Foliar application of Trichoderma hamatum enhances grains yield and suppress rice blast severity

Abstract

In recent years, rice demand has been on the increase while its production is decreasing due to biotic and abiotic stresses. Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae remains the major biotic factor affecting smallholder rice farmers. This fungal disease cause 60-100% yield losses in rice production, thus leading to food insecurity especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, the disease is managed through prophylactic application of synthetic fungicides which are not environmentally friendly. Thus, the use of biopesticide may offer a sustainable management strategy. In this study, the efficacy of Trichoderma hamatum was assessed against rice blast disease through seeds-priming, roots dipping and foliar sprayed at 5ml/20L of water in the greenhouse. Data was collected on disease incidence and severity, tiller number, height, grains yield and dry root and shoot weights. The disease was scored on a scale of 0-10. Log transformed data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance in GenStat 14^th edition. The treatments means were separated using Tukeys studentized test. The results of this study indicates that the mode of application of T. hamatum had significant influence on rice blast severity on the leaves and panicles (P<0.006) and (P<0.001) respectively. The lowest blast severity was recorded in the foliar sprayed rice plants, compared to seeds-priming, roots dipping and control. The difference in leaf blast severity was significant between the foliar sprayed to that of seeds-priming, roots dipping and control. This study also revealed that the mode of delivery of T. hamatum was important in influencing grains yield of the rice (P<0.001). The highest grains yield was recorded in the foliar sprayed rice. Therefore, this study suggests that there is a potential in the use of foliar spray of T. hamatum in the management of rice blast and the enhancement grains yield of rice.