ABSTRACT
Trichoderma spp. is a symbiotic saprotrophic fungus that is distributed worldwide, commonly isolated from rhizosphere soil or decaying plant materials. Soils of India available for agriculture are mainly covered by alluvial black, red, and laterite soils in which alluvial soils cover around 43% of total available agricultural land. The use of species-specific primer is a potent tool for distinguishing individual Trichoderma species. There are various mechanisms through which Trichoderma inhibit the growth of pathogens. These mechanisms include mycoparasitism, antibiosis, starvation, and induced resistance. Trichoderma has several genes that help the plant to survive against abiotic and biotic stress. Chemical fungicides that are normally used to control plant disease are very harmful for the environment. They pollute air, water, and soil, causing harm to human health. Use of biocontrol agents makes the environment safe. Trichoderma is a well-known biocontrol agent and it is effective against a variety of pathogens.
