Trichoderma and Gliocladium: Biology, Ecology, and Potential for Biocontrol

The three decades that followed the pioneering work of Weindling on Trichoderma and Gliocladium were marked by blurred efforts to promote the idea that these two fungi have potential to be effective agents for biocontrol. The last few years, however, have witnessed a dramatic increase in research efforts, and several recent review articles and books consider the use of specific microorganisms for the biocontrol of plant diseases. Yet, no reviews deal specifically with Trichoderma or Gliocladium . An exception is Rifai's taxonomic treatise of the genus Trichoderma which clarifies some of the taxonomic confusion about this genus. This review will focus on information that may have an effect on practical biocontrol, with the understanding that many important research articles have been left out.