Trichoderma Biocontrol for Grapevine Downy Mildew Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chemical fungicides used to control downy mildew in grapevines pose environmental and health risks, and existing biological control agents like Trichoderma species are ineffective in combating Plasmopara viticola, a major agronomic problem causing significant crop losses.

Innovation Solution

Utilization of an isolated strain of Trichoderma atroviride (TAL-17) and its mutants, deposited at CNCM I-5333, as a biocontrol agent to inhibit the growth of Plasmopara viticola through competitive, antibiotic, and enzyme production mechanisms, and induce systemic resistance in plants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical fungicides are used to control fungal diseases, then disease control effectiveness is improved, but environmental pollution and residue accumulation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental pollution and residue accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the harmful pathogenic fungi themselves as biological control agents. By culturing fungi that can parasitize or compete with pathogenic fungi (such as Trichoderma species), the invention converts the problem of fungal diseases into a solution, where beneficial fungi suppress harmful fungi through natural biological mechanisms like parasitism, competition for resources, and production of antimicrobial substances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces beneficial microorganisms (Trichoderma and other fungi) as intermediary agents between the plant and pathogenic fungi. These intermediary organisms act as biocontrol agents that directly interact with and suppress the pathogenic fungi, providing an alternative to direct chemical intervention while maintaining disease control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If biocontrol agents are used to control fungal diseases, then environmental pollution is reduced, but control effectiveness and stability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental pollutionVSAvoiddisease control effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite biocontrol formulations containing multiple beneficial fungal species (such as Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, T. koningii, and other fungi) working synergistically. This composite approach enhances control effectiveness and stability by utilizing diverse mechanisms of action including parasitism, competition, antibiosis, and induction of plant resistance, thereby overcoming the limitations of single-strain biocontrol agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes various parameters of the biocontrol agents including spore concentration, formulation composition, application timing, and environmental conditions to enhance effectiveness. By adjusting these parameters and selecting appropriate fungal strains adapted to specific disease conditions, the patent achieves reliable disease control while maintaining the environmental benefits of biocontrol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional fungicide application methods are used, then disease control is achieved, but development of fungal resistance worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease controlVSAvoidfungal resistance development

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the issue of fungal resistance by using beneficial fungi as control agents. Since biocontrol agents work through multiple mechanisms (parasitism, competition, antibiosis) rather than single-mode chemical action, pathogenic fungi cannot easily develop resistance. The beneficial fungi physically parasitize pathogenic fungi, compete for nutrients and space, and produce antimicrobial substances, creating multifaceted pressure that prevents resistance development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces beneficial microorganisms as intermediary agents that biologically interact with pathogenic fungi, providing a sustainable control mechanism that does not select for chemical resistance. These intermediary organisms establish ecological relationships with both the pathogen and host plant, creating a balanced system that maintains long-term effectiveness without resistance issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Trichoderma atroviride TAL-17 effectively controls downy mildew in grapevines by enhancing growth-stimulating properties and maintaining high viability, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides.

Implementation Method 1

The beneficial fungus Trichoderma harzianum suppresses fungal pathogens through biological control mechanisms including mycoparasitism and competition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMycoparasitism:

Implementation Method 2

The fungal culture filtrate produces antimicrobial substances that inhibit pathogen growth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial substance production:

Data Source

PatentEP4262398B1Biocontrol agent and its use against fungal plant diseases

Publication Date: 2026.05.06 AGRO IND RES & DEVS & DEV A R D

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a biocontrol agent and to the use thereof for controlling fungal diseases of plants.