Trichoderma citrinoviride endophytic fungus, SEM

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Trichoderma citrinoviride, an endophytic fungus of cork oak (Quercus suber) that has been selected for its antagonistic potential against various fungal pathogens involved in oak decline. It has been screened for the production of bioactive secondary metabolites, and the results emphasize the cryptic role of endophytic fungi as a source of novel bioactive natural products and biocontrol agents. Trichoderma is a genus of fungi that is present in all soils and are the most prevalent culturable fungi for research studies. Many species in this genus can be characterized as opportunistic avirulent plant symbionts. Shown here are the first divisions of the conidiophores that terminate as one phialide (orange). Magnification: x1,065 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.