The Role of Trichoderma in The Early Growth of Rice and Soybean in Saline Soils

Abstract

Optimizing the use of marginal saline soils to improve food security requires solutions that involve exploiting local potential resources, including the use of biological agents. This research aims to determine the ability of Trichoderma sp. Tc-31 and Aspergillus sp. As-27 to overcome salinity stress in rice and soybean seedlings. Both isolates were tested for their ability to grow in vitro in saline soil. Next, the ability to overcome saline soil stress during germination and initial growth of rice and soybean seedlings was tested. The experiment consisted of three types of treatment, namely the use of As-27, Tc-31, and the use of husks treated with complete basic fertilizer. The average inhibitory power of saline soil against As-27 and Tc-31 was (-)62.50±16.68% and (-) 52±3.54% respectively at 48 days of incubation. The application of biological agents had an effect on germination in rice 94.10-94.46% and soybeans 74.49-77.04%. Biological agents also influence the height growth of rice and soybean seedlings. These two fungal isolates have the potential to be used as biological agents to help rice and soybean seeds overcome salinity stress.