Chapter 15 - Trichoderma—a new strategy in combating agriculture problems

Abstract

Increasing use of potentially hazardous chemicals in agriculture has resulted in growing concern for both the environment and public health. However, use of biological control strategy is a risk free and economically feasible approach. One of the most promising biological control agents is Trichoderma, which is ubiquitous in soil and root ecosystems. Ecological adaptability of Trichoderma species is evidenced by their widespread distribution in different agro-climatic conditions and they have different types of biocontrol and plant growth promoting properties. In the soil ecosystem, Trichoderma species are prolific producers of secondary metabolites such as peptaibols, pyrones, and siderophores, which act as antimicrobial and plant growth promoting compounds. Trichoderma species recorded maximum growth inhibition of plant pathogens (Sclerotium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, and Aspergillus). Trichoderma species are resistant to different types of chemical pesticides of higher concentration. Hence, development and use of efficient Trichoderma species is very important for disease management and sustainable agriculture production.