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Fungicide use is surging, largely because it is not being monitored.
Modern fungicides that are sprayed on fruit and vegetables have come under fresh scrutiny after scientists
found they caused similar genetic changes in mouse neurons to those seen in autism and Alzheimer’s disease.
A wide range of chemicals are used in global agriculture under the perception that they are fundamental to achieving maximum crop yields. There is, however, a growing knowledge base developing that underpins the distribution and impact of chemicals in the environment and how they affect the human body. Furthermore, there is growing requirement for regulatory control and management procedures due to the specific challenges that are being recognized.
While insecticides are a known deadly threat, two studies find that bees exposed to fungicides are smaller, sickly and declining in ‘chemical cocktail’ farmlands.
Also from a consumer point of view, it is our responsibility to fully understand what we eat and what we are feeding to the next generation. Some of our local farming community is moving towards the non - chemical and organic farming. Hopefully more shall follow.
found they caused similar genetic changes in mouse neurons to those seen in autism and Alzheimer’s disease.
A wide range of chemicals are used in global agriculture under the perception that they are fundamental to achieving maximum crop yields. There is, however, a growing knowledge base developing that underpins the distribution and impact of chemicals in the environment and how they affect the human body. Furthermore, there is growing requirement for regulatory control and management procedures due to the specific challenges that are being recognized.
While insecticides are a known deadly threat, two studies find that bees exposed to fungicides are smaller, sickly and declining in ‘chemical cocktail’ farmlands.
Also from a consumer point of view, it is our responsibility to fully understand what we eat and what we are feeding to the next generation. Some of our local farming community is moving towards the non - chemical and organic farming. Hopefully more shall follow.
Trichoderma a Biofungicide.
Trichoderma is a beneficial fungus that helps to protect your plants against molds and bacteria. These tough little guys stand up against root rot and grey mold, protecting your plants from being destroyed. They create a barrier that make it impossible for harmful bacteria and pathogens to pass through.
Trichoderma surrounds your plant’s roots releasing compounds that trigger their natural defense systems.
Fungi That Flexes
These guys aren’t messing around. Not only do they strong arm potential pathogens but they also have the ability to kill those that may already be present. Additionally, Trichoderma reduces Pythium, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia. These enzymes attack harmful soil bacteria and fungi. They wrap themselves around the harmful fungi, releasing these enzymes that then dissolve the invaders cell wall. This action is term as “microbe parasitism.”
They produce mainly two types of enzymes: cellulase and chitinase. Cellulase is an enzyme that breaks down cellulose (the structure of plant cell walls). On the flipside, chitinase is an enzyme that breaks down chitin (the structure of fungal cell walls). Chitinase is also what breaks down the crunchy exoskeleton of insects but as far as studies show, this fungi isn’t an omnivore as of yet. Trichoderma is some mind-blowing stuff. They know when to activate which enzyme depending on what root system and soil that it is residing within to not cause harm. Is there anything that these beneficial fungi can’t do??
Who Are These Fungi?
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Subdivision: Pezizomycotina
Class: Sordariomycetes
Order: Hypocreales
Family: Hypocreaceae
Genus: Trichoderma
There are four different species of trichoderma- harziamum, viride, longibrachiatum and reesei. Each of these have defining characteristics and qualities but mainly are separated by what they eat.
Trichoderma harziamum is the most commonly known species of this beneficial fungi. It likes to hang out in temperatures between 30 to 37 degrees Celsius. It is used as a fungicide and a biocontrol for a number of different fungal pathogens.
Trichoderma Viride was thought to be the only species of trichoderma for a long time. It is also known as the “green mold disease of mushrooms”. It breaks down both chitin and cellulose and uses them as its food source. “Its ability to break down both compounds make it very adaptable.” This species can grow on wood (cellulose) and fungi (chitin).
If you are considering doing any mushroom farming in the future, make sure to keep this particular species far away from any mushroom cultivation. Trichoderma Viride have voracious appetites for all fungi.
Trichoderma longibrachiatum is not used as often as some of the other species of this fungi. This new kid on the block is the most recently discovered Trichoderma. It is particularly powerful and is often genetically modified to make enzymes that enable it to perform as a bioremediator (meaning that they can clean up heavy metals).
Just as great as they can be in cleaning up, they can be just as terrible when found in the wrong place at the wrong time. Trichoderma longibrachiatumpose a high potential for causing allergic reactions in humans. It is the common black mold found in air filters and the corners of your windows.
Although beneficial in your soil, those that have lymphoma or have recently had a bone marrow transplant should fear this strain like the plague because it has been known to colonize in recovering patients.
Present day fashion designers now use Trichoderma reesei to create the “stone washed” jeans effect that keeps going in and out of style.
In addition to eating cellulose, Trichoderma reese excretes antibiotics for the plants. These antibiotics trigger the resistance response within the plant to help it to fight off fungal pathogens.
Trichoderma, Naturally.
You can find Trichoderma organically in nature in native soils on nearly every continent of the world. They can be found in soils of varying temperatures but thrive between 25 and 40 degrees Celsius. Outside those temperatures, the fungi begin to lag or die off.
Trichoderma is very resilient and can survive in the face of pathogens, heavy metals and bacteria. These spunky little fungi can handle just about anything that you throw at them. But humans are giving them a run for their money by interrupting their natural balance and ability to organically exist in soils.
Just like we are responsible for salt build up and alkaline soils, we are killing off these beneficial bacteria with mining, construction, pesticides, drought, flooding, and extreme heat waves. We now find ourselves having to add it back to our soils instead of benefiting from its naturally occurring colonies. Just one more reason to give a shit about environmental practices, and how your food is grown…..
Getting Heady
In addition to helping your plants keep themselves healthy and fight off diseases, Trichoderma also help increase nutrient uptake, increase growth, increase yield and increase the amount of seeds they are able to germinate.
Trichoderma and Other Microbes
Trichoderma work well with other microbes, buddying up with anything that is going to increase the health of its rhizosphere. It will literally melt any pathogenic fungi causing ZERO negative effects.
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