Crops and Diseases Controlled by Trichoderma Viride: A Complete Reference Guide
- Stanislav M.
- Feb 6
- 9 min read
Updated: Feb 9
Introduction
Trichoderma viride is one of the most versatile biocontrol agents available to modern agriculture. Unlike chemical fungicides that target specific diseases, T. viride provides broad-spectrum disease control across a remarkable range of crops and pathogens through its multiple antagonistic mechanisms—mycoparasitism, antibiosis, competition, and induced systemic resistance (ISR).
This guide provides farmers, agronomists, and agricultural professionals with a practical reference for which crops benefit from T. viride application and which diseases it effectively controls.
CROPS THAT BENEFIT FROM TRICHODERMA VIRIDE
Trichoderma viride has been successfully applied to virtually all major crop categories worldwide:
Vegetable Crops
Crop | Primary Disease Targets | Control Efficacy | Application Method |
|---|---|---|---|
Tomato | Fusarium wilt, root rot, damping-off, stem rot, Botrytis | 70-95% | Seed treatment, soil drench, foliar spray |
Chili/Pepper | Root rot, damping-off, anthracnose, stem rot | 75-95% | Seed treatment, soil application |
Cucumber | Damping-off, root rot, powdery mildew | 70-85% | Seed treatment, soil drench |
Eggplant | Damping-off, root rot, wilt | 75-90% | Seed treatment, soil application |
Cauliflower/Cabbage | Damping-off, root rot, leaf spots | 70-85% | Seed treatment, seedling drench |
Carrot/Radish | Root rot, Pythium damping-off | 75-90% | Seed treatment, soil incorporation |
Onion/Garlic | Root rot, white rot, basal rot | 65-80% | Seed/bulb treatment, soil application |
Potato | Pythium leak, Rhizoctonia black scurf | 70-85% | Seed piece treatment, soil incorporation |
Beans/Peas | Root rot, damping-off, wilt | 75-90% | Seed treatment, soil drench |
Cucurbits (Melon, Squash | Damping-off, root rot, powdery mildew | 70-85% | Seed treatment, foliar spray |
Cereal Crops
Crop | Primary Disease Targets | Control Efficacy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Rice | Sheath blight, root rot, damping-off | 65-85% | Grain yield +41% documented; grain weight +34% |
Wheat | Root rot, take-all, damping-off | 70-85% | Enhanced with Azotobacter combination |
Corn/Maize | Root rot, stalk rot, damping-off | 75-90% | Effective against Fusarium stalk rot |
Barley | Root rot, damping-off | 70-80% | Similar to wheat efficacy |
Sorghum | Root rot, damping-off, charcoal rot | 75-85% | Drought-stress tolerance improvement |
Millet | Root rot, damping-off | 70-80% | Drought resilience benefits |
Legume Crops
Crop | Primary Disease Targets | Control Efficacy | Special Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
Soybean | Root rot, Fusarium wilt, charcoal rot | 75-95% | +23.79% yield increase documented; nitrogen fixation enhancement |
Chickpea | Root rot, wilt, damping-off | 70-90% | Root rot reduction 70.9%; seed yield 1,239 kg/ha |
Lentil | Root rot, damping-off, wilt | 75-85% | Combined with N-fixing bacteria |
Groundnut | Root rot, stem rot, damping-off | 75-90% | Aflatoxin-producing fungal reduction |
Bean | Root rot, damping-off, anthracnose | 75-85% | Effective against diverse bean pathogens |
Pea | Root rot, damping-off, wilt | 70-85% | Spring and winter crop applications |
Oilseed Crops
Crop | Primary Disease Targets | Control Efficacy | Yield Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
Soybean | Root rot, Fusarium wilt, charcoal rot, damping-off | 75-95% | Yield +23.79% field-proven |
Mustard/Canola | Root rot, damping-off, white rust | 70-85% | Reduced chemical fungicide requirement |
Sunflower | Root rot, Sclerotinia (white mold), damping-off | 75-90% | Charcoal rot control effective |
Safflower | Root rot, damping-off, anthracnose | 75-85% | Seedling health improvement documented |
Cash/Commercial Crops
Crop | Primary Disease Targets | Control Efficacy | Application Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Cotton | Root rot, Fusarium wilt, damping-off | 75-95% | Major effectiveness; 100-1,000× pathogen reduction |
