Effect of Trichoderma Fortified Compost on Disease Suppression, Growth and Yield of Chickpea

Trichoderma species are commonly used as effective biological control agents against phytopathogens especially the soil-borne fungi while some isolates are able to ameliorate plant growth. In the present study, Trichoderma fortified compost with different substrates were evaluated to reduce the pre-emergence and post-emergence seedling mortality, diseases of stem and root of chickpea caused by several soil-borne fungal pathogens, including Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii at different growth stages in the field under natural epiphytotic conditions. Among the twenty isolates of T. harzianum, Co-7 showed the most effective antagonist against the test pathogens in dual culture method. In field experiment, subsequently it was used for inoculum preparation with colonized wheat grain and mixed with well-matured decomposed composting materials like, saw dust, cow dung, tea waste, water hyacinth and poultry manure. Trichoderma fortified compost with poultry manure was found significantly effective in reducing pre-emergence and post emergence seedling mortality, disease incidence and disease severity of chickpea in the field. Interestingly, all the treatments significantly increased but Trichoderma fortified compost with poultry manure was the best to boost seed yield and quality.