Trichoderma Strains – Antagonists of Plant Pathogenic Micromycetes

Species of the genus Trichoderma are known as the producers of many biologically active substances, in particular, enzymes that have found their practical application in many industries. In addition, the active Trichoderma strains are used as biological control agents of plant pathogenic micromycetes. Trichoderma strains are able to exhibit antagonistic properties against plant pathogens very effectively due to their peculiarities: high growth rate; synthesis of chitinolytic enzymes and secondary metabolites with antifungal activity. Thus, highly active Trichoderma strains has been successfully used to control plant pathogenic isolates of Fusarium, Alternaria, Botrytis, Sclerotinia, Verticillium, Pythium and other genera. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antagonistic activity of 100 Trichoderma strains against eight test-cultures of plant pathogenic micromycetes of different species and to select the most active strains for further studies of their physiological properties. Methods. Cultures of the studied fungi were grown on potato-dextrose agar. The antagonistic activity of fungi of the genus Trichoderma against fungal plant pathogens was carried out using the conventiona