. In vitro characterization of Trichoderma viride for abiotic stress tolerance and field evaluation against root rot disease in Vigna mungo L

Abstract

Soil-borne phytopathogenic fungi pose serious threats to yield of several crops. Biological control is an ecofriendly approach in the effective management of crop diseases. Trichoderma viride is an important soil-borne fungus, which play an important role in antagonism by secretion of different hydrolytic enzymes. Black gram is an important pulse crop world-wide and its yield is severely affected by Macrophomina root rot. Abiotic stresses greatly influence the performance of biocontrol agents. T. viride was evaluated for its in vitro abiotic stress tolerance ability and its field bioefficacy against root rot disease in blackgram. Growth of T. viride decreased with increasing in salinity, temperature and drought. T. viride effectively inhibited the growth of R. solani (45%) and M. phaseolina (40%) under in vitro conditions. T. viride was compatible with 0.25% mancozeb, 1.0% copper oxy chloride and metalaxyl. Among three doses, plants treated with 6 g.kg-1 of T. viride showed highest yield of 1375 kg.ha-1 and lowest root rot incidence of 14.77% which were statistically on par with 4 g.kg-1 T. viride treated plants. To conclude, this study identified an abiotic stress tolerant T. viride for effective management of root rot disease and enhanced yield of Vigna mungo when applied as seed dresser at a concentration of 4g Kg-1 under field conditions