Individual and interactive role of Trichoderma and Mycorrhizae in controlling wilt disease and growth reduction in Cajanus cajan caused by Fusarium udum

Abstract

The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of individual and co-inoculation of Trichoderma and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in controlling wilt disease and growth reduction in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. caused by Fusarium udum. In this regard, three different isolates of Trichoderma, i.e. Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride and Th0126K, and consortium of AMF (Myc, mixture of Glomus cerebriforme, G. intraradices and G. mosseae) individually and in combinations were tested in net house. Among all the treatments tested, co-inoculation of T. harzianum and Myc gave maximum growth, however inoculation of Myc alone was sufficient for growth promotion (p < 0.05). Fusarium considerably reduced all the parameters studied, except dry weight and enhanced disease severity. Results clearly showed that different isolates of Trichoderma produced varied results with Myc. Thus, it can be stated that soil must be pretreated with biocontrol agents to achieve enhanced growth and effective protection against the Fusarium.

Keywords:

• biocontrol agents
• root colonisation
• wilt
• co-inoculation

Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful to head department of botany, Dr HS Gour Central University, Sagar for facilitating the research programme and constant encouragement during the period of study. Ashok Shukla acknowledges funding through University Grants Commission’s Dr DS Kothari Post Doctoral Fellowship Scheme, New Delhi, India during the preparation of this paper.