Trichodermafor Biocontrol and Biostimulation – A Green Fungus Revolution in Agriculture

The challenges to modern agriculture have not changed over time. Trichoderma are filamentous fungi belonging to the division Ascomycota, Order Hypocreales and Family Hypocreaceae. The selection of potential Trichoderma biocontrol agents can be based on observations of parasitized phytopathogens or in vitro experiments that demonstrate growth inhibition of the targeted microorganisms in plate confrontation cultures. Over time it became apparent that there were additional beneficial processes attributable to Trichoderma in the interactions with the plant that positively influenced crop protection to pathogens and pests. The crop protection properties of Trichoderma to confer resistance of the plant to biotic stress was also noted when the plants were subjected to abiotic stress. Other benefits to the plant by Trichoderma depend upon the fungal species/strains, the different compounds produced and their varying bioactive properties.