Trichoderma Strains for Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Plant Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Trichoderma strains used for plant growth promotion and disease resistance are not universally effective, and their application often results in overuse of nitrogen fertilizers, leading to environmental issues like nitrous oxide emissions and excess nitrogen in soil and water.
Innovation Solution
The use of specific Trichoderma harzianum strain RR17Bc, Trichoderma atroviride strain WW10TC4, and Trichoderma harzianum strain F11Bab, which colonize plant roots to enhance growth, resistance to abiotic stresses, and nitrogen use efficiency, thereby reducing nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen leaching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current Trichoderma strains are used for plant growth promotion, then plant growth is enhanced, but nitrogen fertilizer overuse occurs leading to environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting specific Trichoderma strains (T. harzianum RR17Bc, T. atroviride WW10TC4, T. harzianum F11Bab) with optimized characteristics for nitrogen use efficiency. These strains have been characterized to possess specific biological parameters that enhance plant nitrogen uptake and utilization, thereby reducing the need for excessive nitrogen fertilizer application and subsequent environmental pollution.
2Quantity of substance
If Trichoderma strains are applied to increase nitrogen use efficiency, then nitrogen fertilizer requirements are reduced, but plant growth promotion effectiveness varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by selecting Trichoderma strains that perform multiple functions simultaneously: they promote plant growth, enhance nitrogen use efficiency, and provide disease resistance. These strains have been demonstrated to exhibit consistent effectiveness across different plant species and growth conditions, making them universally applicable solutions for both reducing nitrogen fertilizer requirements and ensuring reliable plant growth promotion.
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AI summary
A method for enhancing growth of plants comprising contacting a Trichoderma strain with the plant or a plant seed under conditions effective for the Trichoderma strain to colonize the roots of the plant or a plant grown from the plant seed, thereby creating a plant- Trichoderma system. The plant or plant seed is grown under conditions effective to sustain the plant-Tnchoderma system in a planting medium and to enhance plant growth. The Trichoderma strain is selected from the group consisting of Trichoderma atroviride strain WW10TC4 (ATCC accession number PTA 9707), Trichoderma harzianum strain RR17Bc (ATCC accession number PTA 9708), Trichoderma harzianum strain F11 Bab (ATCC accession number PTA 9709), and combinations thereof. Methods of enhancing resistance of plants to abiotic stress, increasing nitrogen use efficacy in plants, reducing nitrous oxide emissions in air, reducing leaching of nitrates into soil and water, and enhancing sequestration of carbon from air are disclosed.