In vitro evaluation of native Trichoderma harzianum against major fungal pathogen of flower and fruit crops.
Amreen Taj, Kumar V. B. S.
Author Affiliation: Krishi Vijyan Kendra, V. C. Farm Mandya 571 405, Karnataka, India.
Environment and Ecology 30 : 1039-1041
Abstract : Flower and Fruit crops suffers from several diseases at all stages of its life. All the parts of the plant, namely, trunk, branch, twig, leaf, petiole, flower and fruit are attacked by a number of pathogens including fungi, bacteria and viruses and cause heavy losses in production. Flower crops viz. rose (Rosa sp.), gerbera (Gerbera Jamesonii), anthurium (Anthurium sp.) bird of paradise (Strelizia reginae), marigold (Tagetes erecta), carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus), gladiolous (Gladiolous sp.) and fruit crops viz. mango (Mangifera indica), banana (Musa paradisiaca L), papaya (Carica papaya), sapota (Achras zapota), strawberry (Fragaria anannasa), Citrus (Citrus sp.) are constantly incited by many fungal pathogens. A part of life stage of these fungal pathogens survives in the soil. Hence Trichoderma harzianum which is a broad spectrum saprophytic fungal biological agent was used against various fugal pathogens. The native Trichoderma harzianum was isolated from the pepper rhizosphere and was subjected for in vitro studies. A total of eight different fungal pathogens of flower and fruit crops were selected for interaction studies by dual culture technique. The results showed that native T. harzianum is effective against all fungal pathogens of flower and fruit crops.