A method for enhancing growth of plants comprising contacting a Trichodermastrain with the plant or a plant seedunder conditions effective for the Trichoderma strain to colonize the roots ofthe plant or a plant grown from the plant seed,thereby creating a plant- Trichoderma system. The plant or plant seed is grownunder conditions effective to sustain theplant-Trichoderma system in a planting medium and to enhance plant growth. TheTrichoderma strain is selected from the group consisting ofTrichoderma atroviride strain WW10TC4 (ATCC accession number PTA 9707),Trichoderma harzianum strain RR17Bc (ATCCaccession number PTA 9708), Trichoderma harzianum strain F11 Bab (ATCCaccession number PTA 9709), and combinationsthereof. Methods of enhancing resistance of plants to abiotic stress,increasing nitrogen use efficacy in plants, reducing nitrousoxide emissions in air, reducing leaching of nitrates into soil and water, andenhancing sequestration of carbon from air aredisclosed.
