Journal of SOIL BIOLOGY and ECOLOGY

Management of Aspergillus sp. using Trichoderma harzianum in Chilli cropping system

Authors: R. LAKSHMIPATHY, S.V.S. GOPALA SWAMY AND D. BHASKARA RAO

Abstract:

The aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus makes the red chillies unfit for consumption as it is a toxin and also carcinogenic. Aspergillus sp. infection starts in the field before harvest and produces aflatoxin during storage. Hence, managing the Aspergillus growth in the field is essential. A field experiment was carried out to control soil’s Aspergillus population during crop growth using Trichoderma harzianum. Application of T.harzianum effectively reduced the population of Aspergillus sp. in the soil. Reduction in population was more when T.harzianum was applied @ 5.0 kg/acre (10x103 CFU/g) compared to application of T.harzianum @ 2.5kg/acre ((15x103 CFU/ g), recommended dose of compost application ((110x103 CFU/g) and absolute control ((140x103 CFU/g). Further, the chilli fruits harvested from the plots treated with T.harzianum @ 5.0kg/acre and 2.5kg/acre contained less Aspergillus population than the control plots applied with only compost. The Aspergillus population in fruits harvested from plots applied with T.harzianum @ 5.0 kg/acre was 8.99x102 CFU/g. In the case of fruits harvested from plots applied with T.harzianum @ 2.5 kg/acre, it was 11.33x102 CFU/g, and 12.33x102 CFU/g in the case of fruits harvested from plots applied only compost. In the control case, the fruit’s Aspergillus population was 16.66x102 CFU/g. This study elucidated the possibility of reducing the Aspergillus population effectively in soil and on chilli fruits due to the application of T.harzianum to soil at the time of transplanting at the rate of 5kg/acre.

References:

Coker, R., 1999. Mycotoxins—the silent threat to human and animal health. Chatham, Kent, University of Greenwich, 52 p.

Flint, H.M., Parks, N.J., Holmes, J.E., Jones, J.A. and Higuera, C.M., 1995. Tests of garlic oil for the control of the silver leaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolia Bellows and Perring (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in cotton. South Western Entomol., 20: 137–150.

Hua, S.S., 2004. Field assessment of an effective yeast strain to control aflatoxin producing fungus, Aspergillus flavus: California Conference on Biological Control. Pp. 154-156.

Krishnamurthy, Y.L. and Shashikala, J., 2006. Inhibition of aflatoxin B, production of Aspergillus flavus, isolated from soybean seeds by certain natural plant products. Let. Appl. Microbiol., 43:469-474.

Kurtzman, C.P., Hon, B.W. and Hesseltine.,1987. Aspergillus nomius a new aflatoxin producing species related to Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus tamari. Antonie Van Leewenhock, 53: 147-158.

Lakshmipathy, R and Bhaskara Rao, D., 2013. Aspergillus sp. Infestation pattern in chilli fruits and their control during storage. X National Symposiun on Soil Biology and Ecology from 19th 21st Dec., 2013 at UAS, Bangalore. p 52.

Lillehoj, E.B., 1987. The aflatoxin-in-maize problem. The historical perspective. In:Aflatoxin in maize;Proc. Workshop (Eds.) M.S. Zuber, E.B.Lillehoj and B.L.Renfro, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, Mixico. D.F., pp-13-32.

Raper, K.B. and Fennell, D.I. 1965. The genus Aspergillus. Williams and Wilkins, company Baltimore, Maryland. 686 p.

Singh, A.N., Roy, M.S. and Roy, A.K., 2008. Antagonistic Interaction between toxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus and co-existing fungi of maize rhizosphere. Ind. Phytopath., 61: 297-301.

Venkatasubbaiah, P and Safeeulla, K. M., 1984. Aspergillus niger for biological control of Rhizoctonia solani on coffee seedlings. Trop. Pest Manage., 30:401-406.