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GCOPE OF INVESTIGATION
As biocontrol is an integral part of the integrated pest management (IPM) philosophy,
judicious use of Trichorienna against soil borne pathogens can serve as a model for the
introduction and implementation of other biocontrol means into IPM Combining two or
more types of biocontrol agents can increase biocontrol activity Proper formulation,
efficient delivery system and alternative methods of TrrcWnna application play a
crucial role in the success of the biocontrol agents against soil borne fimgi Chemical
pesticides cause health hazards to humans and other non-target organisms while affecting
the environment adversely. It is important to develop safer and environment friendly
management alternatives by exploiting living organisms from their natural habitat These
orgmsms provide protection apnst a wide range of plant pathogenic fungi without any
adverse effects to the ecosystem. Potential agents for biological control of soil borne
plant pathogens can be obtained from the natural habitat such as rhizosphere.
Rhizosphere competent fungi and bacteria with antagonistic activity are capable of
promoting growth by either controlling minor pathogens or producing growth-promoting
factors (Harrnan el al., 1989). Biological control through rhizosphere fund bacteria is
much safer and non-polluting to the environment compared to the disease management
by chenucal pestiades. Some rhosphere organisms may protect the root system of the
growing plants from attack by plant pathogens throughout the entire growth period
(Ahmed and Baker, 1987; Sivan and Chet, 1989; Harrnan el a/., 1989). When added as
seed treatments, the biological control agents enter, establish in the rhizosphere, which
leads to the competition and elimination of the pathogens from the himsphere
throughout the growth period. Further, Paulitz e! a/., (1990) reported that the combination