Turmeric | Leaf blotch, leaf spot, rhizome rot | 70-85% | Rhizome treatment critical |
Sugarcane | Red rot, root rot, damping-off | 70-85% | Sett treatment application |
Tobacco | Damping-off, root rot, black shank | 75-85% | Seedbed treatment highly effective |
Fruit & Tree Crops
Crop | Primary Disease Targets | Control Efficacy | Treatment Method |
|---|---|---|---|
Banana | Fusarium wilt (Panama disease), root rot | 60-80% | Soil incorporation around plants |
Avocado | Root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi) | 93.7% in vitro; 100% field | Soil drench; superior to other Trichoderma species |
Citrus | Root rot, damping-off, gummosis | 70-85% | Soil application at planting |
Apple | Root rot, damping-off, canker | 70-80% | Nursery seedling treatment |
Grape | Root rot, damping-off, powdery mildew | 70-85% | Soil application; foliar spray (PM) |
Strawberry | Damping-off, root rot, gray mold (Botrytis) | 75-90% | Field studies document efficacy |
Mango | Root rot, damping-off, anthracnose | 75-85% | Soil and foliar application |
Papaya | Root rot, damping-off, anthracnose | 75-85% | Seedling treatment effective |
Coconut | Bud rot, root rot, damping-off | 70-80% | Coconut-specific studies ongoing |
Spice Crops
Crop | Primary Disease Targets | Control Efficacy |
|---|---|---|
Black Pepper | Root rot, damping-off, leaf spots | 75-85% |
Cardamom | Leaf blotch, rhizome rot | 70-85% |
Cinnamon | Root rot, damping-off | 70-80% |
Clove | Damping-off, root rot, leaf spots | 75-85% |
Ornamental & Nursery Crops
Crop | Primary Disease Targets | Control Efficacy | Critical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
Roses | Damping-off, root rot, powdery mildew, gray mold | 75-90% | Nursery seedling protection essential |
Flowers (General) | Damping-off, root rot, foliar diseases | 70-85% | Early application critical |
Ornamental shrubs | Root rot, damping-off | 70-85% | Nursery production application |
Foliage plants | Root rot, damping-off, leaf spots | 75-85% | Potting soil amendment |
DISEASES CONTROLLED BY TRICHODERMA VIRIDE
ROOT AND STEM DISEASES (Most Dramatic Control)
Root Rot (Multiple Pathogens)
Causal Agents: Pythium, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Armillaria
Crops Affected: All vegetable, cereal, legume, and tree crops
Control Efficacy: 70-95%
Mechanism:
Direct mycoparasitism of root-rot pathogens
Enzymatic degradation of pathogenic fungal cell walls
Competition for nutrients in root zone
ISR priming of plant defenses
Application Method: Soil drench, seed treatment, soil incorporation
Field Evidence: Root Rot reduction of 70.9% documented in chickpea with T. viride
Damping-Off Disease
Causal Agents: Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium irregulare
Crops Affected: All crops (especially seedlings); highest economic impact in nurseries
Control Efficacy: 80-100% (highest control among all diseases)
Critical Application: Seed treatment or seedling drench
Why So Effective:
T. viride colonizes seed surface, preventing pathogen attachment
Pre-establishes in root zone before pathogenic spores germinate
Rapid mycelial growth creates physical exclusion
Early protection when seedlings most vulnerable
Evidence: 100% damping-off control documented across multiple crops
Commercial Importance: Damping-off prevention is major reason for T. viride use in nurseries
Fusarium Wilt
Causal Agent: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. (species-specific formae speciales)
Crops Affected: Tomato, banana, chickpea, cotton, soybean, watermelon, okra
Control Efficacy: 60-80%
Mechanism:
T. viride colonizes roots before Fusarium arrival
Antagonistic metabolites inhibit Fusarium spore germination
ISR priming prepares plant defense responses
Enzymatic degradation of Fusarium hyphae
Critical Note: Root colonization timing crucial; application before disease symptom appearance essential
Field Study - Tomato: "T. viride reduces Fusarium wilt severity while promoting plant growth and yield"
Charcoal Rot
Causal Agent: Macrophomina phaseolina (thermophilic pathogen)
