Study on Antagonistic Efficacy of Root Endophytic Fungi and Trichoderma species on Macrophomina phaseolina In vitro

Two root endophytic fungi (Piriformospora indica Varma and Sebacina vermifera Warcup), as well as two species of Trichoderma (T. viride and T. harzianum (T-100)) were used against Macrophomina phaseolina. Antagonistic ability of root endophytic fungi and Trichoderma species against the pathogen in dual culture, volatile metabolites and colonization were evaluated. Assays in dual culture revealed that antagonistic fungi produced a good zone of inhibition. Interaction of root endophyte fungi and Trichoderma species in combination resulted in maximum inhibition of mycelial growth and microsclerotia formation of the pathogen. The volatile metabolite studies revealed that endophytic fungi did not act by producing volatile metabolites but possibly by other mechanisms of competition or parasitism. As for mechanism of colonization, it was revealed that antagonistic fungi were able to overgrow the colony of the pathogen and lyse its mycelia.