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In vitro and in planta analysis of Trichoderma asperellum (Tv1) against Fusarium wilt and its associated nematode of Tomato
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  • Selva Amala A,
  • Sudha Appusami,
  • Parthiban V K,
  • Gopalakrishan C,
  • Swarnakumari N,
  • Anandham Rangasamy
Selva Amala A
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
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Sudha Appusami
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Parthiban V K
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
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Gopalakrishan C
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
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Swarnakumari N
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
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Anandham Rangasamy
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
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Abstract

Wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum and Meloidogyne incognita significantly affects tomato crops, reducing yields by up to 40%. This study evaluated a biocontrol agent with fungicidal and nematicidal properties. Four Trichoderma isolates were identified: Trichoderma asperellum Tv1, Trichoderma asperelloides Tasd1, Trichoderma harzianum Th1, and Trichoderma koningiopsis Tk1. Tv1 effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum isolates (TF-N, TF-P, and TF-S) by 75.53%, 77.41%, and 79.53%, respectively. The crude metabolite of TV1 had similar effects. The mortality rate of M. incognita J2s ranged from 90.48% to 100% after 24 to 72 hours of incubation, and compared with that of the control, the inhibition of egg hatching reached 90.20%. The shoot length (47.86±0.211 cm), root length (17.59±0.129 cm), fresh weight (18.37±0.283 g), and dry weight (1.95±0.011 g) of the tomato plants treated with Tv1 conidia increased. In a pot experiment, Tv1 treatment reduced wilt disease incidence by 64.57%, comparable to carbendazim treatment (82.32%). Tv1-treated plants had fewer root galls (18.2±1.166), egg masses (13.8±1.166), and J2s per gram of roots (21.4±3.929) than did the inoculated-untreated control plants (46.6±3.262 galls/plant, 38.8±1.721 egg masses/100 g of root, and 67.4±2.577 J2s/100 g of root). The root-knot index (RKI) was significantly lower in plants treated with furadon (3.36±0.350) and Tv1 (4.58±0.515) than in the control (5.8±0.4). The bio-control efficiency of Tv1 against M. incognita was 21.04%, and the reproductive factor (RF) of the nematodes decreased to 0.53 in the Tv1 treatment group and 0.39 in the furadon treatment group, while it decreased to 1.69 in the control group. Based on the findings above, it was established that Tv1 effectively controlled nematode populations and reduced wilt disease when applied to the soil.