About Trichoderma viride Pers.
Trichoderma viride Pers. is both a fungus and a biofungicide. It is used for seed and soil treatment to suppress various diseases caused by fungal pathogens. Its fungicidal activity makes it useful as a biological control against plant pathogenic fungi. It has been confirmed to provide protection against pathogens including Rhizoctonia, Pythium, and Armillaria. It occurs naturally in soil, and works effectively as a seed dressing to control seed and soil-borne diseases, specifically Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Fusarium species. When applied alongside seed, it colonizes the seed surface, kills pathogens present on the seed cuticle, and also provides protection against soil-borne pathogens. A closely related species, Trichoderma reesei, is used to produce stonewashed jeans. Cellulase produced by this fungus partially degrades cotton fabric in certain areas, softening the material and giving the jeans an appearance similar to that achieved by stone washing.
