Characterization and biocontrol potential of Trichoderma longibrachiatum TL-RD-01 against plant pathogens

Abstract A study was conducted to isolate efficient biocontrol agent against agriculturally important plant pathogens. Isolated fungus was identified using morphological and molecular characters and evaluated against plant pathogens. Isolated culture was identified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum based on morphological and cultural characteristics. The isolate (TL-RD-01) was able to solubilize the zinc and able to produce the indole 3 acetic acid of about 32.01 μg/ml. To optimize the growth media different carbon and nitrogen sources were studied. Maltose, Corn flour, Peptone and Yeast Extract used media attained maximum growth of T. longibrachiatum. The pH (5 to 6) and temperature (25 °C to 30 °C) was optimized for the growth of T. longibrachiatum TL-RD-01. Molecular identification based on internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 region (ITS1 and ITS2) sequence analysis have been further confirmed as T. longibrachiatum. The phylogenetic analysis of above ITS gene sequences were carried out. T. longibrachiatum isolate was clearly separated with ITS sequence’s analysis with other species of Trichoderma. Mycoparasitic effect of T. longibrachiatum was carried out by dual plate technique against agriculturally important plant pathogens viz., Macrophomina phaseolina, Phytopthora infestans, Collectrotrichum gleosporides (Mango) and Colletotrichum falcatum. Pathogen inhibition effect of T. longibrachiatum isolate was in between 50% to 81.94%. As per the investigation, Trichoderma longibrachiatum (TL-RD-01) could be deployed as a biocontrol agent and a biostimulant.