This study investigated the antagonistic activity of Trichoderma asperellum against chickpea Fusarium wilt through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The dual culture test showed that Trichoderma had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of the tested Fusarium isolates, with an inhibition rate ranging from 71.33% to 80.66%. The volatile and non-volatile metabolites produced by Trichoderma also showed antagonistic effects, with a growth inhibition rate ranging from 47.33% to 51.33% and a colonization rate ranging from 60% to 67%. In vivo experiments demonstrated that treating chickpea seeds with Trichoderma asperellum 48 h after inoculation with Fusarium significantly enhanced chickpea growth compared to seeds inoculated with Fusarium alone. Arial part length enhancement ranged between 69.3% and 92,19% while root length increased by 61,9% and 127%, this implied a significant improvement in biomass. These findings highlight Trichoderma's potential in controlling chickpea Fusarium wilt and enhancing plant growth, making it an environmentally friendly method in sustainable agriculture and crop protection.
Keywords: Antagonistic activity; Chickpea; Fusarium; Trichoderma.
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