Farming Smarter with Trichoderma: Maximizing Water, Nutrient Efficiency & Biocontrol Agent

Dr. Ankita Garkoti
Sep 9
7 min read

Updated: Sep 11

Introduction

Today, agriculture is faced with a range of challenges, including climate change, soil degradation, and rising input costs. To ensure long-term productivity and preserve soil and environmental health, the adoption of sustainable farming practices is imperative. Among these, the use of beneficial microbes stands out as a promising solution. Trichoderma, a genus of beneficial fungi, is a key player in this arena, renowned for its ability to enhance plant growth, improve nutrient and water use efficiency, and act as a biocontrol agent.

The potential properties of Trichoderma, including its metabolic activities and interactions with plants and other microorganisms, underscore its effective role in sustainable agriculture. A wide range of pathogens frequently target plants, and the use of chemical pesticides can lead to the development of resistance in these pathogens, causing adverse environmental impacts. As an alternative, the use of non-pathogenic microbes, such as Trichoderma, offers a sustainable solution due to its efficacy against pathogens, its ability to enhance nutrient availability through biofertilization, and its bio-stimulant properties. (1)

Trichoderma species are filamentous fungi known for their multifaceted role in promoting plant growth, inducing disease resistance, and tolerance to various abiotic stresses. (2) Trichoderma species produce filamentous hyphae, and their optimum temperature to grow for many strains is between 25 and 30 °C, though some cold-adapted species thrive at lower temperatures. They are widely present in diverse ecosystems, thriving particularly in environments rich in decomposing organic matter. (3) Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, T. Asperellum and T. atroviride are some important species of beneficial microbe, Trichoderma.

Trichoderma's ability to establish mutualistic endophytic relationships with plants is a testament to its versatility. It promotes growth, enhances nutrient uptake and availability, and provides protection against harmful pathogens. These multifunctional traits make Trichoderma an indispensable component of sustainable agriculture, offering a viable alternative to reduce dependency on chemical inputs.

Trichoderma-based biofertilizers and biocontrol agents offer a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly means to enhance crop health, nutrient efficiency, and pest resistance. Unlike chemical-based alternatives, they do not pose adverse environmental effects, making them a reassuring choice for growers. This blog explores what Trichoderma is and how it can help farmers cultivate healthier crops, from controlling diseases to enhancing water retention and nutrient capture, ultimately leading to more sustainable and productive farming practices.

Enhancing Water and Nutrient Efficiency

Photo Source: Harnessing Trichoderma in Agriculture for Productivity and Sustainability

Beneficial microbes, such as Trichoderma, serve multiple functions in promoting plant growth and development. Various species of Trichoderma play a pivotal role in plant health and productivity through numerous mechanisms. They are known to enhance root growth and development, induce tolerance to abiotic stresses by producing plant growth-promoting compounds such as auxins, and influence plant hormone levels, including ethylene and abscisic acid. These fungi also enhance the bioavailability and uptake of essential micro- and macronutrients, resulting in improved crop yield and productivity. (5) Trichoderma species are known to induce a range of physiological and biochemical modifications in plants that contribute to enhanced growth and increased resilience under water deficit conditions. For example, in eucalyptus, Trichoderma has been shown to enhance photosynthesis, improve water-use efficiency, and increase the accumulation of soluble sugars and amino acids. Similarly, in crops such as tomato, rice, corn, sugarcane, wheat and cocoa, the use of Trichoderma species has proven to be an effective strategy for promoting plant growth and enhancing tolerance to water stress. (6) Trichoderma species play a vital role in improving soil structure and enhancing its water retention capacity. As these beneficial fungi grow, their mycelial networks spread throughout the soil, binding particles together and promoting the formation of soil aggregates. These aggregates increase soil porosity, which significantly improves the soil's ability to retain water. Soils enriched with Trichoderma act like sponges, holding more moisture, a valuable advantage during periods of drought.

Trichoderma as a Bio-Control Agent

Trichoderma species are highly effective biocontrol agents used to manage a wide range of fungal and bacterial pathogens in crops.

In controlling fungal diseases, Trichoderma employs a mechanism known as Mycoparasitism, in which one fungus inhibits the growth of another by directly attacking the pathogen’s cells or structure. Species like Trichoderma virens parasitize the hyphae and destroy the resting structures of pathogenic fungi. This leads to the breakdown of the pathogen and a reduction in the potential inoculum present in the soil. (7)

Trichoderma species have also been shown to induce plant resistance against a wide range of diseases, and this resistance induction can be either systemic or localized. In addition to fungal pathogens, Trichoderma is equally effective against bacterial plant pathogens. For example, in Brassica oleracea (kale), Trichoderma colonize the plant and activates systemic resistance against the bacterial pathogen, Xanthomonas campestris. (8)

Due to its strong antagonistic activity, Trichoderma offers a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides, thereby empowering farmers to reduce their dependence on synthetic chemicals and adopt safer, more environmentally friendly agricultural practices. This shift not only benefits the environment but also contributes to the long-term health of the soil and the crops it supports.