Crops Affected: Soybean, corn, chickpea, sesame, sunflower
Control Efficacy: 70-85%
Special Importance: Thrives in warm/drought conditions where other pathogens limited
T. viride Advantage: Effective in hot conditions where chemical fungicides degrade
Stem Rot
Causal Agents: Fusarium, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, other stem-colonizing fungi
Crops Affected: Tomato, oilseeds, vegetables, pulses
Control Efficacy: 70-85%
Application: Foliar spray + soil application for maximum coverage
Wilt Diseases (Multiple Pathogens)
Causal Agents: Verticillium dahliae, Fusarium oxysporum, Vascular wilt pathogens
Crops Affected: Cotton, vegetables, fruits
Control Efficacy: 60-75%
Challenge: Vascular colonization by pathogen difficult to prevent completely
Strategy: Early season root colonization + ISR for best results
FOLIAR DISEASES (Above-Ground Control)
Powdery Mildew
Causal Agents: Erysiphe species, Uncinula species (biotrophic fungi)
Crops Affected: Grapes, vegetables (cucumber, squash), oilseeds, fruits, ornamentals
Control Efficacy: 60-75%
Mechanism:
T. viride produces chitinases degrading mildew cell walls
ISR enhances plant defense responses
Foliar spray directly targets pathogen
Application: Foliar spray every 10-14 days during growing season
Advantage Over Sulfur: No phytotoxicity risk; compatible with other inputs
Gray Mold (Botrytis Blight)
Causal Agent: Botrytis cinerea (polyphagous fungus attacking diverse crops)
Crops Affected: Strawberry, tomato, grapes, flowers, vegetables, ornamentals
Control Efficacy: 70-85%
Why Particularly Important: B. cinerea extremely difficult to control; shows fungicide resistance worldwide
T. viride Advantages:
Produces antibiotics active against Botrytis
Mycoparasitism directly attacks Botrytis hyphae
No resistance development documented
Compatible with other biocontrol agents
Application: Foliar spray + soil application (mycelial networks suppress infection sites)
Field Evidence: Strawberry and tomato Botrytis control well-documented
Leaf Spots (Multiple Pathogens)
Causal Agents: Various Colletotrichum, Alternaria, Cercospora, Drechslera species
Crops Affected: Vegetables, cereals, ornamentals, fruits
Control Efficacy: 65-80%
Mechanism: Enzymatic degradation of leaf spot pathogen hyphae; ISR enhancement
Application: Foliar spray preventative or early symptom appearance
Anthracnose
Causal Agent: Colletotrichum species (crop-specific)
Crops Affected: Chili, vegetables, fruits, coffee, cacao, beans
Control Efficacy: 60-75%
Special Note: Colletotrichum shows increasing fungicide resistance; T. viride valuable alternative
Application: Seed treatment + foliar spray for comprehensive control
Leaf Blights
Causal Agents: Bipolaris, Drechslera, Pyricularia, other foliar fungi
Crops Affected: Cereals (rice, wheat), vegetables, spices
Control Efficacy: 65-80%
Rice Sheath Blight Special Case: (Rhizoctonia solani)
Control efficacy: 65-80% (19% reduction with grain filling)
Grain weight increase: +34%
Grain yield increase: +41%
One of T. viride's most successful applications
SOIL-BORNE DISEASES
Nematode Root Damage
Causal Agents: Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne), Root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus)
Crops Affected: Vegetables, pulses, crops on nematode-infested soils
Control Efficacy: 60-75% (nematode suppression)
Mechanisms:
Direct toxin production against nematodes
Enzymatic degradation of nematode cuticle
Mechanical obstruction of nematode movement through soil
ISR priming of plant defenses
Special Value: Chemical nematicides increasingly restricted; T. viride ecological alternative
Application: Soil incorporation 2-4 weeks before planting
Sclerotinia (White Mold)
Causal Agent: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (produces hard-bodied sclerotia)
Crops Affected: Vegetables, oilseeds (canola), legumes, ornamentals
Control Efficacy: 70-85%
Challenge: Sclerotia extremely resistant to most control measures
T. viride Solution: Mycoparasitism directly attacks sclerotia; enzymatic degradation of sclerotia walls
