Trichoderma: A way for rice health management

Abstract

Trichoderma spp. are the best biocontrol agents, as more than 60% of the enlisted biofungicides utilized in present agribusinesses are based on Trichoderma. Plant–Trichoderma–pathogen is a complex community having multiple mechanisms. Seed bio-priming with Trichoderma strains isolated from tree bark, reduced the mean germination time, enhanced the seedling vigour and total chlorophyll content which could be related to the higher yield observed in rice varieties. This investigation demonstrates that Trichoderma strains obtained from tree bark could be considered to be utilized for the sustainable health management of rice crop. Recent methodologies based on molecular science can easily identify, clone, sequence, and express the activity of the genes and can observe their capacities and functions in the biocontrol system. Herein we present the utilization of Trichoderma strains collected from tree barks for rice plant growth, its health management and paddy straw degradation. The aforementioned variables are required to enhance their efficiency and applications and also demonstrate the possibilities for development of strains of Trichoderma spp.. Trichoderma isolated from tree bark is a novel strain for the preparation of rice straw compost and its value addition. The isolate produces high amount of straw degrading enzymes like cellulase, xylanase and laccase. There is 20% of weight reduction of rice straw during composting through Trichoderma within 30 days. The rice straw compost mediated by Trichoderma is rich in nutrients like N, P, K and promoted germination, seedling vigour and growth of rice plant. We also conclude that apart from growth promotion, enriched compost imparted intrinsic stress tolerance to rice by producing higher amount of defense enzymes like catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. In the present-day scenario, 60-70 million tonnes of rice straw burning in India is a huge economic loss in addition to the associated problems of air pollution. The Trichoderma mediated-straw manure could be promoted as one of the viable options to reduce straw burning. However, large scale field level evaluation is recommended to commercialise this product for the benefit of farmers