Mycofungicides and fungal biofertilizers

Mycofungicides and fungal biofertilizers have been promoted for agricultural use because of their ability to control plant diseases and their ability to increase crop production in an environmentally friendly manner. In recent years several mycofungicides have been patented and registered for plant disease control, while fungal biofertilizers have also been registered for application in crop production. Several effective mycofungicides and fungal biofertilizers have been formulated for commercial production. Formulation of mycofungicides includes wettable powders and granules; these being applied to seeds, seedlings and mature plants. Examples are Ketomium (R), formulated from Chaelomium globosum and Ch. cupreum, Promote (R) formulated from Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride, SoilGard (R) formulated from Gliocladium virens, and Trichodex (R) from T. harzianum. Fungal biofertilizers include plant growth stimulating fungi e.g. Trichoderma, mycorrhizal fungi (ectomycorrhiza e.g. Pisolithus tinctonus and arbuscular mycorrhizae e.g. Glomus intraradices which form mutualistic associations with plants), enzymatic producing fungi for compost production and P-solubilizing fungi and K-solubilizing fungi. Fungal biofertilizers play an important role in promoting plant growth, health, productivity and improving soil fertility.