Exploring Host-pathogen and Trichoderma strains Interaction in Lentil genotypes for the Management of Wilt

Lentil wilt, attributed to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis, presents an enduring challenge in lentil farming. As agricultural practices veer towards sustainable disease management, investigating the intricate relationship between host plants, pathogen and antagonists, has become a focal point. In this regard, the present study suggests bio-control potential of three Trichoderma strains in four cultivated and nine new genotypes of lentil. T. viride exhibited maximum 67.57 per cent inhibition of F. oxysporum f. sp. lentis, (FOL) followed by T. harzianum strain-2 (65.48%) in dual culture assay. In field conditions, T. harzianum strain 1 displayed the maximum effectiveness, showing the minimum average wilt incidence 16.37 %, followed by T. harzianum strain-2 (19.28%) as compared to the control (35.18%). Furthermore, seed treatment with T. harzianum strain-2 significantly promoted root length, recorded average plant highest 10.67 cm in the cultivated genotypes, as compared to the control (9.09 cm). Similarly, the plant height, was also enhanced reaching up to 19.59 cm due to this treatment, followed closely by T. harzianum strain-1 (19.32 cm), while in control it was significantly less i.e. 16.95 cm. Overall plant weight was also highest 22.47 gm in T. harzianum strain-1 treated lentil seeds, followed by T. harzianum strain-2 (21.61 gm), superior to control (13.29 gm). Studies on endophytic nature of both the species of Trichoderma indicated that their colonization in genotypes is host dependent, the maximum 73 % was in LIRL 22-109 followed by ILL 10847 (69 %), this association is positively correlated with wilt incidence and significantly lowered down the wilt incidence 7.85 % and 9.45 %, respectively. Compatibility assessment between Trichoderma strains and fungicides exhibited high compatibility of T. harzianum strain-2 (45.00 mm) and T. harzianum strain-1 (44.00 mm) with Propineb 70% WP. These interaction between Trichoderma strains and the lentil wilt signifies a hopeful integrated strategy for the disease suppression