Taugt17b1 Overexpression in Trichoderma atroviride Enhances Its Ability to Colonize Roots and Induce Systemic Defense of Plants

Trichoderma atroviride, a soil fungus, has important applications in the biocontrol of plant diseases. Glycosyltransferases enhance the root colonization ability of Trichoderma spp. This study aimed to functionally characterize glycosyltransferase Taugt17b1 in T. atroviride. We investigated the effect of Taugt17b1 overexpression in T. atroviride H18-1-1 on its biocontrol properties, especially its ability to colonize roots. Our results demonstrated that the overexpression of the Taugt17b1 increases the T. atroviride colony growth rate, improves its root colonization ability, promotes the growth and activity of the defensive enzymatic system of plants, and prevents plant diseases. This study put forth a new role of T. atroviride glycosyltransferase and furthered the understanding of the mechanisms by which fungal biocontrol agents exert their effect.