Question

Which of the following fungi is found useful in the biological control of plant disease?
A. Penicillium notatum
B. Phytophthora aphanidermatum
C. Trichoderma viride
D. Both B and C

Answer 1

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that reproduce by means of spores. They are either unicellular or multicellular. Most of the fungus species produce chemicals that act as bacteriostatic or bactericidal. Biological control means controlling a pest population using another biological population that acts as a predator for the pest.

Complete answer: In plant pathology, the term biological control of plant disease is used where some biologically dominant species are used to kill or stop the pest spread in plants. Fungi are a wide variety of spore-producing eukaryotic organisms that can act as potential biological control agents. Many of the parasitic bacteria or other prokaryotes that infects the plants can be killed or inhibited by using different fungal strains. Also, they help in controlling unwanted weed populations. The agent that cats use to control or suppress pathogenic growth is termed a biological control agent. Fungi are perfect to be used as biological control agents against any prokaryotic pathogens, especially bacteria. The fungi produce enzymes or chemicals that suppress the growth of a wide range of bacteria. Thus they are also used as antibiotic factors. Penicillium notatum is one such example of antibiotic strains. But it is not a biological control of pests in plant diseases. Phytophthora aphanidermatum is a false fungus and is a species of oomycete. Its cell wall consists of cellulose in place of chitin. It causes pathogenic diseases in a wide range of plant species. They cause poor germination of seeds and inactivates their potential. This is hard to control diseases as its spread is widespread. To control this pathogenic disease of plants, Trichoderma viride is used. It is an antifungal fungal species. It kills or inhibits the growth of various pathogenic fungus. Thus, it is used as a useful biological control agent in the biological control of plant disease.
Therefore, the right answer is option C.

Note: Various kinds of seed and soil treatment are done with help of Trichoderma viride to control future infections. The biological disease controls are much more safe and beneficial than chemical agents. Thus, chemical agents should be avoided.