Page 361 - e-Book

Effect of Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma viride on Growth Promotion of

Selected Dicot Plants

Harshinisree G, Tharani K and Dr. Uma E*

Assistant Professor of Botany, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women,
Coimbatore-641004

Email of corresponding author: euma@psgrkcw.ac.in

ABSTRACT
Plants get easily affected by biotic factors such as bacteria, fungi and other

microorganisms. In order to protect the plant from such factors, plant growth promoting

rhizobacteria and fungi are used. In this work, Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma viride were
used for the crop improvement. B. subtilis is a gram positive, aerobic and endospore forming

rhizobacteria that promotes plant growth and development. T. viride is used for suppression

of diseases caused by fungal pathogens. It is a major plant growth-promoting fungus and
helps in transformation of soil nutrients. The plant material chosen were Lablab purpureus

L., Vigna radiata L., Cicer arietinum L. Capsicum annuum L. The seeds were treated in 3
different ways with four proportions (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%). It is treated separately with Bacillus,

Trichoderma and a combination of both Bacillus and Trichoderma in 1:1 ratio. The results
obtained were, Cicer arietinum showed its best growth in 2% of Bacillus with 83.3% of seed

germination rate. Capsicum annuum showed its best growth in 4% of both Bacillus and

Trichoderma with 100% of seed germination rate. Vigna radiata showed its best growth in
4% of Trichoderma with 91.66% of seed germination rate. Lablab purpureus showed its best

growth in 4% of both Bacillus and Trichoderma with 83.3% seed germination rate. The
control was grown in the normal red soil in which Chickpeas showed shoot length of about

21.3cm, seed germination rate of about 66.6%, Chillies showed seed germination rate of

about 50%, Mung bean showed germination of about 49.9% and Lablab showed average
germination of about rate of about 75%. The soil test revealed that red soil with Bacillus,

Trichoderma and Coconut water is rich in nitrogen with 2.99%. phosphorus 0.10% and
potassium 0.96%. Hence use of these fertilizers enhances soil fertility and promotes faster

growth. It also protects the plant from bacterial and fungal attack. The main objective of the

study is to protect the plant from soil borne pathogens, to increase their growth level and to
stimulate the plant to activate their natural resistance.

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