Assessment of Local Strain of Trichoderma asperellum Against Fusarium Spp

Trichoderma is unique fungus and now being most popular among the farmers as growth promoter and biocontrol agent. In present study local Trichoderma asperellum strain was evaluated against different Fusarium species in vitro and greenhouse conditions. In vitro study, Trichoderma asperellum was evaluated against 7 Fusarium species i.e., Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Tropical Race 1), F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Tropical Race 2), F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Tropical complex), F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and Fusarium solani andpercentage reduction in the growth of these pathogens was ranged between 40.38 and 46.02%. This strainshowed strong antagonistic potential against F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (73.91%)followed F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense race TR1 (64.49%), Fusarium udum (59.17),F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris(58.33%), Fusarium solani(56.30%), F. oxysporum f. sp. cubenseTR 2(52.78%)and F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense TR (complex) 46.02%. In greenhouse study, Trichoderma asperellum was evaluated alongwith chitosan and botanicals against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici andminimum per cent disease index (PDI) was observed in treatment T4 (Seedling treatment with Trichoderma asperellum @ 5 g/lit + Chitosan @ 0.1% followed by its foliar spray) in which 44.66 per cent PDI recorded followed by T5 (Seedling treatment with Trichoderma isolate 8 @ 5 g/lit + Chitosan @0.1% followed by its foliar spray) in which 49.37 per cent PDI observed. The maximum per cent disease index was recorded in inoculated control (71.35%).