Effect of <i>Trichoderma</i> Bioactive Metabolite Treatments on the Production, Quality, and Protein Profile of Strawberry Fruits

Abstract

Fungi of the genus <i>Trichoderma</i> produce secondary metabolites having several biological activities that affect plant metabolism. We examined the effect of three <i>Trichoderma</i> bioactive metabolites (BAMs), namely, 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6PP), harzianic acid (HA), and hydrophobin 1 (HYTLO1), on yield, fruit quality, and protein representation of strawberry plants. In particular, 6PP and HA increased the plant yield and number of fruits, when compared to control, while HYTLO1 promoted the growth of the roots and increased the total soluble solids content up to 19% and the accumulation of ascorbic acid and cyanidin 3-<i>O</i>-glucoside in red ripened fruits. Proteomic analysis showed that BAMs influenced the representation of proteins associated with the protein metabolism, response to stress/external stimuli, vesicle trafficking, carbon/energy, and secondary metabolism. Results suggest that the application of <i>Trichoderma</i> BAMs affects strawberry plant productivity and fruit quality and integrate previous observations on deregulated molecular processes in roots and leaves of <i>Trichoderma</i>-treated plants with original data on fruits.