Abstract

MARTINEZ, B; INFANTE, Danay  and  REYES, Yusimy. Trichoderma spp. and their role in the control of crop pests. Rev. Protección Veg. [online]. 2013, vol.28, n.1, pp. 1-11. ISSN 1010-2752.

The objective of this work was to summarize the most important theoretical and practical aspects of the genus Trichoderma Persoon and the role as a biological control agent of fungi and nematodes, as well as its action as an inductor of resistance in plants and a stimulator of growth, among others. However, the taxonomic position of the species is difficult to define when using only morphological aspects, and, currently molecular tools are also used, which contribute to the specific identification. In general, Trichoderma species grow quickly, produce abundant conidia and have wide range of enzymes. This allows them to live in almost all the agricultural soils and in other environments, showing their great ecological plasticity. Trichoderma is a soil fungus, and so it has been framed as a biological control of soil-borne pathogens; however its action against fungi causing leaf diseases has been shown. Trichoderma attributes are more dependent on the strain that on the species, because strains of the same species can have different action modes. This reinforces the necessity of a correct selection of the isolates depending on the targets and environments to get consistent results under field conditions.

Keywords : biological control; pest management; pesticide compatibility.

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