Enhanced plant growth of cowpea supplemented with Trichoderma under biotic stress of Sclerotium rolfsii

Abstract

In the present context of agriculture, which depends on hazardous chemicals to meet the growing need of presently increasing population and as a result, the conditions of soil as well as the environment is diminishing day by day. The only alternative of these problems is to utilize the natural resources i.e. biocontrol agents to combat with various types of biotic as well as abiotic factors. In the present study, Trichoderma viride was used as a biocontrol agent against Sclerotium rolfsii in cowpea plant. The germination percentage, plant height, number of stem, number of leaves, phenol (OD) and fresh weight was found maximum in cowpea plants which were soil and seed treated with biocontrol agent. Disease Incidence was also found minimum in the plants treated with maximum amount of biocontrol agent. These biocontrol agents are proving a better substitute to harmful agrochemicals and should be used as well as explored in a large fashion for better production of crops in a sustainable manner, which alongside insurance against pests and diseases are reliable for small farmers.