Application: Soil incorporation; field residue management
DISEASE CONTROL BY CROP TYPE - SUMMARY TABLE
Crop Type | Most Effective Diseases | Control Efficacy | Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|
Vegetables | Damping-off, root rot, wilt | 80-95% | Seed treatment + soil |
Cereals | Damping-off, sheath blight, root rot | 65-85% | Seed treatment |
Legumes | Root rot, wilt, charcoal rot | 70-95% | Seed + soil |
Oilseeds | Charcoal rot, root rot, wilt | 75-90% | Soil + seed |
Cotton | Root rot, wilt, damping-off | 75-95% | Soil drench |
Fruits | Root rot, wilt, damping-off | 60-85% | Soil incorporation |
Spices | Root rot, leaf blotch | 70-85% | Seed + soil |
Ornamentals | Damping-off, root rot, powdery mildew | 75-90% | Seedling drench |
COMPARATIVE DISEASE CONTROL EFFICACY
High-Efficacy Control (80%+)
Damping-off: 80-100% ⭐⭐⭐Nursery root rot: 80-95% ⭐⭐⭐Botrytis gray mold: 70-85% ⭐⭐⭐Rhizoctonia root rot: 75-95% ⭐⭐⭐
Moderate-to-High Efficacy (70-80%)
Fusarium wilt: 60-80% ⭐⭐Rice sheath blight: 65-80% (41% yield increase!) ⭐⭐⭐Charcoal rot: 70-85% ⭐⭐Pythium root rot: 70-90% ⭐⭐⭐
Moderate Efficacy (60-75%)
Powdery mildew: 60-75% ⭐⭐Nematode suppression: 60-75% ⭐⭐Leaf spots: 65-80% ⭐⭐Wilt diseases: 60-75% ⭐⭐
TRICHODERMA VIRIDE VS. CHEMICAL FUNGICIDES: COMPARATIVE EFFICACY
Soybean Disease Control Study
Treatment | Disease Index | Control Efficacy | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
Untreated control | 28.89-44.44% | Baseline | None |
T. viride | 15.56-20.00% | ~57% control | +23.79% yield, growth promotion |
Chemical fungicide | 13.33-17.78% | ~60% control | No growth promotion, chemical residue |
Conclusion | No statistical difference | T. viride equivalent | T. viride superior overall value |
GEOGRAPHIC DISEASE CONTROL VALIDATION
T. viride Efficacy Documented In:
Tropical Regions:
Banana Fusarium wilt (Philippines, India, Central America)
Cacao anthracnose (West Africa, Indonesia)
Coffee leaf rust (East Africa)
Chili/pepper diseases (Southeast Asia, India)
Temperate Regions:
Wheat take-all (Europe, North America)
Grape powdery mildew (Europe, California)
Apple scab and root rot (North America, Europe)
Strawberry gray mold (Global)
Semi-Arid Regions:
Soybean charcoal rot (Brazil, USA)
Chickpea root rot (India, Middle East)
Sorghum root rot (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Subtropical Regions:
Tomato Fusarium wilt (Mediterranean, Asia)
Cotton root rot (India, Pakistan, USA)
Rice sheath blight (Asia)
DISEASES NOT CONTROLLED (And Why)
Important Limitations:
Viral Diseases: T. viride has no effect on viruses (different mechanism of action)
Application: Use virus-resistant varieties + vector control
Bacterial Diseases: Limited/no effect on bacterial pathogens
Exception: Some antibiotics produced show limited bacterial activity
Obligate Biotrophic Fungi (Some):
Rust fungi (limited control)
Mildews (partial control only, 60-75%)
Mycoplasma/Phytoplasma Diseases: No effect (different pathogen type)
Nutrient Deficiencies: T. viride improves nutrient availability but cannot create nutrients where lacking
APPLICATION GUIDE BY DISEASE TYPE
For Root Diseases (Most Effective)
Timing: Pre-plant or at planting
Method: Soil incorporation, seed treatment, soil drench
Dosage: 2.5 kg/hectare
Expected Result: 70-95% disease reduction
For Damping-Off (Highest Control)
Timing: Seed treatment before planting
Method: Seed coating or seedling drench
Dosage: 0.5-1g per kg seed
Expected Result: 80-100% prevention
For Foliar Diseases (Preventative)
Timing: Start before symptom appearance
Method: Foliar spray, every 10-14 days
Dosage: 2.5 kg/hectare in 500-1000 L water
Expected Result: 60-85% control
For Multiple Disease Pressure
Timing: Multi-seasonal application
Method: Seed treatment + soil application + foliar spray
Dosage: Integrated (0.5-2.5 kg/hectare total)
Expected Result: Comprehensive control 70-95%
CROPS PARTICULARLY BENEFITED (Ranked)
Tier 1: Exceptional Response (80%+ control + growth promotion)
Chickpea - Root rot reduction 70.9%, yield improvement
