Evaluation of Trichoderma species against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris for integrated management of chickpea wilt

Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (Padwick) Matuo and K. Sato) is one of the major yield limiting factors of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). For eco-friendly and sustainable management of the disease, 10 isolates belonging to three species of Trichoderma (Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, and Trichoderma virens) were evaluated against four isolates of the pathogen representing four different races commonly prevalent in India. Dharwad (race 1), Kanpur (race 2), Ludhiana (race 3), and Delhi (race 4) isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris were included in the study. The isolates of Trichoderma species were evaluated against the pathogen in dual culture and through production of volatile and non-volatile inhibitors. T. viride isolated from Ranchi followed by T. harzianum (Ranchi) and T. viride isolated from Delhi inhibited maximum mycelial growth of the pathogen. They also enhanced seed germination, root and shoot length, and decreased wilt incidence under green house condition. The isolates proved potential in vitro tests were evaluated along with other bioagents individually and in combination with carboxin under wilt sick field during 2002/03, 2003/04, and 2004/05 cropping season in randomized block design in three replications. Species of Trichoderma were found superior to Bacillus subtilis and Kalisena™ a commercial formulation of Aspergillus niger. The efficacy of Trichoderma species was enhanced in combination with carboxin. The integration of T. harzianum (106 spores/ml/10 g seed) and carboxin (2 g kg−1 seed) for seed treatment was the best which enhanced seed germination by 12.0–14.0% and grain yields by 42.6–72.9% and reduced wilt incidence (44.1–60.3%) during experimentations.