Plant beneficial effects of Trichoderma spp. suppressing Fusarium wilt and enhancing growth in Tomato

Trichoderma spp. are widely used as beneficial fungi for disease management, plant growth promotion, induced resistance, and abiotic stress management. Henceforth, plays a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture around the world. The study aimed to identify a promising biocontrol agent with multi-trait properties wherein isolates of Trichoderma spp. were identified on the basis of their morphological and molecular characteristics for species-level determination. Twelve Trichoderma isolates tested in-vitro against Fusarium solani and their biochemical responses concerning defense enzymes, growth enzymes, and lytic enzymes were also assessed, further validated under pot culture conditions. Under thein-vitro study, the highest percent inhibition, specific activity of defense enzymes (PO, PPO, and SOD) and lytic enzymes (cellulase, Xylanase, CMCase, and Chitinase) production were recorded with T. asperellum (TGD-I and TSH-I) and T. harzianum (MTB-I). These three isolates exhibited growth hormones ranging from 0.01 to 0.42 μl/ml (IAA) and 0.2–0.5 μl/ml (GA3) and also showed the highest root and shoot growth promotion. This study proves that T. asperellum and T. harzianum initially isolated from hot humid tropical climate may be used as bio inoculants in subtropical areas of India for biotic stress management and plant growth promotion in vegetable crops.