Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers for Trichoderma species and Antagonism Against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris Causing Chickpea Wilt

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to examine the genetic variability among 10 isolates of Trichoderma representing three species and their ability to antagonize Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris causing chickpea wilt using dual culture assay and volatile and non-volatile compound production. Using 10 oligonucleotide primers, we are able to distinguish among the species of Trichoderma. Primer OPA 13 efficiently differentiated all the isolates of Trichoderma in to their species except T2 of Trichoderma viride. Some of the other primer as Primer OPA 10 also showed species-specific banding pattern. These species of Trichoderma were evaluated against the pathogen. All the isolates of the fungal antagonists caused significant reduction in the mycelial growth of the pathogen in vitro. The principle mechanism of mycoparasitism was observed as coiling of antagonistic hyphae around the pathogen hyphae and lysis