Potential native Trichoderma strains against Fusarium verticillioides causing post flowering stalk rot in winter maize

Fusarium spp. complex, (Fusarium verticillioides, F. subglutinans, moniliforme, graminearum) causing post flowering stalk rot (PFSR), has been reported as a serious disease in southern Rajasthan, and eastern Gujarat winter maize. In the present study, emphasis laid on efficacy of twenty seven Trichoderma strains against verticillioides which is major causal organism. Efficacy evaluation was based radial growth pathogen presence biological control agent (BCA). Based per cent inhibition three potential native spp (Trichoderma harzianum BThr29, T. asperellum BTas25, erinaceum BTer43) were selected for PFSR field. BTer43 showed by 87.8, 83.9, 81.1 percent respectively. Maize plants artificially inoculated with delivered soil application enriched FYM 10 tones ha−1), seed treatment (10 g/kg seeds), drenching g/liter water). Split stem observation at harvest crop restricted lesion BThr29 treated plant par fungicidal an average mean rating scale 1–1.3, less than 50% discoloration internode. control, 3–3.4 51–75% internode discolored. Application improved stand reducing lodging from 42.1 to 71.1% maize plants, reduced severity 17.58 62.37%, Fungicidal 57.91 77.78% 58.24–64.35% compared untreated control. The results obtained suggested that be used non-chemical alternative management crops.