Efficacy of Trichoderma viride against Colletotrichum falcatum in sugarcane.

Eight fungal isolates obtained from rhizosphere of sugarcane were screened against red rot pathogen, Colletotrichum falcatum in vitro during 2003–04 crop season. Of the native fungal isolates, Trichoderma viride was significantly superior to others with more per cent inhibition (84.1%) in dual culture. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that T. viride overgrew on the mycelial growth of the pathogen and coiling of pathogen hyphae by T. viride hyphae was observed. Soil application of T. viride alone and also combination of soil application with other treatments significantly reduced the disease intensity, improved the quantitative and qualitative parameters and finally cane and sugar yield.