Evaluation of culture filtrate of Trichoderma isolates with potential to induce Fusarium wilt resistance and promote early flower and fruit development in tomato

Abstract

The current study was carried out at Department of Plant Pathology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur in 2021-22 to 2022-23, to investigate the efficacy of culture filtrates from various Trichoderma isolates in controlling Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and enhancing tomato plant growth. Laboratory experiments demonstrated significant inhibition of radial mycelial growth by Trichoderma culture filtrates at both 5% and 10% concentrations. Among the culture of isolates, Trichoderma Nag (T9) exhibited the highest inhibition (53.97%) and the most effective reduction in seed mortality, achieving the highest germination rates (94.61% in 2021-22, 92.67% in 2022-23). Culture filtrate of Trichoderma Ban (T6) and Trichoderma Jab (T7) also performed well, showing lower mortality and improved germination. Additionally, T9 significantly promoted earlier flowering and fruiting compared to the control. The findings suggest that Trichoderma spp. not only control soil-borne pathogens like F. oxysporum but also enhance plant growth by improving nutrient uptake and inducing systemic resistance. This study supports the potential use of Trichoderma isolates as effective biocontrol agents and growth promoters in sustainable agriculture.