Trichoderma spp. in Consortium and Their Rhizospheric Interactions

Microbial consortium of efficient strains for biological control helps in improving microbial efficacy, reliability, and consistency under diverse soil and environmental conditions. Different genera in consortial formulation occupy varied niches in the root zone, thereby restricting competition among them. In this review we have discussed critically the need of consortial application of bioagents, their role in rhizosphere colonization, and disease suppression. Potential of consortial application of bioagents against fungal, bacterial, and nematodes can be utilized to fullest extent by selecting most potential strains and not by arbitrary use of consortia. It was also discussed here that out of all the consortial formulation applied globally, very few show synergistic effect in consortia. A numerical analysis model to assess synergism is discussed in this chapter. Thus, it is essential to select strains of microbes very carefully to develop efficient consortia to suppress crop diseases.