Recent progress in genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics has substantially improved the understanding of Trichoderma–plant–pathogen interactions and revealed considerable strain-specific variation in biocontrol and plant growth-promoting traits.
Abstract
Trichoderma species are widely investigated and commercially applied as eco-friendly biocontrol agents in sustainable agriculture. These filamentous fungi protect plants through multiple complementary mechanisms, including mycoparasitism, antibiosis, competition for nutrients and ecological niches, and induction of systemic resistance in host plants. These activities are mediated by a diverse array of secondary metabolites, hydrolytic enzymes, and signaling pathways that collectively suppress pathogens and enhance plant health. Beyond disease control, selected Trichoderma strains promote plant growth by improving nutrient acquisition, modulating phytohormone signaling, and increasing tolerance to abiotic stresses. This review summarizes recent advances in the mechanisms underlying Trichoderma spp. mediated biocontrol, with particular emphasis on secondary metabolites, formulation strategies, commercialization, and field applications. Commercial products are available in various formulations, including wettable powders, granules, and liquid preparations, and have demonstrated efficacy against several economically important plant diseases under field conditions. However, their performance remains highly dependent on strain characteristics, host species, environmental conditions and agricultural practices, resulting in inconsistent efficacy across agroecosystems. Recent progress in genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics has substantially improved our understanding of Trichoderma–plant–pathogen interactions and revealed considerable strain-specific variation in biocontrol and plant growth-promoting traits. Future research should prioritize strain-specific optimization, formulation stability, microbiome-informed applications, and improved field predictability. Overall, Trichoderma spp. Represents a valuable component of integrated disease management, offering an effective and sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides.
Filamentous fungi of the genus Trichoderma, commonly found in the rhizosphere, are a prevalent component of various soil ecosystem mycobiomes and are known for their ability to colonize plant roots. Understanding Trichoderma's characteristics, including its metabolic activity and interactions with plants and other microorganisms, is crucial for its effective application in agriculture. Interest in Trichoderma is growing due to its direct and indirect biocontrol capabilities against a wide spectrum of soil-borne phytopathogens. These fungi employ a range of complex mechanisms, such as mycoparasitism, degradation of pathogen cell walls, competition for nutrients and space, and activation of plant defence responses. Given the continuous threat posed to plants by various pathogens, particularly filamentous fungi, and the increasing resistance of these pathogens to chemical pesticides, there is a pressing need to develop alternative biological protection strategies. Among non-pathogenic microorganisms, Trichoderma stands out as a promising candidate for sustainable agricultural practices due to its extensive biofertilization and bio stimulatory properties. Most Trichoderma species function as plant growth-promoting fungi, capable of producing phytohormones and the enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase. This review consolidates current knowledge on the role of Trichoderma, emphasizing its significance in promoting plant growth and its effectiveness in the biocontrol of fungal phytopathogens.
S. Rana, V. Saini, Zehra Husaini et al.· Progressive Agriculture· 0 citations
The genus Trichoderma comprises one of the most intensively studied groups of beneficial fungi in agriculture due to its ability to suppress plant pathogens while simultaneously promoting plant growth. In recent years, increasing restrictions on chemical pesticides, rising climate-related stresses, and the demand for sustainable food production have accelerated interest in Trichoderma-based solutions. Advances in molecular biology, genomics, and metabolomics have revealed extensive functional diversity among Trichoderma species and strains, expanding their perceived role beyond classical biocontrol to include plant nutrition, stress tolerance, crop quality, and food safety. The objective of this review is to critically synthesize recent research on Trichoderma spp. by integrating biocontrol mechanisms, plant growth promotion and biofortification, and emerging roles in food quality and safety, while explicitly addressing the sources of variability that limit their predictable application in agricultural systems. Despite the growing body of literature, major gaps remain in understanding why similar Trichoderma species or strains produce divergent outcomes across crops, environments, and experimental scales. In particular, strain-specific functional traits, plant genotype, soil properties, and interactions with native microbiomes contribute to inconsistent results between in vitro studies, greenhouse trials, and field applications. This review examines three interconnected dimensions: (i) the principal mechanisms of biocontrol and their ecological modulation; (ii) plant growth promotion and nutrient biofortification across major crop groups; and (iii) contributions to food quality and safety, including postharvest disease control and mycotoxin mitigation. By comparing evidence across experimental scales and agricultural contexts, this article identifies key knowledge gaps, explains contradictory findings in the literature, and highlights why overgeneralization of Trichoderma benefits should be avoided. The review concludes by outlining research priorities needed to improve strain selection, context-aware application strategies, and the reliability of Trichoderma-based technologies in sustainable agriculture and food systems.
This review synthesizes current knowledge on the structural classes of plant-derived compounds and critically evaluates their applications as biocontrol agents against bacterial phytopathogens, highlighting their potential integration into sustainable resilience and global food security.
Adyasha Anapurba Sahoo, Sangeeta Raut, Aswinee Kumar Panda et al.· Journal of Crop Health· 0 citations
This review summarizes current knowledge on direct mechanisms of actinobacteria and their metabolites, aiming to support the future application of actinobacteria and their metabolites as part of biological plant disease management strategies.
András Sáhó, E. Lakatos, Babett Greff· Agriculture· 0 citations
Postharvest losses of horticultural produce, primarily due to microbial decay, remain a major challenge to global food security, accounting for 35–50% of production annually. To control this, overuse of synthetic fungicides has led to pathogen resistance, environmental contamination, and health concerns, prompting a shift toward sustainable biocontrol agents (BCAs). This review comprehensively examines the potential of microbial antagonists (yeasts, bacteria, and fungi), plant-based agents (essential oils and extracts), and natural compounds (e.g., chitosan, alginate, organic acids, etc.) for managing postharvest diseases in fruits and vegetables. Key mechanisms of action including competition for nutrients and space, production of antifungal metabolites and enzymes, biofilm formation, induction of host resistance, and volatile organic compounds are discussed in detail. Application strategies (pre- and postharvest), synergistic integrations with physical/chemical treatments, advantages over conventional pesticides, and major challenges (e.g., formulation stability, regulatory hurdles, and commercialization) are critically analyzed. Emerging approaches such as omics technologies, microbial consortia, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology offer promising avenues to enhance BCA efficacy and consistency. This review highlights successful examples and future perspectives of BCAs in postharvest diseases control setup and more importantly their co-applications together with other natural disease control methods and technologies. Finally, it underscores BCAs as viable, eco-friendly alternatives that can extend shelf life, preserve quality, and support sustainable postharvest management.
Esa Abiso Godana, Gerefa Sefu Edo, Sebahat Oztekin et al.· Frontiers in Nutrition· 0 citations
Plant–microbe interaction is an essential component of sustainable agriculture which promotes plant growth, improves nutrient assimilation, and enhances plant resistance to various environmental stress conditions. Beneficial microbes, such as rhizobacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, and endophytes, boost plant functions using molecular signaling, phytohormone modification, systemic resistance induction, and pathogen antagonism. The use of new multi-omics techniques has uncovered complicated communication systems mediated by root exudates, recognition via receptors and microbial community functioning. In this review, the current understanding of the molecular basis of plant–microbe associations and their roles in combating drought, salinity, temperature, and heavy metals stresses is summarized. Special attention is paid to the promising approach based on microbiome engineering, synthetic communities and next generation biofertilizers for climate-smart agriculture. The main difficulties associated with environmental fluctuations, host specificity, inconsistency at field scale, and the lack of omics and bioinoculant validation guidelines are also highlighted.
Bishal Sarkar, Saumendu Deb Roy· Discover Plants· 0 citations
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