Comparative Study on Biocontrol Potential of Local Isolates with Commercial Formulations of Trichoderma harzianum for the Management of Collar Rot of Chickpea Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.

Collar rot disease is a major constraint in chickpea production. Comparative efficacy of local isolates and commercial formulations of Trichoderma harzianum were evaluated in lab and field against collar rot of chickpea caused by Sclerotium rolfsii during 2018-2019. Tested local isolates and commercial formulations significantly inhibited mycelial growth of S. rolfsii in-vitro were evaluated in field condition as seed treatment @8gm/kg seed (cfu 1x108/gm) & soil treatment @ 5kg/ha (cfu 1x108/gm) with 100kg vermicompost prior to sowing and recorded the germination percentage, shoot length, root length, nodulation/plant, disease incidence and yield/ha. Maximum seed germination (88%), nodulation (44/plant), pod (306/plant) and highest yield (21.66 q/h) was recorded in soil treated with local T. harzianum isolate CRC and minimum seed germination (77.33%), nodulation (20/plant) in seed treated with T. harzianum (Bioharz) and lowest yield (15.83q/h) was observed in soil treated with T. harzianum (Bioharz). Where as Maximum shoot length (55.33cm) & root length (24.33cm) was observed in seed treated with local T. hargianum isolate CRC and minimum shoot length (37.33cm) & root length (13.33cm) seed treated with local T. harzianum isolate KVK Hastinapur. Minimum disease incidence (3.57%) was found soil treated with T. harzianum isolate CRC multiplied in vermicmpost and maximum disease incidence (11.85%) soil treated with T. harzianum commercial formulation (Bioharz). However, local isolates as well as commercial formulation of T. harzianum) decreased disease incidence and increased pod yield comparison to control.