Trichoderma harzianum mediated suppression of red rot (Colletotrichum falcatum Went) in Sugarcane

Red rot of sugarcane caused by the pathogen Colletotrichum falcatum Went is a major constraint in the profitable cultivation of sugarcane in India. A field experiment was conducted to assess the impact of soil application of Trichoderma multiplied culture (TMC) @220 kg/ ha alone or in combination with MHAT on red rot induced bud mortality in sugarcane. Setts of genotype CoS 96268 (moderately resistant) and CoLk 7701 (susceptible), pre inoculated with C. falcatum, were subjected to MHAT, TMC application or combination of both and planted. The findings of the study indicated that sett treatment with MHAT alone or in combination with TMC soil application was highly effective in suppressing C. falcatum induced bud mortality.

Red rot of sugarcane caused by the pathogen Colletotrichum falcatum Went is a major constraint in the profitable cultivation of sugarcane in India. Red rot affected (incipient infection) setts when planted results in bud and settling mortality which culminates in poor germination, gappy crop stand, and ultimately lower yields (Duttamajumder, 2008). Planting of infected cane setts is also the major source of recurrence of disease in the field. Although resistant varieties are the first line of defence against red rot, development of new pathotypes of C. falcatum results in frequent breakdown of resistance necessitating replacement of varieties from time to time. Available chemical fungicides have also failed to yield the desired level of control against this disease. Therefore, in recent years focus has been on alternative options like biological control using Trichoderma sp. moist hot air treatment at 54oC for 2.5 hrs has also been found effective in suppressing red rot (incipient infection). Keeping these facts in view, a field experiment was undertaken to study the impact of T. harzainum alone and in combination with MHAT on suppression of red rot induced bud mortality in sugarcane.

Refbacks

Duttamajumder, S. K. (2008) Red rot of Sugarcane, IISR, Lucknow, pp-132. Harman, G. E. (2011) Multifunctional fungal plant symbionts: new tools to enhance plant growth and productivity. New Phytologist, 189:647-649. Vinale F., Sivasithamparam K., Ghisalberti E. L., Marra R., Woo S. L. and Lorito M. (2008) Trichoderma-plant –pathogen interactions. Soil biology and Biochemistry 40:1-10