EFFECT OF TRICHODERMA VIRIDE AND RICE STRAW BIOCHAR ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHARCOAL ROT IN MAIZE

Abstract

The present study focused on the management of charcoal rot of maize caused by Macrophomia phaseolina, by using biochar made from rice straw, along with compost and Trichoderma viride (Biocontrol agent). Therefore, synergistic effect of 3 and 6 % concentrations of rice straw biochar with T. viride and 10 % of compost was used as a soil amendment to check the effect on growth of maize and charcoal rot disease suppression under glasshouse conditions. The percentage severity of charcoal rot was significantly reduced due to the effect of soil amendment with 3 % rice straw biochar inoculated with or without T. viride. In vitro assays also revealed synergistic association of rice straw biochar with T. viride and resulted into maximum inhibition (69.67 %) of M. phaseolina. The maximum nitrogen contents (20.26 g/kg) were recorded in rice straw biochar (3 %) combined with biocontrol agent amended treatment. However, other than disease parameters, 6 % rice straw biochar irrespective to the presence or absence of T. viride had a significant impact on growth of maize plants. The maize response were found to be dependent on the concentration of biochar (3 and 6 %) and depicted varied effects of resistance in each treatments. Thus, our findings suggest that the combined application of biochar and T. viride holds significant potential for mitigating the detrimental effects of charcoal rot and enhancing the overall health and performance of maize plants.