Eco-Friendly Control of Soybean Wilt in Vidarbha Central India

In India soybean (Glycine max L.) is a key crop but Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. glycines causes severe wilt losses in Vidarbha Maharashtra. Chemical fungicides are harmful resistance-prone and often ineffective. This study explored eco-friendly management using indigenous Trichoderma spp. Thirty rhizospheric soil samples yielded 25 isolates showing diverse colony and spore traits. In dual culture TR2 TR3 and TR23 strongly inhibited Fusarium (71-78%) through hyphal coiling and mycoparasitism. Molecular analysis identified Trichoderma asperellum as dominant with few T. harzianum and T. koningii. Bioformulations were prepared with carriers; talc-based forms sustained >35 × 10⁶ CFU/g after 180 days. Greenhouse trials with soybean JS-335 showed TR2 reduced wilt from 91.5% to 28.3% (69% control) comparable to carbendazim while TR3 and TR23 were also effective. Trichoderma enhanced germination growth and vigour. Enzyme assays confirmed induction of systemic resistance (higher PO PPO PAL). Thus native T. asperellum especially TR2 offers a sustainable alternative to fungicides supporting Integrated Disease Management and eco-friendly soybean cultivation in Vidarbha.