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The green shield: Trichoderma’s role in sustainable agriculture against soil-borne fungal threats

Summary

This study examined how a beneficial fungus called Trichoderma can protect crops from harmful soil fungi without using chemical pesticides. Researchers isolated Trichoderma from soil in Kashmir and tested it against 12 different disease-causing fungi. The results showed that Trichoderma effectively stopped the growth of harmful fungi both through direct contact and through compounds it produces. This natural approach could help farmers grow healthier crops while protecting the environment.

Background

Soil-borne pathogenic fungi pose a significant threat to agricultural productivity worldwide, causing substantial crop yield losses. Traditional chemical control methods carry environmental risks and are increasingly costly. Biological control using microorganisms like Trichoderma species offers a sustainable alternative to conventional pesticide treatments.

Objective

The study aimed to isolate Trichoderma species from soil samples collected in the Kashmir Himalaya region and evaluate their in vitro biocontrol efficacy against 12 soil-borne fungal pathogens. The research assessed the antagonistic properties of native Trichoderma isolates as potential biocontrol agents for sustainable disease management.

Results

Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride showed significant inhibitory activity against all tested pathogens, with radial growth inhibition ranging from 20.18% to 58.13% and 7.01% to 67.16% respectively. Culture filtrates at higher concentrations (15-20%) were more effective than lower concentrations, with mycelial growth inhibition increasing proportionally with filtrate concentration across all tested fungal pathogens.

Conclusion

Native Trichoderma species isolated from Kashmir soil demonstrated competent biocontrol efficacy against soil-borne plant pathogens and can be incorporated into integrated disease management strategies. These results support the use of Trichoderma species as sustainable biological control agents to protect crops from fungal diseases without environmental risk.
  • Published in:Current Research in Microbial Science,
  • Study Type:In Vitro Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39649407, DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100313
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