Biocontrol of Sclerotium rolfsii in Groundnut by Using Microbial Inoculants

Abstract

Sclerotium rolfsii (Sacc.) is the causal agent of stem-rot in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)crop. With the increase in demand for the groundnut, control of stem-rot efficiently by microbial strains is fast becoming inevitable as the conventional system of chemicals is degrading our ecosystem. This investigation here emphasizes on inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma species for growth achievement and disease control. The present investigation showed that these microbial strains were found to be worth applying as they stimulated growth and decreased harmful effects of S. rolfsii (cv. ‘Western-51’). The increased biochemical parameters and antioxidant activities also indicated their defence related activities in groundnut plants. In spite of positive attributes meted out by these microbial strains towards groundnut crop, the interaction among AM fungi and Trichoderma species seemed to be less co-operative between each other which were noted when mycorrhizal dependency and percent root colonization were observed. However, in summary more practical application of low-input AM fungi along with Trichoderma species may be needed for the advancement of modern agricultural systems.