Centre : Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad
Name of the technology :
A thermotolerant, symbiotic Trichoderma asperellum Ta DOR 7316 WP (MTCC No. 5623) formulation for use as biocontrol agent, defense inducer and plant growth promoter
Thermotolerant strain of Trichoderma asperellum TaDOR 7316 was isolated from rhizosphere soils of soybean crop from Rajasthan. Trichoderma asperellum TaDOR7316 at its hyphal stage can tolerate high temperature due to accumulation of more quantities of osmoprotectants. Through proteomic and transcriptome studies, proteins and genes that are significantly up regulated under stress conditions were identified. T. asperellum TaDOR7316 can colonize root cortex and induce defense response in treated plants. The strain possessed biocontrol efficacy against fusarial wilt and Phytophthora damping off in castor and safflower. Data on bioefficacy, shelf life and toxicology generated for registration with CIB that enables commercial exploitation by the biopesticide industry. As seed coating agent @10g/kg seed Trichoderma asperellum TaDOR7316 will have high economic value as high crop yield can be achieved in rainfed agriculture and drought conditions. The isolate could survive high temperature at both hyphal and sporulation stages of its life cycle. It could also retain its usual morphological characteristics after recovery from heat stress conditions.
Protects crops against variety of diseases and promotes plant growth. The thermotolerant strain is able to antagonize plant pathogenic fungi. It produces extracellular enzymes viz., chitinases, glucanases, cellulases and amylases and plant growth promoting substances that help in control of fungal disease and plant growth promotion.
Shelf life of the fungus in powder formulation is more than 16 months at room temperature compared to 6 months shelf life of similar products available in the market. It is a superior strain having broad spectrum abilities viz., endophytic root colonization, defense induction against wilt and root rot diseases.
Status of Commercialization : Applied for patent