IDIOSYNCRASY OF LOCAL FUNGAL ISOLATE HYPOCREA RUFA STRAIN P2: PLANT GROWTH PROMOTION AND MYCOPARASITISM

Abstract

Trichoderma viride an anamorph of Hypocrea rufa, is a known bio-control agent against various fungal phytopathogens. In the present study, H. rufa strain P2 was tested for plant growth promoting (PGP) traits and antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Sclerotium rolfsii. In-vitro assessment of H. rufa strain P2 showed maximum IAA production of 68 µg ml-1, solubilised tri-calcium phosphate up to 72 µg ml-1 and showed production of chitinase enzyme 120 U ml-1. In order to determine in-vivo plant growth promotion, talc based formulation of H. rufa strain P2 was prepared and tested on Arachis hypogaea L. using seed and soil application. After 15 days, treated plants showed six-fold increases in the fresh and dry root mass whereas, fresh and dry shoot mass was increased up to two folds. The result indicates the local isolate H. rufa strain P2 can be categorized as phyto-friendly fungi which can be used as both, bio-control agent as well as phyto-augmenting bio-fertilizer.