Increasing the efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum for nutrient uptake and control of red rot in sugarcane

Abstract

The application of Trichoderma multiplied culture (TMC) of T. harzianum strain Th 37 @ 20 kg/ha on the stubbles at the ratoon initiation stage increased the availability of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) by 27, 65 and 44%, respectively. Availability of some of the micronutrients viz., Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn were also enhanced, respectively by 6, 100, 79 and 66%. There was a considerable increase in organic carbon (55%) with concomitant decrease in soil pH (6%).There was significant difference in nutrient uptake between highly red rot susceptible variety (CoLk 7710) and moderately resistant variety (CoS 96268). The increase of N uptake was more in susceptible CoLk 7701 (69%) where as the uptake was only 45% in moderately resistant CoS 96268. P uptake increased by 96% in CoLk 7701 and 69% in CoS 96268. K uptake increased 128% over control of CoLk 7701 and 59% in CoS 96268. The level of protection against red rot increased up to 78% in combination with TMC + salicylic acid (SA) and 86% with metabolites + SA where as the protection was 60 and 71%, respectively with TMC and metabolites. Application of TMC + SA resulted in significant growth promotion through improvement in ratoon initiation (15%), number of tillers (8%), cane height (5%), girth (4%), number of internode (8%), length of internode (2%), single cane weight (5%) and number of millable cane (4%) which was reflected in the improvement in average yield by 23%.   Key words: Sugarcane, Trichoderma harzianum, red rot, Colletotrichum falcatum, biocontrol, nutrient uptake, salicylic acid, agrochemicals, growth promotion, management.