Commercialization, Diffusion and Adoption of Bioformulations for Sustainable Disease Management in Indian Arid Agriculture: Prospects and Challenges

Trichoderma spp. is one of the most popular genus of fungi commercially available as a plant growth promoting fungus (PGPF) and biological control agent. More than 80 species of Trichoderma are reported in the literature. However T. asperellum, T. harzianum, T. viride, and T. virens are most commonly utilized as biocontrol agents. Studies were initiated to explore the potential of biocontrol agents in order to develop a cost effective and practical management strategy. Analysis of large number of soil samples collected from western parts of the region led to isolation of native biocontrol agents viz., Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus versicolor, and Bacillus firmus from different agricultural systems. These biocontrol agents have proved their antagonistic ability in laboratory tests and field trials. In India, two species of Trichoderma i.e., T. viride and T. harzianum are commercially registered for usage against soil borne plant pathogens mostly as a seed treatment or soil application. There are published scientific papers on the efficacy of T. asperellum and T. virens in India for suppressing pathogens but these are not yet registered under Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC). This review article focuses on the uses, commercialization and adoption issues of various fungal and bacterial consortium products in sustainable disease management.