Trichoderma for Green Gram (Moong): Natural Biofungicide for Root Rot Control, Healthy Nodulation & Higher Yield

Trichoderma for Green Gram (Moong): Natural Biofungicide for Root Rot Control, Healthy Nodulation & Higher Yield

Green gram (Moong) is a high-value pulse crop known for its protein-rich grains, short crop duration, and ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through beneficial root nodules. Healthy root development and active nodulation are critical for rapid vegetative growth, flowering, pod formation, and grain filling. However, green gram is highly vulnerable to soil-borne fungal diseases during germination and early crop growth, which can significantly reduce plant population and yield.

Trichoderma is a beneficial fungal biofungicide that naturally protects green gram roots against harmful pathogens while stimulating stronger 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 a favorable environment for beneficial microorganisms, including Rhizobium, resulting in healthier plants and higher productivity.

Unlike chemical fungicides, Trichoderma remains active around the root zone throughout the crop cycle, providing continuous biological protection while enhancing soil fertility.

Benefits of Trichoderma in Green Gram

  • Improves seed germination and rapid crop establishment.
  • Protects seedlings from damping-off and early fungal infections.
  • Promotes vigorous and deeper root development.
  • Suppresses root rot and collar rot pathogens.
  • Enhances nodulation when used with compatible Rhizobium inoculants.
  • Improves biological nitrogen fixation.
  • Increases nutrient and moisture uptake.
  • Encourages healthy vegetative growth.
  • Improves flowering and pod setting.
  • Enhances pod filling and grain quality.
  • Increases seed size and grain weight.
  • Improves drought tolerance and plant resilience.
  • Enhances beneficial microbial populations in the rhizosphere.
  • Reduces dependence on chemical fungicides.
  • Improves long-term soil fertility and productivity.

Diseases Managed

Trichoderma helps suppress several important soil-borne diseases affecting green gram, including:

  • Damping-off
  • Root Rot
  • Collar Rot
  • Seed Rot
  • Seedling Blight
  • Rhizoctonia Root Rot
  • Fusarium Root Rot
  • Pythium Root Rot
  • Dry Root Rot (Macrophomina phaseolina)
  • Sclerotium Stem Rot

Mode of Action

Trichoderma protects green gram through several biological mechanisms:

  • Rapidly colonizes the rhizosphere before pathogens establish.
  • Competes with harmful fungi for nutrients and root space.
  • Produces enzymes such as chitinase and glucanase that degrade fungal cell walls.
  • Releases natural antifungal metabolites that inhibit pathogen growth.
  • Directly parasitizes pathogenic fungi through mycoparasitism.
  • Activates the plant's natural defense system (Induced Systemic Resistance).
  • Stimulates root branching and root biomass.
  • Improves soil microbial diversity and supports beneficial nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

These combined biological actions provide season-long disease protection while promoting healthy crop development.

Recommended Application

Seed Treatment

Treat green gram 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 culture as recommended.

Soil Application

Mix 2–4 kg per acre of Trichoderma powder with 50–100 kg of well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) or compost and apply uniformly before sowing.

Furrow Application

Apply Trichoderma-enriched compost directly into seed furrows to establish beneficial fungi around the developing root zone.

Drip Irrigation

Compatible liquid Trichoderma formulations may be applied through drip irrigation or irrigation water according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

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