Biological Nature and Triple Antagonistic Mechanism
Trichoderma viride is a naturally occurring beneficial soil saprophyte that suppresses soil-borne fungal diseases through three distinct ecological mechanisms: mycoparasitism, antibiosis, and spatial competition.
During mycoparasitism, Trichoderma hyphae coil tightly around pathogenic fungi, secreting lytic enzymes (chitinases, beta-1,3-glucanases, and cellulases) that dissolve pathogen cell walls. In antibiosis, it produces antifungal antibiotics like viridin and trichodermin, while rapidly outcompeting pathogens for root-zone carbon and space.
- Mycoparasitism: Direct coiling around pathogen hyphae and enzymatic cell wall dissolution.
- Antibiosis: Secretion of natural antifungal compounds that suppress pathogen spore germination.
- Plant Growth Promotion: Colonizes root systems, solubilizes soil phosphorus, and enhances systemic resistance (ISR).
Target Pathogens and Major Agricultural Crops
Trichoderma viride is officially registered under CIBRC bio-pesticide standards for managing soil-borne and seed-borne disease complexes across pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, and plantation crops.
It effectively controls damping-off in vegetable nurseries, collar rot and root rot in pulses (chickpea, pigeon pea), vascular wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) in cotton and tomato, and rhizome rot in ginger and turmeric.
- Damping-Off & Seedling Rot: Shields tender vegetable seedlings in nurseries against Pythium and Rhizoctonia.
- Vascular Wilt Suppression: Prevents Fusarium mycelium from invading vascular xylem bundles.
- Rhizome Rot Care: Protects ginger, turmeric, and banana sets from soil-borne soft rot.
Application Methods: Seed, Soil and Enrichment
Trichoderma viride can be applied as a dry seed treatment, a seedling root dip, or incorporated into soil. For soil application, enrich well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) or vermicompost with Trichoderma culture, maintaining moisture under shade for 7 to 10 days before field incorporation.
Do not mix Trichoderma viride directly with chemical fungicides, as synthetic fungicidal chemicals will kill the beneficial living fungal spores. Allow a minimum gap of 10 to 14 days between chemical and bio-fungicide applications.
- Seed Treatment Protocol: Coat seeds thoroughly using jaggery or starch water slurry before sowing.
- FYM Enrichment: Multiply spores in organic compost under shade before broadcasting across furrows.
- Chemical Incompatibility: Keep separate from chemical fungicides to preserve living microbial viability.
Official source
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Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is Trichoderma viride?
Trichoderma viride is a beneficial soil-dwelling antagonistic fungus used as a bio-fungicide to control soil-borne plant diseases.
How does Trichoderma kill harmful fungal pathogens?
It coils around pathogen hyphae, secretes enzymes (chitinases and glucanases) that dissolve pathogen cell walls, and outcompetes them for nutrients.
Can Trichoderma viride be mixed with chemical fungicides?
No, chemical fungicides will destroy the beneficial living Trichoderma spores; maintain at least 10 to 14 days gap between applications.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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