Utilizing the combined antifungal potential of Trichoderma spp. and organic amendments against dry root rot of mungbean

Abstract

AbstractThe present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of bioagents and organic amendments in suppressing the dry root rot of mungbean incited by Rhizoctonia bataticola. The locally isolated pathogen and fungal biocontrol agents were identified based on morphological and molecular characterization. These identified bioagents were tested in vitro, and the highest mycelial inhibition was recorded in dual culture assay by Trichoderma harzianum (74.44%), and among organic amendments, maximum mycelial inhibition was found in neem cake (61.11%). In a greenhouse study, T. harzianum + neem cake effectively enhanced the percent germination (93.33%) and decreased the percent disease mortality (11.67%) than the other treatments. The morphological parameter like plant height (57.50 cm), dry weight (22.83 g) root nodules (51), pods/plant (58), and 100-seed weight (5.78 g) were found to be at the maximum in this combined application. Physiological pigments viz. chlorophyll (2.41 mg/g) and carotenoids (0.19 mg/g), protein content (5.85 mg/g), and leghemoglobin (11.75 mg/g) were also found to be maximum in T. harzianum + neem cake and minimum phenol content (1.41 mg/g). The study concludes that T. harzianum + neem cake can be recommended as an effective approach for the management of dry root rot of mungbean.