Mohammad Riaz, BAU:Researchers at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have developed the country's first indigenous biofungicide, 'PG-Trichoderma', following 25 years of research, marking a significant breakthrough in sustainable agriculture and eco-friendly crop protection.
The biofungicide is produced from Trichoderma asperellum and functions both as a biological fungicide and an organic fertilizer. Each gram of the product contains at least 2 million viable Trichoderma spores, making it highly effective against a wide range of crop diseases while improving soil health.
The innovation was led by Professor Dr. Mohammad Shahjahan Manjil of the Department of Plant Pathology at BAU.
Prof. Manjil said the product effectively controls diseases, increases crop yields, improves soil fertility, and enhances water quality in aquaculture. Besides PG-Trichoderma has shown excellent results in controlling Fusarium wilt, root rot, Sclerotium blight, and leaf spot diseases in crops such as tomato, potato, eggplant, okra, chilli, and cucumber.
He further said the biofungicide promotes root development, enhances nutrient uptake, and improves the biological health of soil. It also reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers and supports the natural suppression of plant diseases and insect pests.
Prof. Manjil added that the product has also demonstrated in aquaculture. When applied in fish ponds, the Trichoderma-based formulation increases dissolved oxygen (DO) levels while reducing ammonia concentration, thereby improving water quality and making fish farming more productive and profitable.
Another member of the research team, Professor Dr. K. M. Mohiuddin of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry said PG-Trichoderma is completely safe and environmentally friendly, with no harmful effects on crops, humans, or the environment.
He added that crops treated with the biofungicide can be harvested and marketed within a few hours after application. The product also reduces heavy metal uptake by plants in contaminated soils while enhancing nutrient absorption, leading to healthier crop growth and improved agricultural sustainability.
The researchers believe the locally developed technology could reduce farmers' dependence on imported chemical fungicides, promote environmentally sustainable farming practices, and contribute to safer food production and higher agricultural productivity in Bangladesh.