Consortium of compatible Trichoderma isolates mediated elicitation of immune response in Solanum melongena after challenge with Sclerotium rolfsii

Abstract

Biocontrol agents contribute to the multifaceted benefits associated with sustainable agriculture. In the current study, Solanum melongena seeds were subjected to single as well as consortial application of two compatible Trichoderma isolates (BHU51 and BHU105) for assessment of growth promotion and defence induction against Sclerotium rolfsii. Minimum damping-off (19.67%) was recorded in Trichoderma consortium treated seeds as compared to the pathogen inoculated control (56.67%). Physiological assays suggested an overall increase in phenolic content, particularly shikimic acid (SA), gallic acid (GA), t-cholorogenic acid (CHA) and syringic acid (SGA) in Trichoderma consortia treated plants upon S. rolfsii infection. In addition, defence-related enzymes and antioxidants also showed significantly higher activities in Trichoderma-treated hosts, especially upon application of the consortium. Thus, the above study provides a comparative evaluation of individual as well as consortial application of Trichoderma isolates on host physiology, an indispensible step towards sustainable agriculture. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.