Farm Level Evaluation of Trichoderma Enriched Organic Substrates for Improved Field Establishment and Yield Enhancement in Chillies (Capsicum annuum L.)
S. Kalavathi *
ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Kayamkulam 690533, Kerala, India.
Merin Babu
ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Kayamkulam 690533, Kerala, India.
Jeena Mathew
ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Kayamkulam 690533, Kerala, India.
S. Indhuja
ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Kayamkulam 690533, Kerala, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Trichoderma sp. is extensively used for controlling several soil and seed bornefungal plant pathogens and for enhancing crop growth and yield. But the field efficacy depends on several factors viz., proper formulation, an efficient delivery system, methods of applicationand environmental conditions. The performance and persistence in field to a greater extent is decided by the carriers or substrates used for mass multiplication. In a field trial undertaken on the varied performance of Trichoderma sp. involving different substrate combinations on the yield of chillies by ICAR-CPCRI for the period, April, 2014 to June 2016 two combinations, viz., Cowdung + Neem cake (4:1) and Coir pith compost + Neem cake + Poultry Manure + Cowdung (2:1:1:1) were found to be superior when enriched with Trichodermaharzianum (CPTD 28) as well as native isolate, Trichoderma sp. KKTD 6.
Keywords: Enrichment, organic substrates, Trichoderma sp.