Abstract

The ascomycetous filamentous fungal genus Trichoderma has at least two faces, like Agni, the God of fire in Hindu mythology. Or maybe even three? The ‘Good’, the ‘Bad’ and the ‘Ugly’? In fact, Trichoderma species can be considered: (1) ‘Good’—as plant-beneficial microorganisms in agriculture due to a plethora of antagonistic mechanisms acting against plant pathogens, e.g., inhibiting them through the production of antimicrobial metabolites or by direct parasitism, or indirectly, promoting the growth of crop plants and inducing their immune system; (2) ‘Bad’ —as devastating agents of green mould diseases in the cultivation of mushrooms viz. champignon, oyster mushroom, shiitake, etc., destroying crops and thereby causing serious economic damage world-wide; and (3) ‘Ugly’—as opportunistic pathogens of mainly immunocompromised humans. Do biocontrol Trichoderma strains represent a risk to mushroom production or human health? Is the agricultural application of Trichoderma strains safe or rather risky? The aim of this review is to address these important questions.

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