Scanning electron microscopy of mycoparasitism of Armillaria rhizomorphs by species of Trichoderma

Abstract

Abstract Scanning electron microscopy showed that Trichoderma polysporum, T. harzianum and T. viride were mycoparasites on the rhizomorphs of Armillaria gallica . These Trichoderma species attacked and penetrated the melanized outer tissue of the rhizomorph and once inside they killed the Armillaria hyphae by coiling and direct penetration. After one week the rhizomorphs infected with each of the three species of Trichoderma were devoid of hyphae.