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Abstract
Biofortification of crops via agricultural interventions represents an excellent way to supply micronutrients in poor rural populations, who highly suffer from these deficiencies. Soil microbes can directly influence plant growth and productivity, e.g., by contrasting plant pathogens or facilitating micronutrient assimilation in harvested crop-food products. Among these microbial communities, Trichoderma fungi are well-known examples of plant symbionts widely used in agriculture as biofertilizers or biocontrol agents. In this work, eleven Trichoderma strains and/or their bioactive metabolites (BAMs) were applied to lentil plants to evaluate their effects on plant growth and mineral content in greenhouse or field experiments. Our results indicated that, depending upon the different combinations of fungal strain and/or BAM, the mode of treatment (seed and/or watering), as well as the supplementary watering with solutions of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), the mineral absorption was differentially affected in treated plants compared with the water controls. In greenhouse conditions, the largest increase in Fe and Zn contents occurred when the compounds were applied to the seeds and the strains (in particular, T. afroharzianum T22, T. harzianum TH1, and T. virens GV41) to the soil. In field experiments, Fe and Zn contents increased in plants treated with T. asperellum strain KV906 or the hydrophobin HYTLO1 compared with controls. Both selected fungal strains and BAMs applications improved seed germination and crop yield. This biotechnology may represent an important challenge for natural biofortification of crops, thus reducing the risk of nutrient deficiencies.
Highlights
The FAO estimates that by 2050 the world population will reach 9.1 billion people and food production should increase by 70% [1]
Our results indicated that the application of Trichoderma strains or metabolites to lentil plants affected the assimilation of minerals in the plant
Preliminary experiments showed that the biocontrol agent T. afroharzianum strain T22 applied as a seed-coating produced an increase in iron and zinc contents of lentil plants watered with a FeZn solution
Summary
The FAO estimates that by 2050 the world population will reach 9.1 billion people and food production should increase by 70% [1]. The availability of agricultural land is reducing more and more, and many of the natural resources currently used by humans show signs of degradation or pollution. The spread of micronutrient malnutrition (MNM), a chronic shortage of minerals and vitamins, has serious socio-economic consequences, both individually and collectively [3,4]. This “hidden hunger” is known to induce diseases and disorders in both developed and Microorganisms 2022, 10, 87. Microorganisms 2022, 10, 87 developing nations and is currently considered as one of the most serious challenges that faces humanity [3,5]. Interventions to reduce micronutrient deficiencies were listed in the Copenhagen consensus as the number one priority, in agreement with the Sustainable
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