ABSTRACT
Most of the Trichoderma and Gliocladium strains described in the scientific literature have been isolated either as potential biocontrol agents against fungal plant pathogens or because of their cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic activities. Chitinases and glucanases have been frequently studied because of their ability to degrade fungal cell walls during biocontrol (see Chapter 3), although other cell wall degrading enzymes such as proteases, lipases, and phosphatases may also be involved. This chapter deals with the properties, enzymology and genetics of the glucanases and other lytic enzymes produced by Trichoderma and Gliocladium spp.
