Trichoderma atroviride is a cold-tolerant, versatile hyperparasite (a microorganism that parasitizes other microorgansims) isolated from the subartic regions of Alaska. It parasitizes a wide range of economically important plant pathogens, including Coprinus psychromobidus, Microdochium nivale, Myriosclerotinia borealis, Pythium species and many others.

      A temperature range from less than 4^oC to 33^oC (39^oF to 91^oF) makes it useful for controlling pathogens that can inflict damage on roots, stems and other plant tissues under cool temperatures when plant tissues are particularly vulnerable. 

     Trichoderma atroviride is fast growing, produces profuse spores and is naturally resistant to metalyxyl, captan, and grows best at moderate pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) and iprodione, and has a high tolerance to mancozeb and other chemical fungicides.

     In the last century, chemical fertilizers and pesticides were used as the key weapons for farming to solve the problems on plant nutrient deficiency and damages caused by plant diseases and insects. However, the implication of harmful chemicals in human health, environmental pollution of soil, water and air, and ozone depletion has mandated scientists to search alternative approaches for integrated farming management. Plant Helper, containing living microorganisms and other naturally derived components, has multiple ingenious functions to stimulate plant growth and enhance plant self-resistance to various plant diseases and insects.

To increase food productivity and protect the environment we are living in, biological products with naturally derived components as alternative approaches will play a meaningful role in overall crop production in the new century.