Synergistic effects of Trichoderma and biochar on the biocontrol of two soil-borne phytopathogens in chickpeas

IntroductionThis study aims to identify and characterize four Trichoderma isolates using molecular techniques, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and volatile organic compounds (VOC) profiling.MethodsThe antagonistic activity of these isolates was assessed against Fusarium oxysporum f....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ranjna Kumari, Vipul Kumar, Bhupendra Koul, Mohammad Abul Farah, Awdhesh Kumar Mishra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Microbiology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1583114/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849325065067298816
author Ranjna Kumari
Vipul Kumar
Bhupendra Koul
Mohammad Abul Farah
Awdhesh Kumar Mishra
author_facet Ranjna Kumari
Vipul Kumar
Bhupendra Koul
Mohammad Abul Farah
Awdhesh Kumar Mishra
author_sort Ranjna Kumari
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis study aims to identify and characterize four Trichoderma isolates using molecular techniques, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and volatile organic compounds (VOC) profiling.MethodsThe antagonistic activity of these isolates was assessed against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (FOC) and Sclerotium rolfsii (SR) using a dual culture technique. The synergistic effect of Trichoderma harzianum (accession no. PP256488) combined with biochar (BC) was evaluated for plant growth enhancement and disease suppression. Four Trichoderma isolates (T. harzianum, T. asperellum, T. virens, and T. lixii) were identified through ITS region analysis, VOC profiling, and FTIR spectroscopy.ResultsMolecular analysis confirmed their distinct identities, and GC-MS analysis revealed 37 VOCs out of 162 with antipathogenic properties. Unique FTIR peaks were recorded at 3271.96 cm−1 for T. virens, 2800–2900 cm−1 for T. asperellum, and 2850–2950 cm−1 for both T. lixii and T. harzianum. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of T. harzianum revealed mycoparasitic structures, including hyphal coils, penetration holes, and appressoria, indicating effective pathogen interaction. The combined application of Trichoderma and biochar (T9) significantly enhanced root length (9.23 cm), plant height (26.03 cm), and root mass (43.33 g) in chickpea plants. Moreover, treatments (T9) and (T10) reduced the disease incidence in chickpeas, decreasing fusarium wilt by 27% and collar rot by 33%, respectively.ConclusionThis sustainable approach exhibits the potential of combined application of Trichoderma and biochar which can enhance plant growth and reduce disease incidence, and improve food security.
format Article
id doaj-art-c3d565b020aa4074b002b58879f737a7
institution Kabale University
issn 1664-302X
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Microbiology
spelling doaj-art-c3d565b020aa4074b002b58879f737a72025-08-20T03:48:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-05-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.15831141583114Synergistic effects of Trichoderma and biochar on the biocontrol of two soil-borne phytopathogens in chickpeasRanjna Kumari0Vipul Kumar1Bhupendra Koul2Mohammad Abul Farah3Awdhesh Kumar Mishra4Department of Botany, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, IndiaDepartment of Plant Pathology, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, IndiaDepartment of Biotechnology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, IndiaDepartment of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of KoreaIntroductionThis study aims to identify and characterize four Trichoderma isolates using molecular techniques, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and volatile organic compounds (VOC) profiling.MethodsThe antagonistic activity of these isolates was assessed against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (FOC) and Sclerotium rolfsii (SR) using a dual culture technique. The synergistic effect of Trichoderma harzianum (accession no. PP256488) combined with biochar (BC) was evaluated for plant growth enhancement and disease suppression. Four Trichoderma isolates (T. harzianum, T. asperellum, T. virens, and T. lixii) were identified through ITS region analysis, VOC profiling, and FTIR spectroscopy.ResultsMolecular analysis confirmed their distinct identities, and GC-MS analysis revealed 37 VOCs out of 162 with antipathogenic properties. Unique FTIR peaks were recorded at 3271.96 cm−1 for T. virens, 2800–2900 cm−1 for T. asperellum, and 2850–2950 cm−1 for both T. lixii and T. harzianum. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of T. harzianum revealed mycoparasitic structures, including hyphal coils, penetration holes, and appressoria, indicating effective pathogen interaction. The combined application of Trichoderma and biochar (T9) significantly enhanced root length (9.23 cm), plant height (26.03 cm), and root mass (43.33 g) in chickpea plants. Moreover, treatments (T9) and (T10) reduced the disease incidence in chickpeas, decreasing fusarium wilt by 27% and collar rot by 33%, respectively.ConclusionThis sustainable approach exhibits the potential of combined application of Trichoderma and biochar which can enhance plant growth and reduce disease incidence, and improve food security.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1583114/fullFTIR-ATR spectroscopyspectral signatureSEMTrichodermabiochar (BC)phytopathogens
spellingShingle Ranjna Kumari
Vipul Kumar
Bhupendra Koul
Mohammad Abul Farah
Awdhesh Kumar Mishra
Synergistic effects of Trichoderma and biochar on the biocontrol of two soil-borne phytopathogens in chickpeas
Frontiers in Microbiology
FTIR-ATR spectroscopy
spectral signature
SEM
Trichoderma
biochar (BC)
phytopathogens
title Synergistic effects of Trichoderma and biochar on the biocontrol of two soil-borne phytopathogens in chickpeas
title_full Synergistic effects of Trichoderma and biochar on the biocontrol of two soil-borne phytopathogens in chickpeas
title_fullStr Synergistic effects of Trichoderma and biochar on the biocontrol of two soil-borne phytopathogens in chickpeas
title_full_unstemmed Synergistic effects of Trichoderma and biochar on the biocontrol of two soil-borne phytopathogens in chickpeas
title_short Synergistic effects of Trichoderma and biochar on the biocontrol of two soil-borne phytopathogens in chickpeas
title_sort synergistic effects of trichoderma and biochar on the biocontrol of two soil borne phytopathogens in chickpeas
topic FTIR-ATR spectroscopy
spectral signature
SEM
Trichoderma
biochar (BC)
phytopathogens
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1583114/full
work_keys_str_mv AT ranjnakumari synergisticeffectsoftrichodermaandbiocharonthebiocontroloftwosoilbornephytopathogensinchickpeas
AT vipulkumar synergisticeffectsoftrichodermaandbiocharonthebiocontroloftwosoilbornephytopathogensinchickpeas
AT bhupendrakoul synergisticeffectsoftrichodermaandbiocharonthebiocontroloftwosoilbornephytopathogensinchickpeas
AT mohammadabulfarah synergisticeffectsoftrichodermaandbiocharonthebiocontroloftwosoilbornephytopathogensinchickpeas
AT awdheshkumarmishra synergisticeffectsoftrichodermaandbiocharonthebiocontroloftwosoilbornephytopathogensinchickpeas