Fungi as Biocontrol Agents | Mycology

In this article we will discuss about Fungi as Biocontrol Agents

The genera of fungi commonly used for biological control are Trichoderma, Gliocladium, Coniothyrium, Penicillium, Myrothecium, Chaetomium and Laerisaria. Gliocladium is a saprophytic fungus found in nearly all soils and is relatively easy to grow.

Examples of the use of specific fungal species:

Clonostachys rosea

The fungus Clonostachys rosea have been found to be effective against several plant diseases. Researchers are now investigating how C. rosea can be used against the pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum, which causes diseases in wheat and barley.

Fungal diseases are a serious problem in nurseries and fungicides are widely used to prevent infections. In Sweden, gray mold is the most common pathogen in nurseries and can cause damage to plants throughout the growing season as well as during transport and storage. Researchers are now assessing how to replace regular fungicides with C. rosea.

Phlebiopsis gigantea

P. gigantea is a natural is a natural competitor to root rot fungi of the genera Heterobasidion and is therefore used in the biofungicide Rotstop®. Rotstop® contains spores of P. gigantea and is applied to the stump surface to prevent infection of P. gigantea.