An example of a Regional crisis transformed with innovation in the area of biocontrol.
The very fertile plains of northern Maharashtra used to guarantee a bountiful crop of soybean. However in 2018 farmers in the area had an unprecedented foe: Phytophthora root rot. Phytophthora sojae is a soil pathogen which was devastating crops silently by transforming the greener fields into hectares of withering and yellowing plants. Economic losses were accumulated because the conventional chemical treatments were unable to offer permanent protection. This is what happened to a crisis that was converted to a sustainable success through biological control using Trichoderma harzianum.
This paper focuses on the diagnosis of a disease impacting plants, Phytophthora root rot.
The Phytophthora root rot attacks soybean plants at the very weak point. The disease develops once underground becoming dark brown to black eventually destroying the roots of the young ones. Plants above the ground are characterized by stunted growth, wilting leaves and premature wilting. In extreme situations, plants are killed even before they mature.
The most dangerous thing about this pathogen is the fact that it can be stored in the soil and last quite long. Phytophthora generates the oospores that are long-term and may lie unchanged over the few years and become active when the conditions are suitable. Moist soils and heat provide ideal conditions on which the pathogen can propagate quickly among fields.
The destruction is the recollection of local farmer Ramesh Jadhav: “I have seen the yellowing of the soybean field of a neighbor of mine within two weeks. We raked up the plants and their roots were all black. We had heard we had to change something.
The Chemical Dilemma
First, the farmers in the area resorted to fungicides which are chemical. The solutions came in the form of metalaxyl which showed some short-term relief, and the resistance became rapid. The expenditure grew since farmers raised the frequency and dosages. The issues of the environment expanded, and the chemical residue was deposited in water and land.
Local farmers were facing mounting problems as noted by Dr. Priya Sharma who was an extension agronomist: “Trends indicated that the ability of the chemical fungicids to work were declining with each passing season. Farmers required a fungicide for phytophthora root rot that was sustainable in phytophthora root rot that would not destroy their soil and their earnings.
Finding Biological Solutions
The breakthrough was achieved as research teams between local farming universities and progressive farmers worked to achieve this. Trichoderma harzianum was a promising biocontrol agent identified by the scientists that could result in reduction in the growth of Phytophthora and improvement of soil health.
The mechanism of action of Trichoderma harzianum consists of various mechanisms:
- Competitive exclusion: Rapid colonist of the rhizosphere, prevents Colonization by Phytophthora.
- Antibiosis: This is observed to produce enzymes and metabolites which directly inhibit the growth of the pathogen.
- Induced systemic resistance: Research activates the natural defense system of soybean plants.
- Root enhancement: Enhances healthy root growth to achieve higher nutrient uptake.
HarzShield: The Business Solution
This was tested using several different trichoderma commercial preparations with HarzShield proving to be the most effective preparation. It is an improved biofungicide which includes a high-concentration spore preparation of a selectively chosen strain of T. harzianum.
HarzShield altered it all as Ramesh explains. The process was easy – we added it to water and used it with our irrigation stream. Ansbrooke and I found healthy roots and stronger plants in weeks.
Field Application Protocol
Farmers designed an integrated application plan by working with agricultural extension officers:
Seed Treatment Phase:
- Plants Prepare Before planting the seeds mix with trichoderma harzianum powder.
- Make sure that it is thoroughly covered to protect the roots.
- Plant immediately after the treatment to achieve the maximum viability.
Soil Application:
- HarzShield Drip irrigates at appropriate rates.
- Applications of time in young vegetative development.
- Redo during the flowering phase to have long-term protection.
Monitoring and Maintenance:
- Frequent field scanning of the disease at an early stage.
- Optimize the soil moisture so as to benefit microbes.
- Never use fungicides which are widely taken as these may damage populations of Trichoderma.
Integration of the Cultural Practices
Biological applications were not the only way to become successful. Farmers got to know how to combine the use of trichoderma biocontrol with better farming practices:
- Crop Rotation: Three-year non-host crop rotations led to decreasing the amount of Phytophthora within the soil.
- Drainage Control:installation of a good drainage system made the site dry and not waterlogged causing development of pathogens.
- Organic Matter: The presence of compost and crop residues in the soil improved microbiology within the soil to the extent that Trichoderma can be established.
- pH Management: Optimal pH of the soil favored the growth of soybean and action of Trichoderma.
Community Success Story
The change did not occur within a day. There was a farmer group of Ramesh and his neighbors, where they had to share experience and coordinate the application of biocontrols on adjacent fields. The creation of this community approach produced a regional suppression effect which decreased the total pressure of pathogens.
Ramesh recalls his recall of the First season when he took HarzShield when he noticed that the engagement improved.In the third season, my fields were entirely healthy. Other farmers began asking me what I was doing differently.
Economic Impact
The financial advantages were not restricted to the control of disease:
- Reduced fungicide costs
- Increased productivity of improved plants.
- High grades of produce less residue.
- Better breaking of soil which will yield better crops later.
- Reduced long term production risks.
Environmental Benefits
Biological control provided some benefits that chemical treatments were unable to provide:
Recovered lost positive soils microbes.
- Concerns of chemical residues eliminated.
- Lower pollution of groundwater.
- Increased agricultural ecology.
- Faith in sustainable agriculture.
Expert Insights
Dr. Sharma stresses on quality trichoderma commercial preparations: Not every Trichederma preparation is equal. Such products as HarzShield are strictly controlled according to their quality and guaranteed presence of viable spores and stability in the field.
Her other observation is the usefulness of pure trichoderma harzianum preparation in specific use: “Certain farmers choose programmed biocontrol with specialized active ingredients. This is due to the flexibility which can be used in specific field circumstances.
Lessons Learned
These lessons are applicable to other regions that encounter the problem of Phytophthora: the Maharashtra success story is informative:
- Early Adoption: Biological control of phytophthora root rot is most effective when adopted during an early stage when the pressure of the disease has not reached seriousness.
- Community Approach: Co-ordinated regional applications increase comprehensive efficiency.
- Cultural Integration: There are no better modes of combining biocontrol with superior agronomy to reap the maximum.
- Quality Product: The trichoderma commercial products are proven to provide reliable results and hence investing in them is guaranteed results.
- Patience: Entire payouts are Acquired in a series of growing seasons.
Looking Forward
The region that used to experience massive losses due to crops has today emerged to be an exemplar of sustainable soybean production. Trichoderma harzianum powder and commercial formulations are still being used on farms as the basis of disease control programs.
Ramesh believes that working with nature, not against nature, is the way to achieve permanent solutions. Trichoderma does not only save our crops but its healthier soil is a better way to survive in the generations to come.
The success shows the ability of using biological control as a way of converting the challenges of agriculture into sustainable intensification opportunities. Since other areas are experiencing equal pressures by the Phytophthora, Maharashtra model presents a practical way of ensuring sustainable, profitable soybean production via novel biocontrol measures.
