Potential of Trichoderma spp. for Pest Management and Plant Growth Promotion in NE India

Abstract

The growing concern about the health and environmental hazards of chemical pesticides worldwide and burgeoning interest on organic or chemical residue-free food have driven plant protection research towards developing a bio-intensive and ecofriendly strategy of pest management. At this juncture, exploring plant-beneficial microbes including the fungal genus Trichoderma is considered as the most suitable tactic. Trichoderma is known as the most commonly used biocontrol agent, as Trichoderma based biopesticides occupy a significant position in the world biopesticide market. The plant-beneficial properties of Trichoderma have widened its horizon beyond plant disease management, and the genus is explored for biotic and abiotic stress management as well. Trichoderma has shown its potential in plant growth promotion and activating defence mechanism in plants. In the recent decade, the genus has caught researchers’ attention in insect pest management as well as bioremediation of organic and inorganic pollutants. This book chapter summarizes the comprehensive information on research findings on Trichoderma including plant disease and insect pest management, plant growth promotion, Trichoderma-mediated host defence response, role in organic agriculture in NE India and discusses the future line of research works.