Fe-Chelating Compounds Producing Fungal Communities and Their Applications

Fungi are producing many secondary compounds such as siderophores that play an important role in the agriculture field. Siderophores are an essential compound produced by some fungal communities such as plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF), biocontrol agent, and phytopathogen during iron deficiency. Iron is an essential compound for the fungi physiology. Indeed, a few studies mention the role of fungal siderophores in agriculture. Many types of siderophores are detected such as fusarinines, rhodotorulic acid, coprogens, and ferrichrome that are secreted by fungi. The ability to produce siderophores is an interesting trait for some species of fungi which can be utilized in agriculture instead of synthetic chemicals. Many important fungi can produce siderophores including mycorrhiza, Trichoderma, Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium. However, the mechanism of iron chelating by producing siderophores, is possible applying in control of plant pathogens, weeds, and promoting plant growth. This mechanism showed high efficacy in competing and affecting the activity and growth of several plant pathogens that can cause inhibition for growth. This mechanism can provide iron easy to absorb for plants which are promoting plant growth. However, it must determine the ability of fungal strains to produce siderophores at an appropriate level. It is helpful in enhancing the traits of producing siderophores by these these fungi under the different environments that potential increase in their efficiency for using in agriculture.