Potential of seed biopriming with Trichoderma in ameliorating salinity stress and providing resistance against leaf blast disease in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.)

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is an important nutri-cereal crop which is sensitive to salinity and vulnerable to blast disease caused by Magnaporthe grisea. The present study was therefore aimed to explore the potential of seed biopriming with four salinity tolerant Trichoderma isolates (TRU-21, TRU-14, TRU-33 and TRU-176) on the planting value parameters, physiological and biochemical responses in finger millet grown at various salt stress levels (0, 4, 6 and 8 dSm−1) and to examine their bio-efficacy towards M. grisea. The potential of the Trichoderma isolates in inhibiting M. grisea was assessed by recording the incidence of leaf blast disease using 0–5 SES scale. The Trichoderma treatments were found effective in enhancement of germination percentage and minimizing reduction percent germination. Seedlings raised from Trichoderma treated seeds exhibited significant enhancement on plant biomass, total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence in comparison to untreated plants at all salt stress levels. Trichoderma treatments showed lower accumulation of malondialdehyde and H2O2 content revealing lower oxidative damage whereas total phenolics, proline content and superoxide dismutase content were higher in plants previously treated with Trichoderma. Current study reported resistant to moderately resistant response towards leaf blast disease in Trichoderma treated plants whereas susceptible response in untreated plants. Use of Trichoderma isolates thus, has been found to provide a sustainable approach to alleviate salt stress and leaf blast disease in finger millet by modulating growth attributes, physiological and biochemical responses, with TRU-14 (Trichoderma asperellum, ITCC-7903) showing most consistent effect for most of the traits studied. © 2021, Indian Phytopathological Society.