Trichoderma for Citrus: Natural Biofungicide for Root Rot, Phytophthora Control & Higher Fruit Yield

Trichoderma for Citrus: Natural Biofungicide for Root Rot, Phytophthora Control & Higher Fruit Yield

Citrus crops including Orange (Citrus sinensis), Mandarin (Citrus reticulata), Lemon (Citrus limon), Sweet Lime (Mosambi) (Citrus limetta), and Lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) are among the most valuable fruit crops cultivated for fresh consumption, juice processing, essential oils, and export. Healthy feeder roots are critical for nutrient absorption, flowering, fruit retention, and consistent orchard productivity. Soil-borne fungal diseases such as Phytophthora root rot, foot rot, collar rot, root decay, and nursery damping-off can significantly reduce tree vigor, fruit quality, and orchard lifespan.

Trichoderma is a beneficial fungal biofungicide that naturally protects citrus roots against harmful pathogens while promoting vigorous feeder root development and improving soil microbial activity. Species including Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma asperellum, and Trichoderma koningii colonize the rhizosphere, suppress disease-causing fungi, improve nutrient availability, and stimulate healthy tree growth throughout the production cycle.

Unlike conventional fungicides that provide temporary disease suppression, Trichoderma establishes a beneficial microbial population around the root zone, delivering season-long biological protection while improving soil fertility and supporting sustainable citrus production.

Benefits of Trichoderma in Citrus

  • Promotes vigorous feeder root development.
  • Suppresses Phytophthora root rot and foot rot pathogens.
  • Improves nutrient and water uptake.
  • Enhances tree vigor and canopy growth.
  • Encourages healthy flowering.
  • Improves fruit set and reduces premature fruit drop.
  • Produces larger, heavier, and more uniform fruits.
  • Improves fruit size, juice content, colour, and sweetness (°Brix).
  • Enhances peel quality and storage life.
  • Improves tolerance to drought and environmental stress.
  • Increases beneficial microbial activity in the rhizosphere.
  • Reduces dependence on chemical fungicides.
  • Improves long-term soil fertility.
  • Extends orchard productivity.
  • Supports sustainable and organic citrus cultivation.

Diseases Managed

Trichoderma helps suppress several economically important soil-borne diseases affecting citrus, including:

  • Phytophthora Root Rot
  • Foot Rot (Gummosis)
  • Collar Rot
  • Root Rot
  • Pythium Root Rot
  • Rhizoctonia Root Rot
  • Fusarium Root Rot
  • Nursery Damping-off
  • Seedling Root Diseases
  • Charcoal Rot (Macrophomina phaseolina)

Note: Trichoderma is highly effective against soil-borne fungal diseases. Foliar diseases such as citrus canker, greasy spot, melanose, citrus scab, and Alternaria brown spot require integrated orchard management practices.

Mode of Action

Trichoderma protects citrus trees through several biological mechanisms:

  • Rapidly colonizes the rhizosphere before pathogens establish.
  • Competes with harmful fungi for nutrients and root space.
  • Produces enzymes such as chitinase and glucanase that degrade fungal cell walls.
  • Releases natural antifungal metabolites that suppress pathogen growth.
  • Directly parasitizes disease-causing fungi through mycoparasitism.
  • Activates the plant's natural defense system (Induced Systemic Resistance).
  • Stimulates feeder root formation and root biomass.
  • Improves soil microbial diversity and nutrient availability.

These biological mechanisms provide long-term disease suppression while promoting healthy tree growth and improved fruit production.

Recommended Application

Nursery Application

Mix 2–5 g of Trichoderma powder per nursery bag with the potting mixture before planting seedlings or grafted plants.

Root Dip Before Planting

Prepare a suspension using 10–15 g of Trichoderma powder per litre of water. Dip seedling or grafted plant roots for 20–30 minutes before transplanting.

Basin Application

Mix 50–100 g of Trichoderma powder per mature tree with 5–10 kg of well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, or organic compost. Apply uniformly around the tree's drip line and irrigate immediately.

Soil Application

Apply 2–4 kg of Trichoderma per acre mixed with 100 kg of FYM or compost around the orchard root zone during active growth and after harvest.

Drip Irrigation

Apply compatible liquid Trichoderma formulations through drip irrigation according to the manufacturer's recommended dose.

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