Trichoderma species as Effective environment friendly Biocontrol Agents on Vegetable nursery diseases

Abstract

Interest in biological control has increased recently fuelled by public concerns over the use of chemicals in the environment in general. The key to achieving successful, reproducible biological control is the gradual appreciation of the ecological interactions taking place in soil and root environments that are required to predict the conditions under which biocontrol can be achieved. Biological control is attractive for soil-borne diseases because these pathogens are difficult to reach with specific fungicides. Effect of Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma koningii were compared with burning and chemical treatments. The experiment was carried over a three month period with more susceptible vegetable species to damping-off. Tomato {Lycopersicon esculentum), cabbage (Brassica oleracea) varieties were tested with above treatments. The percentage of healthy plants of tomato with Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma koningii, chemical and burning treatments were 77, 77, 77 and 74% respectively, while control showed 55%. Similar pattern could be observed in cabbage nursery too. Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma koningii did not show any significant different over chemical and burning treatments but were significantly different over control. Therefore, Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma koningii can be recommended as environmental friendly methods in controlling damping off diseases in vegetable nurseries compared to chemical and burning methods.