Antagonistic Behavior of Different Bioagents Against Dominant Seed Borne Fungi of Mungbean Seeds Under In Vitro Condition

Abstract

Pulses are high value crops and generally greater attention is paid to protect them against diseases caused by microbial pathogens after harvest during storage. Use of fungicides may cause environmental hazards besides residual problems. Therefore Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma virens, Pseudomonas fluorescence and Bacillus subtilis were evaluated in vitro against seed borne diseases of mungbean seeds. In vitro studies were carried out in both dual culture technique and Agar plate methods. The four dominant fungi of mungbean seeds viz, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium rubrum, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium moniliforme were used to assess their vulnerability to an array of bio-agents. Results showed that all bioagents significantly reduced the percent growth inhibition of all tested fungi. Among all the bioagents T. harzianum was found superior in controlling the seed borne mycoflora of mungbean seeds. Among the fungal pathogens, P. rubrum and A. niger were effectively suppressed by T. harzianum and P. fluorescence. Bacillus subtilis, T. virens and T. viride gave the promising results against all the tested fungi. Trichoderma harzianum showed highest inhibition of mycelium growth of the A. alternata followed by T. viride (8.00 %). Bacterial antagonist, B. subtilis showed intermediate effect against all tested fungi. Trichoderma virens and T. viride showed least effect against all tested seed borne fungi.