Trichoderma konilangbra CBS 100808 was sequenced as a
part of the CSP2018 Project 503464 "Genus-wide genomics of the
biomass-degrading and plant-beneficial Trichoderma."
Fungi from the genus Trichoderma (Hypocreales,
Ascomycota) exhibit remarkable ecophysiological and nutritional
versatility, forming biotrophic interactions not only with a
diversity of fungi, but also with animals and plants. Moreover,
most species are saprotrophs and can efficiently degrade
lignocellulose and establish in soil. These properties illustrate
how broadly impactful Trichoderma are on humankind. T.
reesei is well established as an industrial producer of
cellulolytic enzymes for the biofuel and biorefinery industries.
Many species are used as bioeffectors in biofungicides and
biofertilizers in agriculture. Interestingly, the same species are
often causal agents of green mold disease on mushroom farms.
Furthermore, several Trichoderma can cause mycoses in
immunocompromised humans.
This project aims to further understanding of biological,
evolutionary, and biochemical mechanisms underlying the vast
environmental opportunism of some Trichoderma species, and
to explain the narrow ecophysiological specialization of the
others. The genus-wide genomic project is essential to facilitate
the introduction of new Trichoderma species into
industrial processes, as well as enable the development of
environmentally safe and efficient agricultural applications based
on these fungi and their products.
