Improvement of antagonism and carbendazim tolerance in native Trichoderma isolates through ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis.

Genetic enhancement of TCT4and TCT10was aimed in the present paper.Trichoderma reesei(TCT10/M18) mutant isolate evolved by ethyl methane sulfonate mutations was found to exhibit altered properties compared to its parent isolates. This mutant grew well in the potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium containing carbendazim (50 ppm). RAPD-PCR results suggested the uniqueness of mutants, which was useful in differentiating mutant and wildTrichodermaisolates. These mutants established well in the rhizosphere of rough lemon seedlings. The seedlings treated with carbendazim followed by an application of carbendazim-resistant mutant (TCT10/M18) resulted in a better seedling emergence and a less dry root rot disease caused byFusarium solaniin nursery conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]