Biocontrol fitness of an indigenous trichoderma viride, isolate NRCL T-01 against fusarium solani and alternaria alternata causing diseases in Litchi (Litchi chinensis)

Biological control represents an important approach to manage plant diseases. Blights of leaf, panicle and fruits caused by Alternaria alternata and the wilt caused by Fusarium solani are important diseases of litchi. Hence, as an alternative to chemical fungicides, biological control by Trichoderma spp. to manage pathogens of litchi was explored. The aim of this study was to isolate native Trichoderma spp. from litchi orchard ecosystem and to evaluate antagonistic potential and its biological fitness so as to develop a commercial formulation for field application to manage litchi diseases.