Role of Trichoderma in Plant Growth Promotion

Trichoderma species have been one of the vastly widespread fungi applied widely in agriculture. Its usages have documented a significant success rate in enhancing plant growth. Understanding of the mechanisms performed by Trichoderma species could further be researched to develop its potential as a productive growth promoter. The Trichoderma ability to boost plant growth was primarily based on the activation of either an individual or numerous mechanisms. It is perceived that the Trichoderma-based growth promoter mechanisms mainly depend on the reduction of plant disease severity, enhancement of photosynthetic performance, improvisation in stomatal conductance, enhancement of nutrient uptake, postponement of senescence, mediation of drought tolerance, and secretion of phytohormones. These mechanisms may function either directly or indirectly against host plants. This chapter reviews the current updates on disseminated research discoveries on mechanisms employed by Trichoderma as growth promoter of various plants including herbaceous and non-herbaceous plant.