Abstract
The present work is aimed to examine the genetic variability and the distribution pattern of beneficial Trichoderma spp. isolated from rhizosphere samples and their mode of action in improving the plant health. A total of 131 suspected fungi were isolated from the rhizospheric soil and 91 isolates were confirmed as Trichoderma spp. T. asperellum and T. harzianum were found high in the frequency of occurrence. Genetic diversity analysis using RAPD and ISSR revealed the diverse distribution pattern of Trichoderma spp. indicating their capability to adapt to broad agroclimatic conditions. Analysis of genetic diversity using molecular markers revealed intra-species diversity of isolated Trichoderma spp. The frequency of pearl millet (PM) root colonization by Trichoderma spp. was found to be 100%. However, they showed varied results for indole acetic acid, siderophore, phosphate solubilization, β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, cellulase, lipase, and protease activity. Downy mildew disease protection studies revealed a strong involvement of Trichoderma spp. in direct suppression of the pathogen (mean 37.41) in the rhizosphere followed by inducing systemic resistance. Our findings highlights the probable distribution and diversity profile of Trichoderma spp. as well as narrate the possible utilization of Trichoderma spp. as microbial fungicides in PM cultivation across different agroclimatic zones of India.
Highlights
The present work is aimed to examine the genetic variability and the distribution pattern of beneficial Trichoderma spp. isolated from rhizosphere samples and their mode of action in improving the plant health
The identity of the isolates was further confirmed by analyzing the ITS sequence (Supplementary Table S1). These isolates were identified as T. asperellum (35.1%), T. harzianum (27.5%), T. virens (16.5%), T. longibrachiatum (5.5%), T. atroviride (2.1%), T. brevicompactum (1.1%), T. viride (4.4%), T. hamatum (2.2%), and five isolates (5.5%) were only identified up to genus level (Fig. 1)
T. asperellum and T. harzianum were found in all agroclimatic regions
Summary
The present work is aimed to examine the genetic variability and the distribution pattern of beneficial Trichoderma spp. isolated from rhizosphere samples and their mode of action in improving the plant health. T. harzianum T23 inhibit the growth of Erwinia amylovora and C. michiganensis in vitro by producing viridiofungin A31 Different peptaibols such as Trichokonin VI, VII and AVIII were identified in Trichoderma spp., which are the cause of the suppression of plant pathogens g rowth[32]. Trichoderma spp. are known to produce enzymes like chitinase and glucanase which can degrade fungal and oomycetous pathogen cell walls and reported to produce antibiotics[33] They are known to produce phytohormones such as gibberellic acid and indole acetic acid (IAA), and cycling soil nutrients, thereby playing a crucial role in enhancing soil organic carbon and improving the soil configuration and fertility. The present investigation was undertaken to study (1) the distribution and genetic diversity patterns of Trichoderma spp. in PM growing regions of India, (2) the characterization of Trichoderma for their beneficial traits, and (3) the potential of Trichoderma to improve the host plant growth and suppress DM disease in PM
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