Ecological dominance, functional roles, and biosafety of Trichoderma spp. as a biofertilizer fungus

Trichoderma spp. are the most widely used fungal species in biofertilizers due to their capacity to enhance soil quality, suppress plant pathogens, and promote plant growth. However, due to the popularity of Trichoderma spp., usages in agricultural systems have raised significant environmental and safety concerns. This review mainly emphasizes the mechanisms that underlie the ecological dominance and competitive nature of Trichoderma spp. over native microbial communities and then explores the multifunctional role of Trichoderma spp. in soil ecosystems, which mainly focus on its interactions within the rhizosphere that influence dynamics plant-microbe interactions and nutrient cycling. This article also highlights potential ecological imbalances associated with prolonged or repeated applications of Trichoderma spp. which include changes in soil microbial biodiversity and the decline of beneficial native microbiota. Furthermore, it evaluates the safety issues of Trichoderma-based biofertilizers by focusing their bioactive metabolites and potential effects on humans, animals, and non-target living things. Therefore, the review addresses the importance of site-specific application strategies, monitoring protocols, and comprehensive ecotoxicological assessments to mitigate unintended environmental and health concerns. By synthesizing recent findings and identifying key knowledge gaps, this work provides a framework for the responsible and sustainable integration of Trichoderma spp. into modern agroecological systems.