EFFECT OF CULTURE FILTRATES OF TRICHODERMA SPP. ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH IN CHICKPEA – AN IN-VITRO STUDY

Abstract

Trichoderma species are known to produce a number of metabolites that play important role in plant growth, survival and also to enhance defence mechanism of their hosts against certain pathogens. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Trichoderma spp. on the growth activity in chickpea seedlings. Germination percentage of chickpea seeds was enhanced by some Trichoderma species culture extracts, the most active stimulators of seed germination were T. harzianum, T. viride and T. koningii extracts.  Results revealed that the maximum seedling root length was obtained by T. harzianum followed by T. viride and T. koningii. However, some species produced extracts that were detrimental to germination and plant growth. The lowest root growth was attained from T. reesei and T. aureoviride among other Trichoderma filtrate treatments. The greatest seedling shoot length was observed with T. harzianum and T. viride followed by T. koningii and T. pseudokoningii while other Trichoderma cultural filtrates significantly suppressed the shoot length as compare to control value (P < 0.05). Fresh and dry weight and of chickpea seedling was also significantly higher in Trichoderma treatments as compared to control (P < 0.05). However, in T. reesei and T. aureoviride treatment, fresh and dry weight of seedling was considerably lower where as T.  harzianum, T. viride and T. koningii had higher values for seedling dry matter. Results revealed that Trichoderma species are effective for growth parameters and can be used to further investigations and raise the yield of chickpea and other cereal crops.