Enhancement in growth promotion and production of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by application of a native strain of Trichoderma Virens (T2) in pot condition

Abstract

An endemic strain of Trichoderma virens was isolated from wheat field of village Nagram Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. This strain showed positive test for production of indole 3-acetic acid, phosphate solubilizing activities and siderophore production. The strain was identified on the basis of morphological and molecular characterizations by 18S rRNA partial gene sequencing as Trichoderma virens. Fifteen seeds were primed with conidia of Trichoderma at the rate of 2x108 conidia/ml of Trichoderma and grown. The root length, shoot length, number of tillers, fresh weight and dry weight were increased at 120 days, over control in which no additional nutrient source was applied. The plants applied with Trichoderma virens produced more significant biomass. The fungus enhanced length of spikelet and grain weight per plants by 35% and 69%, respectively. The data indicated that the endemic strain of this fungus can be used as plant growth promoting microbe for cultivation of wheat in this region in addition to its well described role as effective for enhancing wheat production.