Evaluation of Trichoderma spp. as a plant growth promoter and antagonist of major pulse pathogens

Abstract

Trichoderma spp. is mostly used for the management of soil-borne diseases and some foliage and fruit diseases in a variety of crop plants. It can help the environment by reducing agrochemical pollution, promoting plant growth, and enhancing plant resistance in addition to preventing plant diseases. Trichoderma spp. also functions as a secure, affordable, efficient, and environmentally friendly biocontrol agent for several crop species. In the present study, we obtained different Trichoderma isolates from rhizospheric soil samples of different locations and tested them for their antagonistic activity against major pulse pathogens. Among seven isolates, three isolates, viz., Pipal TH-2, ATH-Kashipur, and Mz/AP-2 were found to be highly effective by inhibiting the growth of Fusarium udum (64.04 to 78.65%), Fusarium ciceris (77.77 to 82.12%), Sclerotium rolfsii (59.09 to 69.30%), Macrophomina phaseolina (52.42 to 62.72%) and Alternaria alternata (80.12 to 83.22%). These isolates were also tested for growth-promoting traits (PGPR) in the present study and isolates having both plant growth-promoting ability and biocontrol potentiality were selected and preserved for further studies. These isolates of Trichoderma spp. would be a crucial partner for achieving the Green Earth goal due to their contribution to the sustainable growth of agriculture.