Trichoderma asperellum suppresses viral diseases and promotes the growth and yield of country bean

Abstract

Viral diseases are the main adversaries of country bean (Lablab purpureus Lin.) production in Bangladesh. Potyviruses and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) have been reported in country bean leaves that displayed virus-like symptoms. This study looked at the growth and yield of country bean plants that had been treated with Trichoderma asperellum to control country bean viruses. T. asperellum-treated plants exhibited decreased disease incidence up to 91% and a drop in the vector population up to 96%, when compared to control plants. Plant growth was enhanced in soil drenched with T. asperellum suspension, with an increase in the number of leaves per plant, pods per plant, root length, weight of dried pods/plant, and weight of dried seeds/plant. Finally, our findings suggest that T. asperellum could be an effective treatment for controlling viral diseases of the country bean in Bangladesh.