Compatibility of potassium phosphonate (Akomin- 40) with different species of Trichoderma and Gliocladium virens

Abstract

Biocontrol agents viz.,. Trichoderma spp and Gliocladium virens showed varying degrees of inhibition on growth of Phytophthora capsici, the foot rot pathogen of black pepper. Potassium phosphonate (Akomin), an antifungal compound has been found to check root rot in black pepper. In integrated disease management programme, compatibility of biocontrol agents with the fungicide is crucial. In the present study sensitivity of 8 species of Trichoderma and one species of Gliocladium to potassium phosphonate was tested. No significant effect was noticed even at concentration as high as 1200 ppm.of potassium posphonate, while in Trichoderma aureoviride and in Trichoderma pseudokoningii, increased sporulation was noticed with potassium phosphonate compared to control. Of the isolates tested Gliocladium virens, Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma hamatum were found effective in the inhibition of the pathogen. These isolates showed different degrees of protection against root rot. The present results clearly established the compatibility of biocontrol agents with potassium phosphonate, which forms a component in the integrated disease management programme.