Trichoderma role as an essential plant growth promotion-a review

Abstract

In the world, pest infestation is responsible for 70% or more of per cent losses in agricultural productivity, and mycopesticide can provide an alternative option to pest control option as an alternative to synthetic pesticides. Trichoderma is a genus of fungal species, and Trichoderma viride is one of the known fungal species in categories that exhibit biocontrol mechanisms since it is well-identified for 100% effectiveness in pest control. The mycelium of T. viride has shown its capabilities for the production of various types of enzymes, including cellulases and chitinase, with degradation capability for celluloses and chitin polymers, respectively. It is ubiquitous in nature. It is widely used for the management of crop diseases and is basically soil-borne, but it is also foliar. Trichoderma has shown its potential due to diversity, ecology, and application. The mechanism of action includes competition, production of different metabolites, induced resistance and enzymes, etc. There are several commercial formulations available all over the world that are used against crop diseases. Trichoderma, due to its potential for degradation capability, can be utilised from waste to wealth. Later on, with the development of more research on Trichoderma, various utilities were found. This includes its effective control against harmful insects in agricultural as well as health sectors. It also can detoxify the heavy metals. In the health sector, continuous exploration of its benefits for drug discovery is being done. As a whole, it can be considered soil gold and a promising future beneficial microbe.