Question

What is trichoderma? Give one application of trichoderma as an effective biocontrol agent.

Hint:

Trichoderma is a soil fungus that fights other, disease-causing fungi around plant roots.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Trichoderma is a genus of free-living fungi that is very common in the root ecosystem of plants, meaning it naturally lives in and around plant roots and soil.

Step 2: State why it matters biologically.
Because it can attack and control other, harmful fungi that cause plant disease, Trichoderma is classed as a biocontrol agent, a living organism used to fight pests or pathogens instead of a chemical pesticide.

Step 3: Give a specific application.
Trichoderma species are used to control several plant pathogens, including species that cause root rot disease in various crop plants (such as those caused by Pythium and Fusarium), protecting the crop without needing chemical fungicides.

Final Answer:
Trichoderma is a soil-dwelling fungus used as a biocontrol agent, commonly applied to protect crops from root rot caused by other pathogenic fungi.