Beneficial fungus benefit soil and plants
Farmers spend a lot of time perfecting equipment: planting, spraying, and harvesting. However, it’s the microbes and the soil biology that contribute greatly to final yield. Understanding that biology is becoming even more important in modern agriculture.
A key fungal microbe called Trichoderma (Tri) provides a lot of soil and plant benefits. Tri is a genus of filamentous, soil-dwelling fungi widely found in the rhizosphere (root zone) and decaying organic matter. It is non-pathogenic to plants and is valued in agriculture and horticulture for its beneficial relationship with plants, disease and pathogen control, and nutrient recycling. Tri stimulates beneficial microbial populations by producing enzymes that break down complex organic matter and secretes compounds that inhibit pathogens while promoting beneficial bacteria.
Trichoderma (Tri) also enhance nutrient cycling by solubilizing insoluble nutrients like phosphorus, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc by secreting organic acids and iron binding molecules (siderophores), making them more available to plants. By promoting organic matter decomposition and cellulose (hard to digest plant cell walls), Tri contributes to good soil structure and build-up of soil organic matter, improving water retention and aeration.
Trichoderma is known to acts as a biological control agent against soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, and Phytophthora, sclerotinia (soybean white mold), Sudden Death in soybeans, and soybean cyst nematodes; reducing root diseases and maintaining a healthier soil ecosystem. These diseases rob bushels of crop from farmers every year. Promoting Tri in healthy soils is a great way to enhance yields.
How do Trichoderma suppress disease? Tri coils around pathogens and secretes enzymes like chitinase to break down cell walls, killing pathogens before they infect root. They also secrete organic acids which lowers soil pH right around the plant root in the rhizosphere improving plant nutrient uptake efficiency. Tri also promote root growth by producing phytohormone-like compounds (auxin hormone or growth promoting hormone) that promotes lateral root development, increasing root surface area for water and nutrient absorption. This enhances plant resilience to drought by improving water uptake, nutrient absorption, and activates defense mechanisms against pathogens and diseases.
How can farmers use Trichoderma (Tri) on the farm? Tri can be applied as seed treatments to protect young plants from early-stage pathogens. Some greenhouses use soil drenching to colonize the rhizosphere and suppress soil-borne diseases. Tri live in compost or biofertilizer inoculants to improve soil microbial balance and nutrient cycling.
There are numerous types of Trichoderma including Tri harzianum which is a fast-growing beneficial soil fungi found on roots and decaying organic matter. Tri harzinum suppresses and consumes most plant fungal diseases (Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Pythium, Phytophthora, Soybean Cyst Nematode, and Sclerotinia (white mold)). It affects root diseases but also some foliar diseases and enhances root absorption and solubilizes many minerals including phosphorus (P).
Several other Trichoderma species improve soil health and plant performance, making them valuable in sustainable agriculture. Tri asahii are effective against Fusarium and Pythium and enhances nutrient uptake and plant growth. Tri viride are known for its ability to solubilize P and other nutrients, improving soil fertility. Tri koningii are good at suppressing pathogens but also stimulate plant defense responses to parasites and pathogens. Tri atroviride are good at decomposing cellulose to degrade pathogen cell walls and improve drought tolerance. Tri reesei are really good at breaking down cellulose for organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. Cellulose and lignin are what is in corn stalks and makes them hard to decompose. Tri greatly help farmers break down that tough crop residue over the fall and winter so that it improves spring planting.
Trichoderma (Tri) have many soil health benefits. Tri enhances microbial diversity by stimulating beneficial bacteria and promotes a balanced soil microbial community. Tri improves nutrient cycling by secreting organic acids to solubilize phosphorus, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc, making them plant-available. Tri improves soil structure by decomposing organic matter and stimulating microbial activity, and improved water retention. Tri also suppresses pathogens by competing for nutrients and space and directly attacks pathogens.
Tri also benefit plants directly. Tri stimulates roots by encouraging root elongation and branching, improving water and nutrient uptake. Tri also produces growth hormones that signal plant growth. As a biocontrol agent, Tri reduces reliance on chemical pesticides by suppressing a wide range of soil-borne diseases.
Species like Tri. harzianum, Tri. asahii, Tri. viride, Tri. koningii, Tri. atroviride, and Tri. reesei are among the most beneficial fungus microbes for soil health and plant growth. They improve soil fertility, suppress pathogens, and enhance plant resilience, making them key tools in sustainable farming systems. So not all fungus are bad. Beneficial fungus include Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi AMF) and Trichoderma fungus which offer farmers many soil and plant benefits.