The Biocontrol and Growth-Promoting Potential of Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. in Sustainable Agriculture

Author: mycolabadmin
6/30/2025
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Summary

This review examines how two types of beneficial fungi, Penicillium and Trichoderma, can improve crop growth and protect plants from diseases without using chemical pesticides. These fungi work by colonizing plant roots, producing natural compounds that boost plant health, and fighting harmful pathogens. They are affordable, safe, and environmentally friendly alternatives for sustainable farming that can increase yields while reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and fungicides.

Background

Plant-growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) play a central role in sustainable agriculture by improving plant growth and resilience. Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. are non-pathogenic soil-borne filamentous fungi known for their ability to enhance plant growth, fix nutrients, and induce systemic resistance. These fungi are capable of producing bioactive compounds including terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic components.

Objective

The aim of this literature review is to survey the impacts of Trichoderma spp. and Penicillium spp. on various agricultural and horticultural plants. The review synthesizes information from randomized control experiments, review articles, and analytical studies gathered from multiple literature sources including Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct.

Results

Both Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. demonstrated significant biocontrol and growth-promoting effects across multiple plant species. These fungi enhance nutrient absorption, morphological growth, reproductive potential and yield, and induce disease resistance through multiple mechanisms including phytohormone production, nutrient solubilization, and secondary metabolite production.

Conclusion

Both Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. are effective, affordable, safe, and eco-friendly biocontrol agents for various plant species. These fungi can be considered economically important microorganisms for both agricultural and horticultural sciences with significant potential for sustainable crop production and disease management.

Published in:Plants (Basel),
Study Type:Review,
Source: PMC12251682, PMID: 40648017, DOI: 10.3390/plants14132007