Biological control of charcoal rot of Jowar with the use of Trichoderma species

Charcoal rot of jowar (Sorghum bicolor L.) is caused by Macrophomina phaseolina Tassi (Goid). Attempts have been made during present investigation to manage this disease with the help of Trichoderma spp. Antagonistic activities of five Trichoderma species viz. Trichoderma viride, T. koningii, T. virens, T. harzianum and T. pseudokoningii were tested against M. phaseolina. Almost all Trichoderma species were found to be antagonist resulting in 42.11 to 68.88 % inhibition in the in vitro growth of the pathogen under laboratory conditions. Under field condition, due to the seed treatment, it minimized the incidence of charcoal rot disease of jowar. It is concluded that the use of effective strains of Trichoderma spp can be a useful in integrated management of charcoal rot in jowar.