Characterization of native rice specific isolates of Trichoderma and evaluation of its effect on sheath blight pathogen Rhizoctonia solani

Abstract

Trichoderma species is one of the most important antagonistic fungi commonly found in soil and is effective against many soil borne plant pathogens. It has been reported to improve plant growth and development in addition to its biocontrol effects on the pathogens. Sheath blight is one of the most economic important disease of rice causing significant yield loss. Biocontrol using Trichoderma spp. is reported to be a safe and effective alternate strategy to the use of fungicides which are harmful to the environment and consumers alike. About 4 native isolates of Trichoderma spp. were isolated from rhizospheric soil collected from different rice growing areas in India including the states of India viz., Telangana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. The isolates were characterized both morphologically and by molecular means using ITS sequencing of Trichoderma specific 18s rRNAs. Accordingly the isolates were identified and the most potential isolate identified from the results was found to be Trichoderma asperellum based on the query score and similarity percentage. Results from the studies on the bio-efficacy of the isolates indicated that T. asperellum isolate IIRRCK1 was found to be the most effective in improving plant growth and high inhibition of R.solani (51.8%) under in vitro conditions.