Evaluation of Trichoderma spp. against Macrophominaphaseolina Causing Dry Root Rot in Blackgram
B. Mounika
Department of Plant Pathology, ANGRAU-S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati, India.
P. Nagamani *
ANGRAU-Agricultural Research Station, Perumallapalle, India.
M. K Jyostna
Department of Plant Pathology, ANGRAU-S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati, India.
B. Santhosh Kumar Naik
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, ANGRAU-S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Dry root rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina is an important constraint on blackgram productivity, particularly under high-temperature and moisture-stress conditions. This study evaluated the antagonistic potential of 20 Trichoderma isolates against M. phaseolina under in vitro conditions using a dual-culture assay and assessed their effects on blackgram seed germination and early seedling growth following seed biopriming. The isolates differed significantly in their capacity to inhibit pathogen mycelial growth. TPP-15 produced the highest inhibition (80.1%), followed by TPP-10 (79.6%) and TPP-2 (78.1%), whereas TPP-6 produced the lowest inhibition (64.9%). Several additional isolates showed inhibition above 73%. Seed biopriming with the isolates improved germination, root and shoot growth, vigour index, and seedling biomass relative to the control. TPP-15 recorded the highest seed germination (93.6%) and vigour index (3969.6), while TPP-1 recorded the lowest values among the treatments, although these remained above the control. The combined performance of TPP-15 in pathogen suppression and seedling growth promotion identifies it as the most promising isolate under the experimental conditions. However, the findings are limited to controlled assays, and efficacy against dry root rot must be validated in pathogen-infested soil, greenhouse, and field environments before practical application. Overall, selected Trichoderma isolates show potential for further development as biological components of dry root rot management in blackgram.
Keywords: Blackgram, biological control, dry root rot, dual-culture assay, Macrophomina phaseolina, seed biopriming, seed germination, seedling vigour, Trichoderma spp., TPP-15.