A- Trichoderma harzianum (strain TR274) grown on MEX medium for 7 days, 28 degrees Celsius. B- Scanning electron micrograph of the interaction between T. harzianum (T) and S. sclerotiorum (S).

The asexual (or anamorphic) T. harzianum is the most common Trichoderma species as it is the most frequent Trichoderma spp. in the majority of samples worldwide. It has often even been synonymized with Trichoderma biocontrol agents in general, as it is the principal component in several commercial bio-fungicide formulations. This biocontrol ability is commonly associated with other Trichoderma activities, for example, the ability to produce a great variety of antifungal metabolites like secondary metabolites and hydrolytic enzymes.
In addition to their mycoparasitic activity, Trichoderma species are rhizosphere-competent, being able to colonize and grow in association with plant shoots and roots as previously described for cucumber, cotton, maize, tomato, pepper, lettuce, bean, and other plants. This association changes the plant development (growth and metabolism) and also induces defense responses and resistance to subsequent fungal attack. This Trichoderma strain was isolated from Brazilian Cerrado soil and exhibited efficient biological control against the fungi Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and other pathogens that impact dry bean crop production in Brazil. This genome will provide a suitable platform for biotechnological applications.