Asexual development in Trichoderma: From conidia to chlamydospores

Abstract

Three asexual reproduction strategies have been described for Trichoderma: conidiation, microcycle conidiation and chlamydosporogenesis. The vast majority of Trichoderma biocontrol preparations consist of conidia generated in bulk and, as such, much research has been undertaken into conidiation, establishing Trichoderma as a model for asexual reproduction in fungi (Steyaert et al., 2010b). In this chapter we will discuss what is known of the key factors involved in the induction and regulation of conidiation. At the end of the chapter we will provide an overview of the less well understood processes of microcycle conidiation and chlamydosporogenesis.