Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

Glycine max (L.) Merrill, belonging to the family Fabaceae, is one of the oldest oilseed crops grown throughout the world. Being an important source of soy milk and cheese, the crop is also known as the "Cow of the field" and "Gold from Soil" in China. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate Trichoderma isolates against Rhizoctonia solani for their antagonistic potential through dual culture, volatile, and non-volatile assays. Trichoderma species were isolated from rhizospheric soils from different geographical regions of Uttarakhand (Plains, Kumaon, and Garhwal divisions). Fifty-two Trichoderma spp. isolates were evaluated for their ability to parasitize and inhibit R. solani. Two isolates, Trichoderma asperellum PATB-7 and PATB-41, achieved 100% parasitization of R. solani after 12 days after contact (DAC) through dual culture technique. In volatile compound assays, T. asperellum PATB-15 (62.92%) and PATB-41 (62.08%) showed inhibition of R. solani mycelial growth. Non-volatile metabolite studies using 10 selected isolates revealed T. asperellum PATB-41 as the most effective, inhibiting R. solani mycelial growth by 30.83% at 25% concentration and 61.62% at 50% concentration, followed by T1- Trichoderma asperellum PATB-7 (54.58%). These isolates could be further used for glasshouse and field conditions for eco-friendly management of aerial blight of soybean.