Trichoderma: a multipurpose, plant-beneficial microorganism for eco-sustainable agriculture

ABSTRACT _Trichoderma_ is a cosmopolitan and opportunistic ascomycete fungal genus including species that are of interest to agriculture as direct biological control agents of

phytopathogens. _Trichoderma_ utilizes direct antagonism and competition, particularly in the rhizosphere, where it modulates the composition of and interactions with other microorganisms.

In its colonization of plants, on the roots or as an endophyte, _Trichoderma_ has evolved the capacity to communicate with the plant and produce numerous multifaceted benefits to its host.

The intricacy of this plant–microorganism association has stimulated a marked interest in research on _Trichoderma_, ranging from its capacity as a plant growth promoter to its ability to

prime local and systemic defence responses against biotic and abiotic stresses and to activate transcriptional memory affecting plant responses to future stresses. This Review discusses the

ecophysiology and diversity of _Trichoderma_ and the complexity of its relationships in the agroecosystem, highlighting its potential as a direct and indirect biological control agent,

biostimulant and biofertilizer, which are useful multipurpose properties for agricultural applications. We also highlight how the present legislative framework might accommodate the

demonstrated evidence of _Trichoderma_ proficiency as a plant-beneficial microorganism contributing towards eco-sustainable agriculture. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This

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MYCOBIOME FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AMID GLOBAL CHANGE Article Open access 13 August 2024 HARNESSING THE PLANT MICROBIOME FOR SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTION Article 15 August 2024 PLANT

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_Trichoderma_ in agriculture by I. Chet and G. E. Harman that has served as the basis for our understanding of _Trichoderma_ today. S.L.W. and M.L. gratefully acknowledge research funding

from the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program — ECOSTACK (grant agreement no. 773554), the Ministry of University and Research Projects of National Relevance — PRIN

2017 PROSPECT (grant number 2017JLN833), and involvement in the Ministry of University and Research for National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), National Research Center for

Agricultural Technologies (AGRITECH — D.D. n.1032, 17/06/2022) and National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC — D.D. n.1034, 17/06/2022). S.L.W. wishes to recognize her association with the

National Research Council, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Portici, Italy, the Task Force on Microbiome Studies, and the BAT Center-Interuniversity Center for Studies on

Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy; and thank L. Gioia, G. Manganiello, E. Comite, A. Pironti, S. Lanzuise and M. Ranesi for the

technical assistance in the preparation of the manuscript. R.H. and E.M. acknowledge the support of grants co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and the governments

of Spain (MCIN/AEI PDI-2021-126575OB-I00) and Castile and Leon (SA094P20, Escalera de Excelencia CLU-2018-04 and IR2020-1-USAL05). AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Department of

Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy Sheridan L. Woo * Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Institute for Agribiotechnology Research (CIALE), University of

Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain Rosa Hermosa & Enrique Monte * Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy Matteo Lorito Authors * Sheridan L. Woo

View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Rosa Hermosa View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar *

Matteo Lorito View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Enrique Monte View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed 

Google Scholar CONTRIBUTIONS S.L.W. and M.L. conceptualized the idea of this manuscript. S.L.W. and R.H. collected data, designed the content for the article, designed figures and drafted

the tables. S.L.W., R.H., M.L. and E.M. contributed substantially to the discussion of the content. S.L.W. and E.M. wrote the article. All authors reviewed and edited the final version of

the draft and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to Sheridan L. Woo. ETHICS DECLARATIONS COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no

competing interests. PEER REVIEW PEER REVIEW INFORMATION _Nature Reviews Microbiology_ thanks Alfredo Herrera-Estrella, Qirong Shen and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their

contribution to the peer review of this work. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PUBLISHER’S NOTE Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional

affiliations. RELATED LINKS INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON TRICHODERMA TAXONOMY: www.trichoderma.info SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION GLOSSARY * Agroecosystem An ecosystem

subjected to anthropological activities that are finalized in agricultural production involving the continuous manipulation of biotic and abiotic components to obtain maximum yields and

quality of the produce such as food, textile and biofuel plant products, and animal goods. * Biofertilizers Products that contain living organisms that promote plant growth by increasing the

supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. * Biological control agent (BCA). A natural enemy or antagonistic organism used in plant protection that can inhibit or

eliminate harmful organisms and their negative effects through direct or indirect mechanisms of parasitism, antibiosis, competition or induced plant defence. * Bioprotectants Biological

tools providing the protection of plants or the environment from biotic and/or abiotic stress by methods of biocontrol or bioremediation. * Biostimulant A biological product used to improve

plant nutrient use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, quality traits or availability of confined nutrients in the soil by using components of microbial or non-microbial origins. *

Eco-sustainable agriculture A system that generates increasing prosperity by reducing chemical inputs and implementing alternative methods to minimize negative impacts to the environment,

biodiversity, and human and animal health, thus permitting the renewal of natural resources. * Plant protection products (PPPs). Products consisting of an approved active substance (chemical

or biological) with the capacity to protect plants or plant products against harmful organisms, that positively influence the life processes of plants, preserve plant products, destroy

undesired plants or parts of plants, or control or prevent undesired growth of plants. * Priming An adaptive strategy improving plant defence capacity whereby an initial stimulus activates

the physiological, transcriptional, metabolic and epigenetic mechanisms that enable the plant to respond more rapidly and/or efficiently to subsequent exposure to biotic or abiotic stress.

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permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Woo, S.L., Hermosa, R., Lorito, M. _et al._ _Trichoderma_: a multipurpose, plant-beneficial microorganism for eco-sustainable agriculture.

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