Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma harzianum combination on chickpea Fusarium wilt caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris

Abstract

Fusarium wilt is caused by F. oxysporum Schlecht end. Fr. f. sp. ciceris (FOC) is a devastating disease of chickpea in Algeria. In this study, antagonistic effects of B. subtilis MF352017 (Bs1) and Trichoderma harzianum KX523899 (T5) isolated from the rhizosphere of chickpea were investigated separately and in combination for their efficacy in controlling the disease in vivo. The efficacy of the antagonistic biocontrol agents on Fusarium wilt was evaluated based on vegetative and root growth parameters of chickpea. Seed bacterisation with B. subtilis MF352017 (Bs1) and seed treatment with T. harzianum (T5) significantly protected chickpea seedlings from FOC as compared to untreated plants. Plant protection was more pronounced in T. harzianum-treated plants than in bacterised plants. The application of both antagonists effectively suppressed 93.67% of the disease and also enhanced plant growth leading to increased plant height, root length, fresh and dry weights of shoot and root. The mixture of antagonists increased the effectiveness of B. subtilis MF352017 (Bs1) isolate on Fusarium wilt and improved chickpea growth.

Keywords:

• Antagonism
• biological control
• Cicer arietinum L
• F. oxysporum
• B. subtilis Bs1
• T. harzianum T5

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr Bachir Benarba, Head of the Department of Biology (University of Mascara, Mascara, Algeria) for his valuable assistance.