Vol. 10, Issue 10 (2021)

Author(s):
Chandrika R, Theradimani M, Thiruvudainambi S, Shanthi M, Renuka R, Brindhadevi S and Ayyandurai M

Abstract:
Brinjal is one of the important economic vegetable crops which are attacked by several serious diseases such as wilt. The dominant pathogen, which causes Fusarium wilt of brinjal, was isolated and identified as Fusarium solani f. sp. melongenae (FSM). Due to the harmful effect of chemical pesticides on the environment, biological control is emerging as an alternative management method. The aim of the present study was to evaluate antagonistic activity of Trichoderma spp. against Fusarium solani by dual culture method under in vitro conditions. Ten native Trichoderma antagonists were isolated from healthy brinjal rhizosphere soil in different geographical regions. The results revealed that Trichoderma asperellum (TB3) isolate was found to effectively inhibit the radial mycelial growth of the pathogen (85.77%) when compared to all other isolates. However, their efficient interaction with the host needs to be accompanied by production of secondary metabolites and cell wall degrading enzymes. Most of the Trichoderma species produced toxic volatile metabolites, having significant effects on growth and development of the plant.