2023, Vol. 8, Special Issue 5

This study focused on isolating and identifying Trichoderma isolates and Pseudomonas isolates from rhizospheric soil and to study bio efficacy of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas isolates against soil borne pathogen of chickpea crop. Pathogen such as Rhizoctonia bataticola causing dry root rot and Sclerotium rolfsii causing collar rot to chickpea crop plant. In this research work Bacterial and fungal colonies were isolated using serial dilutions and hyphal tip technique, and identified using morphological features.

Four biocontrol agents were examined: Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescence, and Pseudomonas spp. In the case of Sclerotium rolfsii, Trichoderma harzianum exhibited the highest efficacy (64.28%), followed by Trichoderma viride (58.57%), Pseudomonas fluorescence (45.71%), and Pseudomonas spp. (41.42%). For Rhizoctonia bataticola, Trichoderma harzianum was again the most effective (91.42%), followed by Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescence, and Pseudomonas spp. found lesser effective as compared to other biocontrol agents. The study highlights the mechanisms of competition for nutrients, antibiosis, and myco-parasitism as key factors in pathogen control. The results indicate significant growth inhibition of the pathogens by the BCAs, leading to potential strategies for managing plant diseases.