viride is used for crop degradation and biological control of bacterial and fungal plant pathogens such as Rhizoctonia, Pythium, and even Armillaria.

The following table summarizes the difference between Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride.

Summary – Trichoderma Harzianum vs Trichoderma Viride

There are over 200 Trichoderma species. They are among the most used and studied microorganisms due to the variety of biocontrol traits, such as parasitism, antibiosis, secondary metabolites production, and plant defense system induction.  Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride are two Trichoderma species. Trichoderma harzianum has better disease resistance and is mainly used for controlling and preventing disease caused by pathogenic fungi such as Botrytis, Fusarium  Penicillium sp., and bacteria. On the other hand, Trichoderma viride has a better ability to degrade cellulose lignin; hence, it is mainly used for crop degradation. This summarizes the difference between Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride.

FAQ: Trichoderma Harzianum and Trichoderma Viride

1. What are Trichoderma species potentially useful as?

• Trichoderma comprises several species of filamentous fungi that are common inhabitants of the soil, rhizosphere, and endosphere of plants. Trichoderma species are free-living fungi that are present in root ecosystems and are potentially useful as biopesticides.

2. What are the negative effects of Trichoderma?

• Trichoderma species are beneficial fungi in agriculture. However, some Trichoderma species, especially T. brevicompactum, T.atroviride, and T. harzianum can cause opportunistic infections in humans, including sinusitis, skin and liver infections, pneumonia, and stomatitis.

3. What is Trichoderma harzianum used for?

• Trichoderma harzianum is used as a fungicide. It is used for foliar application, seed treatment, and soil treatment to suppress fungal pathogens causing various fungal plant diseases. It is also used to suppress bacteria and to enhance plant growth and the immune system.

4. Is Trichoderma viride harmful to humans?

• Trichoderma viride is often found in damp and mouldy buildings. The people who live in these buildings may get adverse health effects, including mucosal/respiratory symptoms due to the inhalation of fungal spores that reach the alveoli and interact with the airway epithelium.

5. What is Trichoderma viride used for?

• Trichoderma viride fights off pathogens and common components of the biocontrol formulations in agriculture. It also contributes to soil vitality and plant growth. Furthermore, this fungus improves nutrient availability and uptake by breaking down organic matter and releasing essential nutrients for plant absorption.

Reference:

1. “Trichoderma Viride – An Overview.” ScienceDirect.
2. “Trichoderma Harzianum T-22: Prevent and Control Soil Borne Diseases.” Koppert.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Trichoderma sp young conidiophore” (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Trichoderma viride 101528594” By Eileen Laidlaw – Inaturalist (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia

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