In vitro evaluation of bio control agents against Alternaria spp. causing Alternaria blight of marigold

Abstract

Blight disease of marigold is one of the important disease caused by many species of Alternaria. The antagonistic potential of six Trichoderma spp., viz., T. asperellum (KU933475), T. koningiopsis (KU904460), Hypocrea lixii (KX0113223), T. hargianum (KU904458), T. ovalisporum (KU904456) and T. atroviridae (KU933472) were evaluated in vitro against Alternaria pathogen causing Alternaria blight of marigold following dual culture technique. Among bio-agents used, T. harzianum showed the highest growth inhibition per cent (68.24%) followed by T. atroviridae (67.05%), T. asperellum (60.35%), T. ovalisporum (60%), Hypocrea lixii (58.82%) and T. koningiopsis (57.64%) respectively. All species of Trichoderma considerably inhibited the growth of pathogen. The findings indicates the ability of Trichoderma spp. as potential antagonists against the growth of Alternaria spp. causing Alternaria blight of marigold.