Physiological characteristics and effectiveness of some trichoderma isolates against fusarium basal rot of shallot

Abstract

Trichoderma is one of the fungal biological agents used to control fusarium basal rot disease on shallot. The use of Trichoderma sp. can reduce the negative impact on the environment and humans due to the use of synthetic chemical fungicides. This study aimed to characterize the physiological characteristics of some Trichoderma sp. and assess the potential in controlling Fusarium oxysporum on shallot. This research consisted of various tests, such as phosphate solubilization, chitinolytic activity, antibiosis, IAA production, and growth promoting tests, including germination percentage, plant height, and root length. There were eight isolates of Trichoderma originating from various species of plants in the field. They were T. hamatum 1, T. hamatum 2, T. asperellum, T. harzianum, T. pseudokoningii, Trichoderma rice, Trichoderma T01, and Trichoderma T02. All isolates did not react positively to the indole acetic acid (IAA) and antibiosis tests. Conversely, all isolates showed a positive reaction in the chitinolytic activity, except T. hamatum. Isolates Trichoderma T01 and Trichoderma T02 reacted positively to phosphate dissolution. Trichoderma T02 had the best germination rate and plant height compared to all isolates, with values of 90% and 6.00 ± 0.96, respectively. Trichoderma rice has the best root length compared to all isolates 8.