Plant Disease Management by Trichoderma

Image source: Biological functions of Trichoderma spp. for agriculture applications - ScienceDirect

Mode of Action

Trichoderma is a beneficial microorganism widely recognized for its role as a biocontrol agent. It effectively suppresses a variety of phytopathogens, including bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas, as well as fungi like Fusarium, Curvularia, Colletotrichum, Alternaria, Rhizotonia, Pythium, and Phytophthora, among others. (7) There are different ways in which Trichoderma work as a biocontrol agent:

1. Competition: In this process, Trichoderma species grow faster and utilize available nutrients more efficiently than the pathogen, thereby outcompeting and suppressing the pathogen through nutrient competition.

2. Antibiosis: In this process, biocontrol agents, such as Trichoderma, produce specific antibiotic compounds that reduce or inhibit the growth of harmful pathogens.

3. Mycoparasitism: It is a process in which a beneficial fungus, such as Trichoderma, inhibits the growth of another pathogenic fungus by directly attacking the pathogen’s cells or structure.

4. Induced resistance: Trichoderma species are known to induce resistance in plants against pathogens through multiple mechanisms. Two main types of induced resistance in plants are induced systemic resistance (ISR) and Systemic acquired resistance (SAR).

5. Endophytes: Endophytes are microbes that colonize plant tissues without causing any visible symptoms and promote plant growth through various biological activities.

Image Source: Microorganisms - Trichoderma: A significant fungus for agriculture and the environment

Role as a Decomposer in the Nutrient Cycle

Decomposition is a biological process in which organic materials are broken down into simpler substances that other organisms can utilize. Microorganisms, such as Trichoderma, act as natural decomposers, playing a crucial role in recycling nutrients by accelerating the breakdown of organic matter. As organic matter breaks down, essential nutrients are released into the soil, making them available for plant uptake and contributing to healthy growth and development. When plant and animal residues decompose, microorganisms such as Trichoderma help break down this organic material, returning it to the soil. In this way, decomposers like Trichoderma play a vital role in the decomposition process and in maintaining the natural cycle of nutrients in the ecosystem. Trichoderma species are effective natural decomposers that accelerate the breakdown of organic matter, enhancing nutrient availability in the soil for uptake by plants and other organisms. (9)

Role Of Trichoderma as a Decomposer in Nutrient Cycling

Nurture Growth Biofertilizer

Nurture Growth Biofertilizer is a microbial-based solution formulated with a consortium of beneficial microorganisms, including the powerful fungus Trichoderma. By incorporating Trichoderma into its formula, Nurture Growth offers farmers an easy and effective way to introduce this beneficial microbe into their fields. Trichoderma plays a crucial role in enhancing nutrient uptake and protecting plant roots from soil-borne pathogens, thereby providing crops with a strong, healthy start and improving overall growth and resilience.

Nurture Growth Biofertilizer offers growers a comprehensive solution designed to enhance soil biology, boost plant growth by improving nutrient uptake efficiency, strengthen plant resilience, and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers—all in a single application. Farmers who have adopted Nurture Growth frequently report noticeable improvements in crop quality and soil texture over time. Using Nurture Growth Biofertilizer reduces reliance on environmentally damaging synthetic fertilizers, promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to agriculture.

Conclusion

For healthy plant growth and development, adequate nutrition and protection from harmful pathogens are required. Beneficial microbes, such as Trichoderma, offer a sustainable solution by enhancing nutrient availability and acting as a natural defence against plant diseases. Trichoderma is widely used as a plant growth promoter and biocontrol agent due to its ability to rapidly colonize the rhizosphere, tolerate diverse environmental conditions, and produce a broad spectrum of antimicrobial compounds and enzymes. Its effectiveness is reflected in the fact that approximately 60% of commercially available biofungicides contain Trichoderma species. (11)

By naturally controlling diseases, it reduces crop losses and the need for fungicides. Improving nutrient and water uptake allows us to get more with less fertilizer and irrigation. With its biocontrol, biofertilizing, and biostimulant capabilities, Trichoderma embodies the kind of innovation we need – one that works with natural processes rather than against them. As you plan your next season, consider giving your crops a boost with a Trichoderma-enriched biofertilizer. The evidence from research and field usage is compelling: it’s an investment in your crop health and your soil’s long-term fertility. By harnessing allies like Trichoderma, we can move toward a greener, more resilient agricultural future in Canada and beyond.

Blogger Biography:

Dr. Ankita Garkoti is a Senior Science Officer at Nurture Growth Bio Fertilizer. She has over 9 years of experience in Agriculture research and extension. Her areas of specialization encompass Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Plant Protection, Organic farming, Biofertilizers, Organic Fertilizers, and Biocontrol agents.

She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and a master's degree in Botany with a specialization in Plant Pathology. Her doctoral research involved an in-depth study of lentil wilt and its management through various practices. She has extensive experience in organizing training programs on Organic and Natural farming techniques for farmers, agricultural growers, students and other stakeholders.