Trichoderma consortium - potential bio-pesticide for suppressing Cercospora leaf spot in Brinjal

The study was aimed to evaluate consortia of Trichoderma sp. (Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum) for the management of Cercospora leaf spot of brinjal under in vitro and field conditions. Under in vitro conditions, consortia of Trichoderma sp. was screened against all the four Cercospora sp. (Cercospora punicae, Cercospora brassicicola, Cercospora melongenae and Cercospora capsici). All the tested Cercospora sp. showed less than 50% inhibition except Cercospora melongenae which showed 51.2% inhibition. On the basis of in vitro results, Cercospora melongenae was selected for conducting field trial as it was maximumally inhibited by the consortia of Trichoderma sp. Results obtained from the field trials revealed that consortia of Trichoderma sp. was found effective to manage Cercospora leaf spot of brinjal. Besides it, consortia was found more effective than individual strain of Trichoderma.