Effect of different Trichoderma isolates on growth, nodulation and yield of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik)

Abstract

Trichoderma spp. have been widely studied, and are presently marketed as biopesticides, biofertilizers and soil amendments, due to their ability to protect plants, enhance vegetative growth and reduce pathogen populations under numerous agricultural conditions. Current biocontrol studies have confirmed the effectiveness of the Trichoderma species against many fungal phytopathogens. In this study, a field experiment was conducted during winter seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18 at the experimental farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar to know the effect of different Trichoderma isolates on growth, biomass and yield of lentil crop. The results indicated that seed treatment with different Trichoderma isolates significantly enhanced the field emergence, plant growth, grain weight and nodulation. Among the different Trichoderma isolates used, Trichoderma isolate 3 proved the best in enhancing field emergence (84.38%), shoot height (35.55 cm), root length (13.10 cm), grain weight (6.35g) and nodule per plant (10.32 no.) compare to untreated in pooled values of two consecutive years in Lentil.