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Trichoderma and its role in biological control of plant fungal and nematode disease

Summary

Trichoderma is a beneficial fungus that can protect crops from diseases and pests while promoting healthier plant growth, without harmful chemical pesticides. It works through multiple strategies: competing with harmful fungi for nutrients, producing natural toxins that kill pathogens, directly parasitizing disease-causing organisms, and strengthening the plant’s own immune system. This eco-friendly approach reduces chemical pollution while improving crop quality and yields, making it an ideal solution for sustainable farming.

Background

Excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers has caused environmental pollution and plant disease problems. Biological control using beneficial organisms offers an eco-friendly alternative. Trichoderma is a widely distributed fungal biocontrol agent used to control soil-borne and foliar diseases in various plants.

Objective

This review systematically examines the biological control mechanisms of Trichoderma against plant fungal and nematode diseases, including competition, antibiosis, antagonism, and mycoparasitism. It also explores mechanisms of plant growth promotion and systemic resistance induction, and discusses applications and control effects in various plant diseases.

Results

Trichoderma employs multiple mechanisms including competition for nutrients and space, mycoparasitism through cell wall degradation, antibiosis via secondary metabolites, and antagonism through combined mechanisms. It controls numerous plant pathogenic fungi and nematodes with control effects ranging from 54.8% to 88.24% in various crops. Trichoderma also promotes plant growth, enhances nutrient utilization, and induces systemic resistance.

Conclusion

Trichoderma represents a safe, effective, and environmentally friendly biocontrol agent for sustainable agriculture. Further research is needed to develop efficient strains, improve shelf life and storage stability, optimize application technologies, and explore synergistic effects with other microorganisms. Future directions include genetic engineering, developing new formulations, and understanding cross-genome interactions in disease resistance.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMC10189891, PMID: 37206337
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