The aim of current research was to explore different fungi as plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF). Strains of Trichoderma are well explored till now. But there are few other fungal strains that are better than Trichoderma strains. The study involves the isolation of different fungi from the rhizosphere of various agriculture farms. After isolation, 18S rRNA identification was carried out. Isolated fungi belonged to genus Penicillium, Talaromyces, Trichoderma, and Aspergillus. Isolate M13 belonging to genus Talaromyces was screened for its plant growth promoting (PGP) activity as it is a novel strain and still to be explored. Isolate M13 was identified as Talaromyces pinophilus (MG011365). Indole acetic acid (IAA) estimation was carried out using Salkowski reagent. Isolate was allowed to grow in cultivation media (Potato Dextrose Broth, PDB) in which one was supplemented with tryptophan (TRP) and one was without TRP. Phosphate solubilization was assessed using Pikovskaya's media and latter estimated using stannous chloride method, showing decent solubilization of phosphate. Siderophore production was assessed using CAS assay that indicated decent extent of siderophore production. Further for biocontrol, enzymatic assay for β-glucanase and chitinase was carried out. For β-glucanase enzyme production 1% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and for chitinase enzyme production 10% v/v colloidal chitin (as a sole carbon source) supplemented in solid minimal-medium-9 (MM9) were used. Antagonism effect of isolate M13 was carried out against Aspergillus niger by dual cultural method. As the strain M13 showed several PGP traits, liquid bioformulation was prepared to perform seed germination assay and pot trials on chickpea, followed by field trial on banana plant. All the experimental data of biochemical assessment with pot and field trials suggest T. pinophilus M13 as a novel fungus that can be used as biointensifier.
Keywords: Biocontrol; Bioformulation; PGPF; Talaromyces pinophilus.