Trichoderma as biological control agent: scope and prospects to improve efficacy

A major current challenge is to increase the food production while preserving natural resources. Agricultural practices that enhance the productivity and progressively improve the soil quality are relevant to face this challenge. Trichoderma species are widely used in agriculture to stimulate the pl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:World journal of microbiology & biotechnology 2021-05, Vol.37 (5), p.90-90, Article 90
Main Authors: Ferreira, Flavia V., Musumeci, Matías A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural practices
Agriculture
Applied Microbiology
Biochemistry
Biological control
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biotechnology
Cell walls
Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology
Farm buildings
Food
Food production
Fungi
Inoculation
Insects
Life Sciences
Microbiology
Natural resources
Nematodes
Pathogens
Plant growth
Protoplast fusion
Review
Soil improvement
Soil quality
Sustainable food systems
Sustainable production
Trichoderma
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Summary:A major current challenge is to increase the food production while preserving natural resources. Agricultural practices that enhance the productivity and progressively improve the soil quality are relevant to face this challenge. Trichoderma species are widely used in agriculture to stimulate the plant growth and to control different pathogens affecting crops, representing useful tools for sustainable food production. This mini-review summarizes applications of Trichoderma strains in agriculture to control fungal pathogens, nematodes and insects, the involved biocontrol mechanisms, efficacy and inoculation forms in greenhouse, field and post-harvest conditions. Aspects of Trichoderma handling that influence on biocontrol efficacy such as preventive treatments, frequency of applications and delivery methods are discussed. Strategies useful to improve the antagonistic performance such as the use of native strains, protoplast fusion, formulation, growth on pathogen cell wall medium and combination with other antagonists in integrated treatments are discussed. This mini-review provides practical knowledge to design safe and optimal biocontrol strategies based on Trichoderma and pose challenges to expand its antagonist performance.
ISSN:0959-3993
1573-0972
DOI:10.1007/s11274-021-03058-7