Influence of soil and nutritional factors on the effectivity of Trichoderma harzianum against sheath blight of rice

Influence of different soil types, pH, nutritional levels and organic amendments on the effectivity of T. harzianum was evaluated to manage sheath blight of rice in nursery, under glasshouse conditions. Maximum seedling emergence and reduction in sheath blight severity and incidence were noticed with the bioagent applied in clay loam soil. Efficacy of T. harzianum against the disease was minimum in sandy loam soil. Effectivity of T. harzianum on sheath blight was more in soil having low pH (5.2) as compared to neutral (7.00) and high soil pH (8.5). Soil application of zinc reduced the effectivity of fungal bioagent against the disease. Incorporation of T. harzianum in soil having soil nutrition of P120 and K40 showed maximum reduction of the disease. Incorporation of neem cake and bioagent in the soil was more effective in reducing sheath blight.