Trichoderma: An Effective and Potential Biocontrol Agent for Sustainable Management of Pulses Pathogens

Pulses play a major role in meeting the projected targets relating to food and nutritional security worldwide. The complementation of cereal-based food with grain legumes keeps the vegetarian diet nutritionally balanced. However, the productivity of these crops is severely impacted by a number of biotic, mesobiotic, and abiotic stresses causing substantial economic losses globally. Among the biotic/mesobiotic constraints, diseases and insect pests remain the most crucial factors affecting all parts of the plant at different growth stages. For the management of these insect pests and diseases, chemical pesticides are extensively employed across the world. However, the global risk associated with the environmental pollution and health hazards posing toxicity to man, plants, domestic animals, and wildlife render these chemical-based interventions ecologically unacceptable. In the context, Trichoderma is one of the most effective and attractive biological control agents (BCAs) as well as an alternative to conventional fungicides. These Trichoderma-based BCAs are economically viable and environment-friendly and represent the most competent means to sustain the existing level of agricultural production system.