Trichoderma for Lentil (Masoor): Natural Biofungicide for Root Rot Control, Wilt Management & Higher Yield
शेयर करना
Lentil (Lens culinaris), commonly known as Masoor, is an important pulse crop cultivated for its high protein content, nutritional value, and ability to improve soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. Healthy root development and efficient nodulation are essential for vigorous crop growth, flowering, pod development, and grain filling. However, lentil crops are highly susceptible to soil-borne fungal diseases that reduce plant stand, weaken root systems, and significantly affect yield.
Trichoderma is a beneficial fungal biofungicide that naturally protects lentil roots against harmful pathogens while promoting vigorous root growth and improving soil microbial activity. Species such as Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma asperellum, and Trichoderma koningii colonize the rhizosphere, suppress disease-causing fungi, and create favorable conditions for beneficial microorganisms, including Rhizobium leguminosarum, resulting in healthier plants and improved crop productivity.
Unlike chemical fungicides that provide only temporary disease suppression, Trichoderma establishes itself around the root zone, providing long-lasting biological protection while improving nutrient availability and soil health.
Benefits of Trichoderma in Lentil
- Improves seed germination and uniform crop establishment.
- Protects seedlings from damping-off and early fungal infections.
- Promotes vigorous root growth and extensive root branching.
- Suppresses root rot, collar rot, and wilt pathogens.
- Enhances nodulation when used with compatible Rhizobium leguminosarum inoculants.
- Improves biological nitrogen fixation.
- Increases nutrient and water uptake.
- Encourages healthy vegetative growth.
- Improves flowering and pod formation.
- Enhances grain filling and seed quality.
- Increases seed size and grain weight.
- Improves drought tolerance and environmental stress resistance.
- Enhances beneficial microbial activity in the rhizosphere.
- Reduces dependence on chemical fungicides.
- Improves long-term soil fertility and sustainability.
Diseases Managed
Trichoderma helps suppress several important soil-borne diseases affecting lentil, including:
- Damping-off
- Root Rot
- Fusarium Wilt
- Collar Rot
- Seed Rot
- Seedling Blight
- Rhizoctonia Root Rot
- Pythium Root Rot
- Dry Root Rot (Macrophomina phaseolina)
- Sclerotium Stem Rot
Mode of Action
Trichoderma protects lentil through multiple biological mechanisms:
- Rapidly colonizes the rhizosphere before pathogens establish.
- Competes with disease-causing fungi for nutrients and space.
- Produces enzymes such as chitinase and glucanase that degrade fungal cell walls.
- Releases natural antifungal metabolites that inhibit pathogen growth.
- Directly parasitizes harmful fungi through mycoparasitism.
- Activates the plant's natural defense system (Induced Systemic Resistance).
- Stimulates root branching and increases root biomass.
- Improves soil microbial diversity and supports beneficial nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
These biological activities provide season-long disease protection while improving plant growth and productivity.
Recommended Application
Seed Treatment
Treat lentil seed with 8–10 g of Trichoderma powder per kg of seed before sowing.
If Rhizobium inoculant is used, first apply Trichoderma, allow the seed to dry in the shade, and then apply the Rhizobium inoculant according to the recommended procedure.
Soil Application
Mix 2–4 kg per acre of Trichoderma powder with 50–100 kg of well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) or compost and broadcast uniformly before sowing.
Furrow Application
Apply Trichoderma-enriched compost directly into seed furrows to establish beneficial fungi around developing roots.
Drip Irrigation
Where irrigation systems are available, liquid Trichoderma formulations may be applied through drip irrigation or irrigation water according to the manufacturer's recommendations.