BIODIVERSIDAD DE Trichoderma SPP. EN MÉXICO Y SU POTENCIAL DE UTILIZACIÓN EN LA AGRICULTURA

Abstract

<p><strong>Background.</strong> <em>Trichoderma</em> is a cosmopolitan genus of fungi with beneficial species that help both to improve the plant rhizosphere and combat pathogens in economically important crops. Due to its importance in the agricultural biotechnological field, the morphological and molecular identification of <em>Trichoderma</em> species is of interest; however, currently the information on identification, biocontrol and its applications in agriculture is scattered. <strong>Objective.</strong> The objective of this review was to carry out an exhaustive analysis on the identification of <em>Trichoderma</em>, as well as an analysis of biocontrol studies and applications of <em>Trichoderma</em> in agriculture in Mexico. <strong>Methodology.</strong> A bibliographic review of <em>Trichoderma</em> was carried out in the following databases: Scopus, Science Direct, NCBI, Google Scholar, Pubmed and USDA. The keywords used were <em>Trichoderma</em>, identification, morphology, molecular, antagonism, biocontrol, agricultural use, agricultural importance, and Mexico. The collection of information on <em>Trichoderma</em> species in Mexico was considered during the period from 2005 to 2022. <strong>Results.</strong> In Mexico, 42 species reported to date of <em>Trichoderma</em> based on morphological characteristics were found, the main identified species are <em>T. harzianum, T. asperellum </em>and<em> T. viride</em>; according to the ITS barcoding marker and <em>tef</em>1α gene region, 17 species reported to date have been identified at the molecular level. The main species reported are <em>T. asperellum</em> and <em>T. harzianum</em>. Additionally, the most reported species as antagonists are <em>T. asperellum</em> and <em>T. harzianum</em>, the latter being the one that is mostly marketed in biological products. <strong>Implications.</strong> Currently the species <em>T. asperellum</em> and <em>T. harzianum</em> stand out in identification, biocontrol, and application in agriculture. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> Morphological identification alone is difficult; recently in Mexico, the identification of <em>Trichoderma</em> species is carried out at an exhaustive level, complementing the morphological identification with molecular identification. At present, reports on the diversity of <em>Trichoderma</em> species have increased in identification, biocontrol, and applications in the agricultural area.</p>