A research article on Trichoderma spp: An effective biocontrol agent for management of plant diseases and enhance the sustainability

Abstract

Trichoderma spp. are free living asexual fungi that are present in all types of agricultural soils, root ecosystem and also in decaying wood. The fungus is also a decomposer of cellulosic waste materials and antagonistic activity showed that it is parasitic on many soil-borne and foliage pathogens viz., bacteria, fungus, virus, nematodes and higher parasitic plants and effectively control collar rot, root rot, foot rot, stem rot, sheath blight, gray mold, damping off, mildew and other disease like nematode causing problems etc. The traditional method (chemical-based pesticides) control plant diseases very effectively and suppress plant pathogens but these are not eco-friendly. Continuous use of agro-chemical and pesticides caused the resistance in pathogens towards these chemicals. It not only develops resistance among pathogens but also causes environmental pollution, this hazardous chemical pollutes water body and pollute our food chain too. It is harming fish and other aquatic lives, beneficial insects like honeybee, predator insects and other non-targeted organisms like plant growth promoting rhizobacteria-fungus (PGPR & PGPF). For overcome with these unsafe methods researchers are searching some other alternative methods that are significantly eco-friendly. Biological control agents, plants extract, crop rotation with potential crop/varieties, repellent plant, natural enemies, PGPR and PGPF are some of the most effective control measure in which, Trichoderma is the most versatile fungus genus that can control and manage phytopathogenic diseases and so increase plant growth. So, this review was summarised that Trichoderma spp. act as effective bio-agent can control many plant pathogenic fungus like Fusarium, Phytophthora, Pythium, Colletotrichum, Fulvia, Rhizoctonia, Rhizopus, Alternaria, Verticillium, and Sclerotinia etc.