Trichoderma viride is highly competitive for nutrients and space, as it can grow quickly and uses nutrients efficiently. Harmful fungi are thus deprived of the space and growth factors they need for their development. In addition, the high competitiveness of Trichoderma viride is reflected in the high production of conidia and chlamydospores (survival stage of the fungus).

Trichoderma forms a symbiosis with the plant roots

Trichoderma is able to grow within the first two cell layers of the host root. This connection allows a positive use of both organisms: Trichoderma benefits from nutrients that plants excrete via the root to attract microorganisms like Trichoderma and the plant benefits from the connection in several ways.

Increased growth and enhancement of the plant’s nutrient uptake

Trichoderma produces auxins or growth hormones, which it passes on to the plant. The plant then uses auxin for its root and general growth. In addition, Trichoderma is able to make nutrients available in the soil more easily available to the plant. By producing organic acids, the pH value is reduced locally and the solubility of phosphates, micronutrients and e.g. iron etc. is increased. This makes the existing nutrients easier for the plant to access, which, in addition to the auxins, is reflected in the increased growth of the plant.

Pre-immunisation of the plant – increase of resistance

Pre-immunisation of the plant involves Trichoderma triggering the production of messenger substances (e.g. salicylic acid or jasmonic acid) throughout the plant. Messengers are signalling molecules and warn the entire plant when a pest is attacking the plant. Normally, these messenger substances are only produced when a pest occurs. With Trichoderma, this happens beforehand. This allows the plant to react more quickly to a pest attack, making it more resistant.

Biocontrol Agent

Trichoderma is a biocontrol fungus widely distributed worldwide. Trichoderma has a huge application value and potential in the field of biological control of plant diseases. Research on the use of Trichoderma to control plant diseases has been reported worldwide. T. viride has different degrees of inhibitory effects on 29 species of plant pathogenic fungi belonging to 18 genera, including Botrytis, Fusarium, and Rhizoctonia. Trichoderma has control effects on a variety of plant pathogenic fungi, such as Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum, Fusarium oxysporum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Botrytis cinerea, Pseudocercospora spp. and Colletotrichum spp.