Novel bioformulation of Trichoderma isolates imparting biocontrol of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on field pea

Abstract Background Field pea production is sternly suffered due to infestation of stem-rot or white mould disease caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum worldwide. To manage this disease sustainably, six Trichoderma isolates were mass-produced on three low-cost substrates (rice, sorghum and wheat) and their novel powdered formulations were prepared to explore the bio-management of S. sclerotiorum under pot conditions. Results Maximum conidiation (sporulation) of Trichoderma isolates was recorded on rice than sorghum and wheat. Hence, rice was selected as a substrate for bioformulation development and evaluated against S. sclerotiorum on field peas. Inoculation of S. sclerotiorum caused severe damage to field pea plants with 81% stem-rot severity and a 29% reduction in yield. However, seed priming with Trichoderma harzianum AMUTH-1 and Trichoderma asperellum AMUTV-3 bioformulations resulted in a significant enhancement in the plant-growth parameters (18–23%), nodulation (18–20%) and field pea yield (41–47%), and correspondingly significant decline in stem-rot severity (75–78%) and soil population of S. sclerotiorum (52–63%). The effect of both bioformulations was comparable to the fungicide, Tagstin (carbendazim). Conclusion The obtained results evidenced a great potential to use the newly developed bioformulations of T. harzianum AMUTH-1 and T. asperellum AMUTV-3 against S. sclerotiorum . Seed dressings with these bioformulations may offer an effective alternative management option for field pea diseases, and could also be used as a component of integrated disease management. However, further studies on shelf-life, the effect of environmental conditions and multi-locational field trials are required before their use by the growers.