Trichoderma atroviride SC1 for Stone Fruit Tree Fungal Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved methods to treat fungal infections on stone fruit trees, particularly those caused by Coryneum beijerinckii, Taphrina deformans, Monilinia laxa, and Fusicoccum amygdali, while reducing chemical applications and minimizing harm to non-target organisms.

Innovation Solution

The use of Trichoderma atroviride strain SC1 as a biocontrol agent applied to stone fruit trees or their parts, or their locus, to prevent or combat fungal infections, with formulations that include Trichoderma atroviride, Trichoderma asperellum, and Trichoderma gamsii, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to other strains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical treatment is used to control fungal infections, then fungal infection control effectiveness is improved, but harm to non-target organisms and environmental pollution increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefungal infection control effectivenessVSAvoidharm to non-target organisms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical fungicides with a biological control system using Trichoderma atroviride SC1. The biocontrol agent utilizes biological mechanisms including mycoparasitism (feeding on fungal hyphae), competition for resources, and induction of plant resistance to control fungal infections, thereby eliminating the need for harmful chemical substances while maintaining effective disease control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The Trichoderma atroviride SC1 strain exhibits self-regulating properties through its ability to produce antimicrobial compounds and activate plant defense mechanisms automatically upon contact with the pathogen. The system serves itself by utilizing the fungal infection as a food source and trigger for protective responses, eliminating the need for external chemical interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If chemical treatments are applied to prevent fungal infections, then disease control effectiveness is improved, but phytotoxicity and negative effects on plant health increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease control effectivenessVSAvoidphytotoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes chemical fungicides with a biological control mechanism where Trichoderma atroviride SC1 uses enzymatic and metabolic processes to control fungal pathogens. The biocontrol agent employs mycoparasitism, competition, and plant immunity induction without introducing toxic chemicals that could harm the plant, thereby achieving disease control without phytotoxicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional fungal infection control methods are used, then infection severity is reduced, but dependency on chemical applications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection severityVSAvoiddependency on chemical applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The Trichoderma atroviride SC1 strain establishes a self-sustaining biological control system that automatically responds to fungal infections through its inherent parasitic and competitive properties. The system requires no external chemical inputs, maintaining effective disease control while reducing dependency on chemical applications through its autonomous biological mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces Trichoderma atroviride SC1 as an intermediary biological agent between the plant and fungal pathogens. This biocontrol mediator activates plant defense mechanisms and directly attacks pathogens through biological means, providing effective infection control while reducing the need for chemical intermediaries

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 strain SC1 effectively reduces pest incidence and severity of fungal infections, achieving results comparable to or better than conventional chemical treatments without causing phytotoxicity or harming non-target organisms, thereby increasing orchard yield.

Implementation Method 1

The present inventors realised that Trichoderma selected from the group consisting of Trichoderma atroviride, Trichoderma asperellum, and Trichoderma gamsii can be used as biocontrol agents against fungal infections on stone fruit trees or parts thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiocontrol:

Implementation Method 2

the application of Trichoderma atroviride, in particular Trichoderma atroviride SC1, on nectarine trees resulted in fungicidal effects on several fungal infections

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFungicidal effect:

Data Source

PatentEP3890493B1Methods for treating a fungal infection on a stone fruit tree

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 BIPA NV

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for preventing or combating a fungal infection on a stone fruit tree or a part thereof, the method comprising applying Trichoderma atroviride strain SC1 to the tree, the part thereof, or the locus of the tree. The invention also provides the use of Trichoderma atroviride strain SC1 in the prevention or combat of a fungal infection on a stone fruit tree or part thereof.