Isolation and Inoculation Effect of Trichoderma reesei on Growth and Yield of Barley

Abstract

In today’s world, usage of chemical fertilizers has become necessity for betterment of crop yield; however they have negative impact on the environment, quality of soil and human health. Therefore, involvement of substitute for chemical fertilizers is an essential requirement of present time. Plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF) serves as a best alternative in place of chemicals to enhance plant growth, crop productivity and improve nutrients availability for plants. They also show an involvement in ceasing growth of plant pathogens, hence acting as a bio control agent. The aim of our study is to screen and examine plant growth promoting fungi effect on barley crop. A total seven fungal strains were isolated from wheat rhizosphere. The isolated fungal strains were screened for their In vitro plant growth promotional traits. Among total, one isolate 14F found positive for five different plant growth promoting traits. This isolate was further identified at molecular level by amplification and sequencing of ITS gene region and was identified as Trichoderma reesei. Trichoderma reesei was inoculated with barley seeds and its effects were analyzed. Significant increase was observed in terms of plant height (root length and shoot length), plant weight (Dry and wet weight) as compared to un-inoculated plants. This Trichoderma strain could become a fantastic bio-fertilizer for sustainable agriculture.