Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology
SCOPUS
  • Year: 2025
  • Volume: 18
  • Issue: 8

First Report of the Antagonistic Fungus Trichoderma simmonsii in Cedarwood in Morocco

  • Author:
  • Narjisse Mokhtari1,*, Oussama Chauiyakh2,3, Safae EL Aammouri4, Ahlam Mbarki3,5, Mouhcine Gardoul3,6, Fatiha Bentata7, Abdelaziz Chaouch8, Abderrahman Bouassab1, Aziz Ettahir2, Mohamed Chabbi1
  • Total Page Count: 4
  • Page Number: 3907 to 3910

1Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Materials, Natural Substances and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco

2Mohammed V University in Rabat, Higher School of Technology of Salé, Material, Energetic and Acoustics Team, Salé, Morocco

3Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics Platform, National Center for Scientific and Technical Research, Rabat, Morocco

4Laboratory of Vegetal, Animal Productions and Agro-Industry, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, B.P 242, Kenitra, 14000, Morocco

5Microbiology and Molecular Biology Team, Center of Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University

6Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Research Team, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco

7Laboratory of Phytopathology, National Institute of Agronomic Research, Rabat, Morocco

8Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, Faculty of Sciences, Laboratory of Agrophysiology, Biotechnology, Environment and Quality, Kenitra, Morocco

*Corresponding Author E-mail: narjisse.mokhtari@etu.uae.ac.ma

Online Published on 30 October, 2025.

Abstract

Trichoderma species are known for their power to control the pathogenic fungi. They can be isolated from soil, plant roots, rotting wood, and other organic substances and are widely distributed in nature. Trichoderma is the most widely utilized fungal biological control agent against crop plant pathogens, including soilborne and foliar infections. Our study is interested in isolating fungi from the wood parts of cedar trunks and identifying its mycoflora. A sample was isolated from the cedar grove of Boutrouba forest located in Ifrane National Park in Morocco. The culture and purification of the isolated fungus were done on a water agar medium and then on a Malt Agar medium. After the purification of the fungus, a molecular characterization allowed us to identify the antagonistic agent Trichoderma simmonsii with a coverage percentage of 97,58% and an identity of 99%. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. simmonsii in Morocco.

Keywords

Antagonism, Biocontrol, Trichoderma simmonsii, Cedrus atlantica M.