Characterization of Trichoderma isolates against Sclerotium rolfsii, the collar rot pathogen of Amorphophallus – A polyphasic approach

Publication date: November 2015 Source:Biological Control, Volume 90 Author(s): Neetha Soma John, I.P. Anjanadevi, Vishnu Sukumari Nath, Senthil Alias Sankar, Muthulekshmi Lajapathy Jeeva, K. Susan John, Raj Shekhar Misra The aim of the present study was to characterize ten selected isolates of Trichoderma with differential inhibitory potential over the collar rot pathogen of Amorphophallus, Sclerotium rolfsii. Use of a polyphasic approach which combined the morphological, molecular and biochemical attributes revealed inter specific and intra specific diversity among different isolates. Strains with the best in vitro antagonistic capacity were Trichoderma harzianum (Tr9) and Trichoderma asperellum (Tr10). In general, relationship was observed between the anatgonistic capacity of the Trichoderma spp. and their in vitro biocontrol performance, cell wall degrading enzyme production, protein profiles and the RAPD and AFLP finger print. The pot experiment revealed a comparative success of Tr9 in controlling collar rot incidence in Amorphophallus over Tr10. This is the first report of intensive characterization of Trichoderma strains with the integration of the above data sets against S. rolfsii, in an attempt to explore their biocontrol potential in managing collar rot disease.
Source: Biological Control - Category: Biology Source Type: research