SYSTEMATICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATION OF THE GENUS TRICHODERMA

Trichoderma, an anamorphic Hypocreaceae (class Ascomycetes), is common in the environment, especially in soils. Species of this genus have b een used in the production of cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic enzyme s, biological control of plant disease, biodegradation of chlorophenol ic compounds, and soil bioremediation. They are also the cause of dise ase in commercially produced mushrooms. The species Trichoderma has no t been clearly defined yet, despite being a very common fungus with an expanding number of applications. Therefore, we highlight the importa nce of the use of molecular techniques along with conventional methodo logies based on morphological characters in order to achieve a ''natur al'' taxonomic system for this group of fungi, as well as for any othe r complex group of fungi.