Benefits offered by Trichoderma

Benefits offered by Trichoderma
Several strains of Trichoderma produce various “secondary metabolites.” Compounds like epipolythiodioxopiperazines, peptaibols, pyrones, and pyridones help in plant development and promotes plant growth. When the fungus colonizes the plant roots, the plant develops more robust roots. Trichoderma has effects on physical attributes of the plants, and effects how it grows and metabolizes nutrients – its physiology. This can lead to better yield and quality of the produce.

Seed treatment with Trichoderma leads to better germination of plants and more and healthier plants in the field.

The most important benefit from the fungus is its ability to fight diseases caused by other microbes. Trichoderma shows antagonistic interactions with other pathogens by various mode of actions, and it saves plant from dying.

One way Trichoderma fights is by attacking the other fungus. It is known to coil around the other fungus and penetrate cells of other fungus. It can also secrete harmful chemicals for the fungus, and steal nutrients from it. This eventually kills the other fungus. Other mode of actions is competing with pathogens for resources and releasing chemicals into environment which inhibits growth of pathogens.

Using fungi like Trichoderma is an alternative to pesticide use. This is called a biological control method.

‘By Soil Science Society of America|July 19, 2022‘