Meet the editors

Dr. Mohammad Manjur Shah obtained his PhD in Zoology in 2003 from Aligarh Muslim University. He has presented his research findings at several conferences and published articles in various international journals. He completed two post-doctoral fellowships under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, before becoming a Senior Assistant Professor at Northwest University, Kano, Nigeria, in 2015. Apart from the

present book, he has edited four other volumes published by IntechOpen. He is also a reviewer for several journals of international repute.

Dr. Umar Sharif obtained an MSc and PhD from Byero University, Kano, Nigeria. Currently, he is head of the Department of Biological Sciences at Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, Nigeria. Since 1990, Dr. Sharif has been actively involved in teaching as well as various research activities. He has good expertise in the fields of pathology and biology, and is a member of various scientific societies in Nigeria. He has presented his research findings

at various conferences and has published papers in journals of international repute.

Dr. Tijjani Rufai Buhari obtained a PhD from the Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2012. At present, he is the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science, Yusuf Maitama Sule University. Since 2007, he has been engaged in teaching and research. His areas of interest include developmental biology, embryology, fisheries and aquaculture, marine biology, environmental microbiology, genetics, general biology, food and nutrition, and food sanitation. In ad-

dition to publishing many papers in journals of international repute, Dr. Buhari has attended and presented at several conferences, seminars, and workshops.

Contents

**Section 1**

**Section 2**

Environmental Application

*by Snježana Topolovec-Pintarić*

*and Tâmara P. Morais*

Bio-Inoculants

*and Porfirio Gutierrez-Martinez*

*by Syed Ali Nusaibah and Habu Musa*

*by Mohammad Manjur Shah and Hamisu Afiya*

**Preface III**

Identification of Trichoderma Species **1**

**Chapter 1 3**

**Chapter 2 15**

Trichoderma as Biological Control Agent **37**

**Chapter 3 39**

**Chapter 4 63**

**Chapter 5 79**

**Chapter 6 91**

Introductory Chapter: Identification and Isolation of *Trichoderma* spp. - Their Significance in Agriculture, Human Health, Industrial and

*Trichoderma*: Invisible Partner for Visible Impact on Agriculture

*Trichoderma* as a Biocontrol Agent against *Sclerotinia* Stem Rot or

*by Fernando C. Juliatti, Anakely A. Rezende, Breno Cezar Marinho Juliatti* 

A Review Study on the Postharvest Decay Control of Fruit by *Trichoderma by Ramsés González-Estrada, Francisco Blancas-Benítez, Beatriz Montaño-Leyva, Cristina Moreno-Hernández, Luz Del Carmen Romero-Islas, Jovita Romero-Islas,* 

*Rosa Avila-Peña, Anelsy Ramos-Guerrero, Angel Fonseca-Cantabrana* 

A Review Report on the Mechanism of *Trichoderma* spp. as Biological Control Agent of the Basal Stem Rot (BSR) Disease of *Elaeis guineensis*

and Development of *Abroma augusta* L. Seedlings with Other Microbial

*by Vipin Parkash, Akshita Gaur, Rahul Agnihotri and Ashok Aggarwal*

*Trichoderma harzianum* Rifai: A Beneficial Fungus for Growth

White Mold on Soybeans in Brazil: Usage and Technology

## Contents


Preface

*Trichoderma* is a genus of fungi present in all soils where they are the most prevalent culturable fungi. They are the most successful biofungicides used in today's agriculture. *Trichoderma* species are non-pathogenic fungi, often found in soil as well as in association with plants. These green-colored fungi are well known for their antifungal and plant-growth-stimulating effects. The species of *Trichoderma* spp. is the most widely used fungus in many areas, including medical, agricultural and industrial applications. This book provides comprehensive information on *Trichoderma* with chapters covering such topics as: taxonomic status, biodiversity, antagonistic properties, application as a bio-control agent, mechanism of bio-control, molecular basis of bio-control, biochemical analysis, effective and up-to-date culture methods, screening of various strains, genetic engineering for enhanced effectiveness in the bio-control application, and the interaction between fungus, plant, and animal.

The book was edited by collaborating expert opinion in the field from different authors from different countries. It consists of six chapters organized into two sections. Section I focuses mainly on identification of *Trichoderma* species, and Section II is concerned with *Trichoderma* as a biological control agent. The book is well illustrated for easy understanding of the important information being discussed.

The editors appreciate all the staff at IntechOpen for making this book project suc-

**Dr. Mohammad Manjur Shah** Yusuf Maitama Sule University,

Yusuf Maitama Sule University,

**Dr. Umar Sharif and Dr. Tijjani Rufai Buhari**

Kano, Nigeria

Kano, Nigeria

cessful. We hope readers will find this volume helpful and useful.
