Improvement in growth, yield and quality of sugarcane induced by Trichoderma Harzianum

Sugarcane is an economically important cash crop for many countries because it is a major source of several products like sugar and bio-fuel. To obtain higher yields there is a need to apply large quantities of chemical fertilizers, which are hazardous to soil fertility and environment. Many members of the grass family Poaceae establish association with the beneficial microbes including Trichoderma, which promote their growth by direct and indirect mechanisms. Trichoderma spp. can be used as means to reduce the need for chemical fertilizer and to minimize the impact of pathogen invasion. In the present study, the effectiveness of two native isolates of Trichoderma harzianum (S32 and S47) were used to enhance sugarcane cv. CoJ 64 growth and yield under field condition. T. harzianum S32 and S47 were significantly effective in improving germination, tiller number, millable canes, cane height, cane girth, shoot fresh and dry weight, number and length of internode, leaf area index and yield over the control. Metabolites of both the strains @ 2.5% were found to be more effective and significantly better than spore suspension (106 spores/ml) and TMC containing Trichoderma @ 2 kg/ha in 20 kg sterilized farm yard manure (FYM). The results of this study can serve as a reference for further work on the application of beneficial microorganisms to enhance the growth and production of sugarcane.