Genetics of Trichoderma-plant-pathogen Interactions

The plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) Trichoderma spp. are commonly employed as biofertilizers and bio-fungicides in agriculture. The increasing importance of Trichoderma spp. necessitates a better understanding of its interactions with plants and pathogens. Trichoderma -mediated biological control in plants against various pathogens is thought to be most effective through mycoparasitism, antibiosis, competitive exclusion, and the induction of plant defense. Understanding the genetic basis and molecular mechanism of these processes would aid in developing strains with improved biocontrol capabilities. This article discusses the contemporary comprehension of the genetics of interactions of Trichoderma spp. with various plants and phytopathogens.