Antagonistic potential and growth promoting activities of native Trichoderma isolates against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri

Abstract

Chickpea wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (Foc) has been considered as a devastating one which appears every year and causes heavy losses in yield. Trichoderma is a potential biocontrol agent against many diseases. Present investigation was carried out during winter (rabi) season 2021 to assess the antagonistic potential and growth promoting activities of native Trichoderma isolates against Foc. Thirteen Trichoderma isolates from chickpea rhizosphere were isolated and evaluated under in vitro conditions for their potentiality to antagonise Foc. The highest and lowest per cent of mycelial growth inhibition observed among these isolates was 88.1% (HST-1) and 62.2% (HCdT), respectively. Seed treatment with native T. asperellum plays an important role by enhancing plant growth parameters. Experimental results indicated that seed treatment with native T. asperellum exhibited significant increase in germination (94.29%), vigour index (2883.60), vigour index mass (117.16), plant height (25.64 cm), root length (4.96 cm), fresh plant weight (10.92 g), dry plant weight (1.24 g) and number of primary and secondary branches as compared to control. Additionally, T. asperellum caused plants to accumulate more lignin and showed an inhibitory effect on the occurrence of chickpea Fusarium wilt disease. Seed treatment with T. asperellum reduced disease incidence to 36% as compared to 96% in control (chickpea+Foc).