Biocontrol Potential of trichoderma and yeast against post harvest fruit fungal diseases: a review

Abstract

Crop protection is vital to maintain high productivity and high quality of crops. Over the past years, people used different fungicides, herbicides and good agronomical practices to control fungal diseases and pests to increase productivity. However, extensive use of chemicals in controlling pests and diseases resulted in negative impacts on the environment, producing inferior quality and harming consumer health. In recent times, diverse approaches are being used to manage a variety of pathogens for control of plant diseases. Biological control is the alternative approach for disease management that is eco-friendly and reduces the amount of human contact with harmful chemicals and their residues. A variety of biocontrol agents including fungi and bacteria have been identified; In this regard, yeast and trichoderma species are the most researched microbes in biocontrol research area. But, despite the presence of many reports on biocontrol, practicability of the biocontrols requires effective adoption and a better understanding of the intricate interactions among the pathogen, plants and environment towards sustainable agriculture. To this end, this review attempts to find and compile previous works done on the role of trichoderma and yeast as a biocontrol agent against postharvest fungal pathogens. Moreover, this review analyzes the mechanisms of biocontrol activity, their means of application and future prospects on the use biogents and the challenges that encounter during the commercialization process.

Keywords: Biocontrol, Trichoderma, Postharvest, Preharvest, Yeast