Trichoderma spp are free living filamentous fungi. They are cosmopolitan and versatile in nature. They have the potential to produce several enzymes that can degrade the cell wall materials. Also, they release a number of fungi toxic substances that can inhibit the growth of the fungal pathogens. Many mechanisms have been described on how Trichoderma exert beneficial effects on plants as a bio-control agent. But due to its versatile nature, its potential cannot be explored to its full extent. And it is a developing science in the field of bio-control with its new discoveries adding to the usefulness of the fungi as a bio-control agent. Its development as a bio-control agent passes through many phases and each phase adding novel ideas that will help in the development of an efficient bio-agent which in turn will help in the crop improvement and disease management. The studies on their various aspects responsible for bio-control will open a flood gate to the development of Trichoderma as an efficient and reliable bio-agent and provide a better scope for implementation in crop and disease management. The in vitro antagonistic activity of Trichoderma viride against phytopathogens (Sclerotium rolfsii, Fusarium oxysporum f.s.p. ciceri, Fusarium oxysporum f.s.p. udum) was studied and it was found to be potentially effective against F. oxysporum f.s.p. ciceri followed by F. oxysporum f.s.p. udum and Sclerotium rolfsii.

No abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is an incredible revolution in the field of functional genomics, a breakthrough in plant molecular genetics. This technology will generate enormous potential for engineering control of gene expres-sion. The success of managing biotic stress using RNAi technology will prove to be biologically and environmentally safe. It is therapeutic in approach as the resistance induced by RNAi is triggered by ds RNA that results in silencing of specific genes before being translated in a homology dependent manner. Over the time, RNAi is significantly proving it as one of the most promiscent management strategy which eliminates certain risks associated with the development of transgenic plants. This review gives an insight into the probability of management of plant diseases caused by various biotic agents viz. fungi, bacteria and viruses using RNA interference technique and host-pathogen related targeted sites.

No abstract

No abstract