Dry root rot of chickpea is an emerging disease posing threat to chickpea cultivation around the world. It is caused by the soil borne pathogen Rhizoctonia bataticola. The current study was conducted to investigate the potential of employing endophytic microorganisms that are antagonistic to R. bataticola to manage dry root rot. A total of 20 fungal endophytes were isolated from healthy chickpea plant (roots, stem and leaves). The isolated fungal endophytes were tested against R. bataticola by dual culture technique under in vitro conditions. Among all Trichoderma asperellum (CLEF18) exhibited the maximum inhibition of test pathogen, followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (CREF4) and Acremonium sp. (CREF1). The least mycelial inhibition of R. bataticola was observed in Colletotrichum sp. (CLEF6), followed by Rhizoctonia sp. (CREF17). These endophytes thus; could be efficient biological control agent in sustainable crop production and offer unique opportunity for crop protection and biological control.

Dry root rot, Endophytes, Inhibition, Rhizoctonia bataticola, in vitro

The chickpea endophytic microbes viz., Trichoderma asperellum (CLEF18), Aspergillus fumigatus (CREF4) and Acremonium sp. (CREF1) showed the significant inhibition of mycelial growth of pathogen. This is a novel and preliminary research on chickpea endophytes as biocontrol agent against Rhizoctonia bataticola. Endophytic strains as they possible dual ability of antagonizing fungal pathogen and plant growth promotion; with the view of plant health and productivity. Therefore, these promising endophytes as a bio-control agents can be used as a component in the integrated disease management for enhancing crop productivity and for safe, eco-friendly and for sustainable management of this economically important disease.

S. S. Kadam, D. G. Hingole, S. N. Banne, J. B. Bhalerao and G. Leona (2023). In vitro Bioefficacy of Fungal Endophytes against Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub). Butler causing Dry Root Rot of Chickpea. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(12): 81-85.