17 Sexual Development in Trichoderma

Fungi of the genus Trichoderma are known for their diverse applications producers of enzymes, as secondary metabolites, and as potent biocontrol organisms. Therefore, tools for strain improvement are among the major subjects of research with Trichoderma in academia and industry. The genus Trichoderma was mentioned already about 200 years ago in literature, and also a potential anamorph–teleomorph relationship was suspected very early. However, it took more than 100 years until this relationship could be confirmed for Trichoderma reesei by molecular and biological data. T. reesei is one of the most productive organisms used in biotechnology for enzyme production. Due to its efficient production of cellulolytic enzymes, T. reesei became a model organism for plant cell wall degradation.