First Report of the Antagonistic Fungus Trichoderma simmonsii in Cedarwood in Morocco

Abstract

Trichoderma species are known for their power to control the pathogenic fungi. They can be isolated from soil, plant roots, rotting wood, and other organic substances and are widely distributed in nature. Trichoderma is the most widely utilized fungal biological control agent against crop plant pathogens, including soilborne and foliar infections. Our study is interested in isolating fungi from the wood parts of cedar trunks and identifying its mycoflora. A sample was isolated from the cedar grove of Boutrouba forest located in Ifrane National Park in Morocco. The culture and purification of the isolated fungus were done on a water agar medium and then on a Malt Agar medium. After the purification of the fungus, a molecular characterization allowed us to identify the antagonistic agent Trichoderma simmonsii with a coverage percentage of 97,58% and an identity of 99%. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. simmonsii in Morocco.