Trichoderma An Effective Biocontrol Agent

Abstract

Biological control, the use of specific microorganism that interfere with plant pathogens and pests is a nature friendly, ecological approach to overcome the problems caused by standard ~hem.ical methods of plant protection .In the pool of many fungal species, Trichoderma an ascomycete fungal genus is a very effective biological mean for plant disease management especially the soil born. It is a free living fungus which is common in soil and root ecosystem. Trichoderma is highly int~ractive in roots, soil and foliar environments.It reduces growth, survival or infection caused by different mechanism like competition, antibiosis, mycoparasitism, hyphal interaction and enzyme secretion. Recent studies show that they are opportunistic, avirulent plant symbionts, as well as parasites of other fungi. Tricoderma harzianum used for cOntrolling collar rot· of coffee see4Jings. Including Tichoderma spp.,Pseudomonas spp. and Rhizobium are also used as bio- control agent & genetic engineering techniques are used to increase · · their effectiveness & stability. · 1