Ultrastructural Studies of the Interaction Between Trichoderma spp. and Plant Pathogenic Fungi

The uhrastructural changes during parasitism of the biocontrol agents Trichoderma harzianum and T. hamatum, were observed under a transmission electron microscope. Electron micrographs show that during the interaction of Trichoderma spp. with either Sclerotium rolfsii or Rhizoctonia solani the hyphae of the parasites contact their host, and then enzymatically digest their cell walls. Extracellular fibrillar material is deposited between the interacting cells. Parasite organelles, e.g. mitochondria, vesicles and dark osmiophilic inclusions, accumulate in the parasitizing cells. In response to the invasion, the host produces a sheath matrix which encapasulates the penetrating hypha and the host cells become empty of cytoplasm.