Genetic Diversity of Trichoderma spp. Isolated from Soils in the Iraqi Environment

Background: Trichoderma species are biocontrol fungi of great significance in sustainable agriculture soils worldwide. Despite their global importance, little is known about the genetic diversity of local strains, particularly those from extreme habitat Iraqi desert soils. The study utilizes precise molecular techniques (PCR/ ITS analysis), avoiding classical identification constraints, to explore the genetic diversity of Najaf and Karbala Trichoderma isolates. Through comparisons with worldwide records (National center for biotechnology information, NCBI), the research aims at understanding local biodiversity and determining their prospects for sustainable agricultural applications. Methods: Fungal isolates from desert soils were molecular identified using PCR, amplifying the ITS genetic region with the ITS1-ITS4 primers. Resulting DNA sequences were compared to the NCBI database through BLAST to identify species. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out using MEGA-X. Distinct isolates were identified and accession numbers were assigned. This molecular approach successfully enabled assessment of genetic diversity within Trichoderma spp. populations. Result: Genetic analysis revealed two novel, previously unregistered isolates: T. reesei (4) and Trichoderma harzianum (5) , which were then deposited in NCBI under the accession numbers PV112458 and PV114821, respectively. The other identified species, Trichoderma viride (3), Trichoderma longibrachiatum (1) and Trichoderma harzianum (2), were also recorded in NCBI, with the accession numbers PV113441, PV114839 and PV114819, respectively.