Abstract
Tea crop is an important source of non-alcoholic beverages worldwide with several health benefits. However, its production is significantly inhibited by both biotic and abiotic stresses. Among biotic stresses, Fusarium dieback, caused by Fusarium solani, is a prevalent disease of tea crop, which limits crop production in eastern and northeast India. Disease mitigation with microbial bioagents is considered a viable and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides. In this study, we explored the efficiency of Trichoderma reesei TRPATH01 in the reduction of Fusarium dieback and stimulation of various defensive enzymes in tea crop against F. solani through a tri-trophic interface. A total 16 isolates of Trichoderma species isolated from rhizospheric tea soils were characterized. Further, dual culture test revealed that amongst the 16 isolates screened, isolate TRPATH01 possessed highest growth inhibition (82.6%) of F. solani FSNKT. Morpho-molecular characterizations of the isolate TRPATH01 showed that it was T. reesei. Further, 2% and 5% dosage of T. reesei TRPATH01, each with spore density 2 × 106 spores/ml controlled 66.6% to 74.4% of Fusarium dieback under nursery conditions over positive control inoculated with only pathogen. In addition, tea plants applied with T. reesei TRPATH01 possessed enhanced stem diameter, shoot height, fresh weight of root and shoot at inoculation after 60 days under nursery conditions compared with controls. Furthermore, induction of defense-related enzymes viz., peroxidase, phenolics, polyphenol oxidase, chitinase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, and β-1, 3-glucanase due to antagonist were investigated. Overall, the accumulation of defensive enzymes was superior in plants sprayed with T. reesei TRPATH01 followed by F. solani FSNKT inoculation compared to both positive and negative controls. The outcomes of this study suggests that induction of defense-related enzymes by T. reesei TRPATH01 is potentially a prevailing management approach for Fusarium dieback, and it may offer a mitigation prospect for its eco-friendly and sustainable use in tea gardens.
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