Soybean - Yield +23.79%, disease control 60-80%
Rice - Grain yield +41%, disease control 80%+
Tomato - Fusarium wilt + growth promotion
Cotton - Root rot control 75-95%, yield improvement
Tier 2: Excellent Response (70-80% control, proven)
Strawberry - Botrytis control, yield improvement
Chili/Pepper - Multi-disease control
Avocado - Root rot 93.7% control
Banana - Fusarium wilt 60-80%
Wheat - Root rot, take-all control
Tier 3: Very Good Response (65-75% control)
Vegetables (general)
Oilseeds (mustard, sunflower, safflower)
Legumes (lentil, bean, pea)
Tree crops (apple, citrus, mango)
Spices (turmeric, black pepper, cardamom)
QUICK REFERENCE: DISEASE LOOKUP TABLE
Need to control a specific disease? Find it here:
Disease | Primary Pathogen | Affected Crops | T. viride Control | Application Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Damping-off | Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium | All crops | 80-100% ⭐⭐⭐ | Seed treatment |
Root rot | Multiple fungi | All crops | 70-95% ⭐⭐⭐ | Soil drench |
Fusarium wilt | Fusarium oxysporum | Tomato, banana, cotton | 60-80% ⭐⭐ | Soil + root colonization |
Charcoal rot | Macrophomina phaseolina | Soybean, corn, chickpea | 70-85% ⭐⭐ | Soil application |
Botrytis (gray mold) | Botrytis cinerea | Strawberry, tomato, grapes | 70-85% ⭐⭐⭐ | Foliar spray |
Powdery mildew | Erysiphe, Uncinula | Grape, vegetables | 60-75% ⭐⭐ | Foliar spray |
Sheath blight (rice) | Rhizoctonia solani | Rice | 65-80% + +41% yield | Soil application |
Anthracnose | Colletotrichum | Chili, vegetables, fruits | 60-75% ⭐⭐ | Seed + foliar |
Root-knot nematode | Meloidogyne | Vegetables, pulses | 60-75% ⭐⭐ | Soil incorporation |
White mold | Sclerotinia sclerotiorum | Vegetables, oilseeds | 70-85% ⭐⭐ | Soil incorporation |
FACT SHEET: TRICHODERMA VIRIDE DISEASE CONTROL
Key Statistics:
✅ 12+ major crop types successfully treated
✅ 20+ disease pathogens controlled
✅ 70-95% average control efficacy across diseases
✅ 80-100% damping-off control (highest)
✅ 60-75% foliar disease control (preventative)
✅ Zero resistance documented in 40+ years use
✅ Dual benefits: Disease control + growth promotion
Disease Control Categories:
Root/stem diseases: 70-95% efficacy (most effective)
Soil-borne pathogens: 70-90% efficacy (highly effective)
Foliar diseases: 60-85% efficacy (preventative emphasis)
Nematodes: 60-75% suppression (mechanical + biochemical)
No Control For:
Viral diseases (different mechanism)
Bacterial pathogens (limited activity)
Nutrient deficiencies (can't create missing elements)
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BEST RESULTS
Apply Early: Preventative application more effective than curative
Use Multi-Barrier: Combine seed treatment + soil + foliar for maximum protection
Maintain Soil Health: Organic matter enhances T. viride establishment
Optimal Conditions: Soil moisture 60-80% field capacity, pH 6.0-8.0
Integrate Practices: Crop rotation + resistant varieties + T. viride = comprehensive strategy
Compatibility: Safe with most agrochemicals; maintain 4-5 day separation from fungicides
CONCLUSION
Trichoderma viride provides exceptional broad-spectrum disease control across the full spectrum of agricultural crops. From high-value tree crops to staple cereals and pulses, T. viride offers farmers a scientifically-validated, economically-attractive, environmentally-sustainable solution for the diseases that threaten their productivity.
With control efficacy ranging from 60-100% depending on disease and crop, combined with simultaneous plant growth promotion and soil health enhancement, T. viride represents the optimal choice for modern sustainable agriculture.
Every farmer can benefit from incorporating Trichoderma viride into their disease management strategy.
Key Takeaway
Trichoderma viride controls 70-95% of major crop diseases across all major agricultural crops, with highest efficacy (80-100%) against damping-off and root rot diseases. No other single biocontrol agent matches this breadth of application or consistency of results.