DefinePK

Abstract

Background and Objective Sesame Sesamum indicum L. is one of the most important oil crops in Ethiopia next to coffee arabica. The present study was aimed to evaluate and characterize the potential biocontrol agents of Trichoderma species isolates against 2 pathogenic fungi viz., Alternaria isolate AUA1 and Fusarium isolate AUF5 under in vitro condition. Materials and Methods Infected leaves, seeds and soil samples of sesame were collected from different sesame farms of Wolkait district, Northern Tigray, for the isolation of fungal pathogens. The pathogenicity test of these isolates was confirmed on detached leaves of sesame plants resulting in typical symptoms of leaf blight and wilt disease. The in vitro potential of 7 Trichoderma species isolates were evaluated against two isolates of phytopathogenic fungi in dual culture techniques through production of volatile and non-volatile inhibitors. Results Among the Trichoderma species isolates, T-12, T-158 and T-97, exhibited a significant p0.05 enhancement of germination percentage in sesame seeds compared to control 55. In vitro confrontation analysis revealed that the highest mean inhibitory effect on the growth of the test pathogens were achieved by T. asperellum T-131 79.49 against AUF5 and T. asperelloides T-97 76.42 against AUA1 while, T. viride T-33 isolate showed the lowest mean inhibition compared to control consisting of any of the two test pathogens growing alone. The highest non-volatile inhibition effect was exhibited by T. asperellum isolates T-11 and T-12 against AUF5 isolate. Conclusion Among Trichoderma species, excellent results were observed for T. asperellum and T. asperelloides indicating better plant growth promoting potential and thus, exhibiting perspective for their commercial exploitation.