Biocontrol efficacy ofTrichodermaasperellum MSST against tomato wilting byFusarium oxysporumf. sp.lycopersici

Tomato is a popular vegetable widely grown in the tropics, which is mainly attacked by fusarium wilt incited by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL). In the present scenario, an ecofriendly alternative strategy such as use of fungi from rhizosphere is being explored to combat the phytopathogen invasion. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Trichoderma asperellum MSST to promote the growth and yield parameters of tomato S-22, a susceptible variety. This study was also undertaken to manage fusarium wilt disease under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Significant increase in vegetative parameters like root length, shoot length, plant weight and chlorophyll content 60 days after sowing (DAS) was observed. There was reduction in the incidence of fusarium wilt in tomato up to 85%. Increase in the level of total phenol, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase and phenylalanine ammonium lyase activity at 10th day of pathogen inoculation showed enhancement of plant defence mechanism by T. asperellum MSST against FOL. Overall study revealed that isolate MSST was proven to be potential biocontrol agent showing induced resistance against FOL.