# Fungi of the _Trichoderma_ Genus: Future Perspectives of Benefits in Sustainable Agriculture
## 7 Fungicides and Plant Growth Stimulants Based on Fungi of the Genus _Trichoderma_
### Advantages of Using Plant Protection Products Based on Fungi of the Genus Trichoderma  
Biopesticides based on _Trichoderma_ sp. fungi and their secondary metabolites show very high specificity and selectivity, which means that they reduce strictly defined populations of pathogens and pests, and they do not eliminate crops and beneficial organisms [221]. They are non-toxic and non-pathogenic [222] to pollinators, farmers, and people living close to fields where these microorganisms are applied [223; 224; 225]. Compared to synthetic pesticides, biological agents are fully biodegradable, rapidly decompose, and do not accumulate in ecosystems [221; 225; 226]. According to [PERSON] et al. [224], the relatively short half-life of the microorganisms and the harmless byproducts mean that microbial biopesticides have limited or no requirements in terms of time to harvest and can be used just before harvest. The complex and diverse indirect and direct mechanisms of action of _Trichoderma_ sp. in combating a wide range of fungal plant pathogens (antibiosis, mycop Parasitism, competition for space and nutrients) and stimulating plant growth (modification of the root system, increasing nutrient availability, induction of plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stress) mean that crop pests have not developed resistance to commercially available biopreparations [224]. Therefore, _Trichoderma_ sp.-based agents can be used to eliminate pathogens that have previously become resistant to chemical pesticides [209]. The easy process of isolation of _Trichoderma_ sp. fungi and the possibility of their rapid multiplication on basic microbiological substrates, as well as waste raw materials (e.g., sugar molasses) in large industrial bioreactors, translates into low production costs of biological plant protection products [209]. In turn, the wide tolerance to environmental factors and the prevalence of these microorganisms make preparations based on these fungi suitable for use in any ecosystem and climatic zone in the world [222]. Due to their low toxicity and the natural origin of microorganisms and their secondary metabolites, biopesticides are classified as 'low-risk active substances' which have a longer authorization period [223]. In addition, microbiological bioproducts may be used in developing organic farming and in sensitive areas where the use of chemical pesticides has been banned [209; 222; 224]. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline \hline
**Strain of Trichoderma** & \begin{tabular}{c} **Name of Product** \\ **and Manufacturer** \\ \end{tabular} & **Crops** & **Target Pathogens** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{_Trichoderma atroviride_ strain SC1 (Bi-PA NV/SA)} & \multirow{4}{*}{\begin{tabular}{c} _Diplodia seriata_ \\ _Eutypa lata_ \\ tomato \\ \end{tabular} } & \multirow{4}{*}{\begin{tabular}{c} _Eutypa lata_ \\ _Phaeocarcinomaium aleophilium_ \\ _Phaeomoniella chlamudospora_ \\ \end{tabular} } \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{_Trichoderma gamsii_ strain ICC080 & **REMEDIER** (Isagro) & tomato & tomato & _Phythm_ spp. \\  & & & _Rhizoctonia_ spp. \\  & & & _Vertilillium_ spp. \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{_Trichoderma gamsii_ strain ICC080 (Isagro) & \multirow{4}{*}{\
\begin{tabular}{c} _REMEDIER_ \\ _Isagro_ \\ \end{tabular} } & \multirow{4}{*}{
\begin{tabular}{c} _Arnillaria_ spp. \\ _Fusarium_ spp. \\ _Fluoma_ spp. \\ _Fusarium_ spp. \\ _Phae_ spp. \\ _Phytophthora_ spp. \\ _Pythium_ spp. \\ _Pythium_ spp. \\ _Rosellinia_ spp. \\ _Rhizoctonia_ spp. \\ _Verticillium_ spp. \\ _Sclerotinin_ spp. \\ _Sclerotinin_ spp. \\ _Sclerotinin_ volfsii_ \\ \end{tabular} } \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 5: Cont. Problems of Introducing Biological Plant Protection Products Based on Trichoderma sp. to the Commercial Market  
Despite continuous research, many plant protection products based on biological agents are not authorized for commercialization on a global scale.