Role of Volatile Metabolites from T. citrinoviride in Biocontrol of Phytopathogens

Abstract

Biological control of phytopathogens is an ecological, environmental and economical way of disease control.  Six isolates of Trichoderma were isolated from  rhizosphere soil samples collected and screened for their biocontrol potential. In vitro activities like siderophore, cellulase, chitinase, b-1,3-glucanase, IAA, phosphate solubilization, HCN, ammonia, organic acids, and phytase production were estimated in the cell free filtrate. Among them one potent isolate was selected on the basis of it being able to antagonize two fungal phytopathogens M. phaseolina and S. sclerotiorum showing 92.54 % and 90.94% inhibition by dual culture method and denoted as MBAAT. Identification and profiling of volatile metabolites produced by MBAAT showed the presence of a compound (3-methylbutanal and 2-methyl, 2-butane) at 1.84 and 16.32 mins of retention time respectively. The VOC’s of this fungus demonstrated growth inhibitory activity against phytopathogens.  An attempt was made to evaluate and compare the isolate with commercial T. viride (CTC) product against the disease under pot trials. The disease incidence with M. phaseolina positive control was 82.35% and a drastic decline in disease to 15.25% was observed in Vigna radiata plants treated with M.phaseolina + MBAAT.