2019, Vol. 1, Issue 1
Evaluation of the efficacy of compost enriched with Trichoderma spp. on the growth and disease suppression of Solanum melongena L.
Author(s): N. Hewavitharana*, S.D.P. Kannangara, L.R. Jayasekera and D.M.P.S. Dissanayake
Affiliation: *Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Abstract: Trichoderma spp. are fast growing fungi, widely used as bio-controlling agents for controlling soil-borne diseases of plants. They also act as growth promoters. The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of compost enriched with three
Trichoderma spp. (
T. virens,
T. harzianum and
T. asperullum) on the growth and disease suppression in
Solanum melongena. In an
in-vitro study,
Trichoderma spp. were tested as a potential bio-control agents against the fungal diseases caused by
Fusarium oxysporum and
Rhizoctonia solani. The three selected
Trichoderma spp.
were mass-produced separately, in 250 g of sawdust as carrier material. They were incorporated into the prepared compost medium (1:1:2:2:2 ratio of cow dung, poultry rice husk,
Panicum maximum,
Tithonia diversifolia and
Mikania scandens) at higher frequencies. Effect of
Trichoderma- amended compost on plant growth was evaluated using
Solanum melongena by measuring several growth parameters and disease incidence for 60 days after planting in the field. The data were statistically analyzed using MINITAB 16 version, statistical package. The highest mean plant height (75.8±2.25 cm), number of flowers per plant (18±2) and fruits yield (18.5±3.25 t ha
-1) were observed from the prepared compost medium with
Trichoderma amendments.
Solanum melongena planted without
Trichoderma treatment in the field was shown significantly lower (p<0.05)growth parameters than that of others.
Solanum melongena treated by
Trichoderma amended compost medium showed a significantly lower (p<0.05)disease incidence (12%) compared with untreated controls. The results indicated that the compost incorporated with
Trichoderma enhanced plant growth and disease tolerance, particularly by reducing soil-borne diseases caused by
Fusarium oxysporum and
Rhizoctonia solani in
Solanum melongena.
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