Compatibility of Fungal Antagonists Filtrates Against Germination of Powdery Mildew Spores, Leveillula taurica (Lev.) Arn. of Bell Pepper

RESULTS

Among the antagonist filtrates tested, in vitro, filtrates of both the species of Trichoderma viz., T. harizianum and T. viride inhibited the maximum germination of asexual spores of Leveillula taurica. The results found significant at p = 0.05 (Table 1).

Table 1:	Influence of PDB and TSM alone and culture filtrates of T. harizianum and T. viride against spore germination of Leveillula taurica
CD (p = 0.05%): 0.137, S.Em±0.049, * SDW = Single Distilled water; PDB = Potato Dextrose Broth; TSM =Trichoderma Specific Medium; T. h = Trichoderma harizianum; T.v = T. viride, ** Mean of five replications Figures in parentheses are Squire root transformed values

Fig. 1:	Percent germination of powdery mildew spores against different temperatures (°C)

Fig. 2:	Percent germination of powdery mildew spores against different relative humidity (%)

Influence of PDB and TSM against spore germination of Leveillula taurica: When powdery mildew spores were allowed to germinate over PDB, there was highly significant difference was observed between concentrations. Form the Table 1 it is clear, as the concentration of PDB increases the mean percent germination increased gradually and the maximum conidial spore germination recorded was 65.5% in undiluted PDB as against 30.5% in control which is single distilled water alone. Similar trend was observed in the TSM, recording maximum conidial spore germination of 68.5% when the medium was taken without any dilution.

Trichoderma harzianum filtrate on PDB and TSM, against powdery mildew spore germination: Deprived germination of powdery mildew spores was observed against T. harzianum culture filtrates. The maximum spore germination of 1.25 and 2% was recorded in 95:5 μL (SDW: T. harzianum filtrate) T. h filtrates of PDB and TSM, respectively. A consistent percent germination of conidia was recorded in control, throughout the experiment i.e., 30.5%. However, no conidial spore germination was observed in any of the T. harzianum filtrate concentrations above 70:30 μL (SDW: T. harzianum filtrate) indicating complete inhibition of conidial germination even after the extended time of incubation (Table 1).

Trichoderma viride filtrate on PDB and TSM, against powdery mildew spore germination: A similar trend as in T. harzianum, was observed in Trichoderma viride filtrates on PDB and TSM (Table 1), against spore germination was recorded a maximum of 2.25 and 3% mean, respectively, in 95:05 μL (SDW: T. viride filtrate) T. viride filtrates of PDB and TSM. Complete conidial spore inhibition was recorded form the concentrations above 90:10 μL (SDW: T. harzianum filtrate) of T. viride culture filtrate.

However, among the cultures filtrates T. harzianum on both the media i.e., PDB and TSM performed better in inhibiting germination of powdery mildew spores and could able to limit the percent germination 1.25 and 2 in PDB and TSM, respectively. In contrast, maximum of 2.25 and 3% germination was observed in T. viride, respectively in PDB and TSM.

In our other set of study significant result obtained, when powdery mildew conidial spores allowed to germinate over different media (Table 2).

Table 2:	Percent germination of powdery mildew spores against different media
CD (p = 0.05%): 1.18, * Mean of four replications, Figures in parentheses are Squire root transformed values, Similar alphabet letters do not show significant difference

A maximum percent germination of 66.5 was observed on 5% sucrose solution followed by 2% sucrose recording 61.5% against 32, 35.5 and 39.5% in sterile water, distilled water and tap water, respectively.

A comprehensive study revealed among different temperatures (°C) tested against spore germination at 50% RH, in 5% sucrose solution; the maximum conidial spore germination of 66.8% at 20°C was recorded as a peak in the graph. As the temperature increased the percent germination was also increased upto 20°C and it drastically declined to no-percent germination at 35°C (Fig. 1).

It is clear from the curve (Fig. 2) of percent conidial sore germination against relative humidity (%) that percent germination gradually increased when the relative humidity (%) increased keeping the temperature constant (20°C) upto 80% RH and gradually declined. A peak of 89% of conidial spore germination was observed at 80% RH followed by 85.8% in 70% RH.

DISCUSSION

Spore germination implies a change form an inactive to active growing condition. This is accomplished in most fungi by the formation of germ tube (that is germinability); In one set of our experiment, where powdery mildew spores were tested for its better germinability against different media. Among that, sucrose found to be the best at its 5 and 2% concentrations. Similarly, Biju (2000) observed maximum spore germination of Erysiphe polygoni DC. in 5% sucrose solution. Based on this results, germinability at different temperatures and humidity were carried out in 5% sucrose solution in which 80% RH reported to be best at 20°C. Carroll and Willcox (2003) data suggested that germination frequency of Uncinula nector conidia in vitro (grape seedlings) feel sharply at RH levels above a mean of 87%.

Based on the present investigations, in both the mediums viz., PDB and TSM, there is more than two fold increase in mean per cent germination of powdery mildew spores when compared with control. When PDB and TSM were inoculated with T. harzianum, later powdery mildew spores were allowed for germination in its filtrates resulted in significantly poor spore germination at very low concentrations (90:10 SDW:T.h/T.v filtrate). The fungal antagonist filtrate completely inhibited conidial spore germination above 80:20 to 0:100 (SDW:T.h/T.v filtrate) concentrations. The volatile metabolites produced by Trichoderma sp. could inhibit the conidial spore germination, Mannina et al. (1997) isolated new tetracyclic direrpene (C₂OH₂8O₂) from culture filtrates of T. viride was found as a strong inhibitor of fungal growth and spore germination. However, there was no significant difference found between the two Trichoderma sp. in inhibiting the powdery mildew spore germination. Over all, the antagonist fungal filtrates were found significant in inhibiting germination of Leveillula taurica conidial spores. Rajakumar et al. (2005) observed similar results when they conducted bioassay with culture filtrates of T. viride, Chaetomium globosum and Acremonium implicatum resulted in significant inhibition of Pycnidiospore germination of Ascochyta rabiei. The present study would form an important component in our future research programmes that aims to control powdery mildews of different crops of horticultural importance.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to the Prof. Udaya Kumar and Dr. Rohini, G.K.V.K, Bangalore for the facilities and encouragement provided during the course of the study.