Transcriptome reprogramming, epigenetic modifications and alternative splicing orchestrate the tomato root response to the beneficial fungus Trichoderma harzianum

Abstract

Symbiosis: the genetics of beneficial tomato root–fungus interaction The fungus Trichoderma harzianum induces differentiated protein production in tomato roots that benefits plant nutrition and survivability. Microorganisms advantageous to plants have long been exploited in agriculture; however, with limited studies into the interface of Trichoderma fungus and plants—the roots. Italian researchers, led by the Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops' Nunzio D'Agostino and the National Research Council’s Marina Tucci, inoculated tomato plant roots with T. harzianum over 72 h, finding over 1200 examples of differential gene expression and post-expression modification that resulted in improved plant growth and immune system regulation. The interaction also induces a root change that likely promotes further interaction with the fungus and increased stress tolerance via promoting antioxidation and defensive activity. The team’s work provides early evidence of the molecular mechanisms behind root–fungus symbiosis and may help to inform crop breeding and fertilisation strategies.