Role of Trichoderma viride in chickpea wilt

The growth parameters of chickpea i.e. root-shoot length and seedling vigour index was significantly increased with Trichoderma viride seed treatment. Seed treatment @ 8 g per kg gave maximum control of chickpea wilt. The exophytic survival of Trichoderma viride in chickpea was determined from the rhizospheric soil .The population of the bioagent increased throughout the crop growth period and maximum colonies were recorded at 8 g followed by 6 and 4 g of seed treatment. Trichoderma viride colonized and penetrated into the roots and was able to survive endophytically in chickpea up to 60 days. The seed treatment with the bioagent increased the level of PR proteins viz., ¿-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and pheylalanine ammonia-lyase in different chickpea varieties and it was maximum in resistant varieties than the susceptible one.