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

<i>Trichoderma</i> 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 <i>Trichoderma</i> 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 <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. over native microbial communities and then explores the multifunctional role of <i>Trichoderma</i> 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 <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. which include changes in soil microbial biodiversity and the decline of beneficial native microbiota. Furthermore, it evaluates the safety issues of <i>Trichoderma</i>-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 <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. into modern agroecological systems.