Screening of Trichoderma spp Against Lasiodiplodia theobromae Causing Fruit Rot of Elaeocarpus munronii

Six Trichoderma species (T. viride, T. harzianum, T. pseudokoningii, T. koningii, T. virens and T. hamatum) were tested for their efficacy to inhibit the growth of Lasiodiplodia theobromae, pathogen of fruit rot of Elaeocarpus munronii through dual culture and in vitro production of volatile and non-volatile metabolites. These isolates varied in their growth rate, production of spores and metabolites and in antagonistic ability against the pathogen. All six species showed effective inhibition (>50%) against pathogen in dual culture. Fast growing isolates were better than slow growing isolates in inhibiting the pathogen by non-volatile metabolite production, where as slow growing isolates inhibited the pathogen significantly by production of more volatile metabolites. T. virens and T. hamatum were effective in inhibiting the pathogen in both dual culture and by producing volatile metabolites and T. pseudokoningii was the effective inhibitor of pathogen through non-volatile metabolite production. Therefore, growth rate and production of spores are crucial factors involved in the determination of the antagonistic capability of Trichoderma species against L. theobromae.