<i>Trichoderma</i> Strains and Metabolites Selectively Increase the Production of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Olive Trees

• Main Authors: Irene Dini, Roberta Marra, Pierpaolo Cavallo, Angela Pironti, Immacolata Sepe, Jacopo Troisi, Giovanni Scala, Pasquale Lombari, Francesco Vinale
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: Metabolites
• Subjects: <i>Olea europaea</i>; biocontrol agents; <i>Trichoderma</i>; secondary metabolites; harzianic acid; 6-pentyl-α-pyrone
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/11/4/213

Plants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that induce metabolomic, transcriptomic, and behavioral reactions in receiver organisms, including insect pollinators and herbivores. VOCs’ composition and concentration may influence plant-insect or plant-plant interactions and affect soil microbes that may interfere in plant-plant communication. Many <i>Trichoderma</i> fungi act as biocontrol agents of phytopathogens and plant growth promoters. Moreover, they can stimulate plant defense mechanisms against insect pests. This study evaluated VOCs’ emission by olive trees (<i>Olea europaea</i> L.) when selected <i>Trichoderma</i> fungi or metabolites were used as soil treatments. <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i> strains M10, T22, and TH1, <i>T. asperellum</i> strain KV906, <i>T. virens</i> strain GV41, and their secondary metabolites harzianic acid (HA), and 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6PP) were applied to olive trees. Charcoal cartridges were employed to adsorb olive VOCs, and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis allowed their identification and quantification. A total of 45 volatile compounds were detected, and among these, twenty-five represented environmental pollutants and nineteen compounds were related to olive plant emission. <i>Trichoderma</i> strains and metabolites differentially enhanced VOCs production, affecting three biosynthetic pathways: methylerythritol 1-phosphate (MEP), lipid-signaling, and shikimate pathways. Multivariate analysis models showed a characteristic fingerprint of each plant-fungus/metabolite relationship, reflecting a different emission of VOCs by the treated plants. Specifically, strain M10 and the metabolites 6PP and HA enhanced the monoterpene syntheses by controlling the MEP pathway. Strains GV41, KV906, and the metabolite HA stimulated the hydrocarbon aldehyde formation (nonanal) by regulating the lipid-signaling pathway. Finally, <i>Trichoderma</i> strains GV41, M10, T22, TH1, and the metabolites HA and 6PP improve aromatic syntheses at different steps of the shikimate pathway.