Biological control of black pepper and ginger pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora capsici, using Trichoderma spp

Abstract

Target specific fungal biocontrol agents are considered ideal for plant pathogen management strategies in crop protection and it offsets the negative environmental impact of chemical pesticides. The present study was conducted to develop novel microbial biocontrol agents for the effective management of black pepper and ginger pathogens in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner. Several Trichoderma species were isolated from the forest rhizosphere soil of Palakkad and Idukki districts of Kerala during pre-monsoon season. After preliminary screening, four isolates were identified by biochemical and molecular characterization, and later, they were studied for their anti-fungal activity. The novel isolates, T. asperellum strain AFP, T. asperellum strain MC1, T. brevicompactum MF1 and T. harzianum strain CH1 were tested for their efficacy in managing various soil-borne phytopathogens such as F. oxysporum, R. solani and P. capsici. The results of antimycotic activity of these isolates showed that T. harzianum exhibited maximum of mycelial growth inhibition over Fusarium oxysporum (78.3%) and Phytophthora capsici (65.3%) than T. asperellum (Strain AFP and MC1) and T. brevicompactum (MF1). Dual culture test results over mycelial growth of Rhizoctonia solani was found to be maximum in T. asperellum strain AFP (62.3%) followed by T. asperellum strain MC1 (56%), T. brevicompactum strain MF1 (49%) and T. harzianum strain CH1 (45.3%). The analyses of growth inhibition assay of all the four Trichoderma isolates were suggestive of their use as effective microbial biocontrol agents.