Unlocking the biocontrol and plant growth potential of endophytic fungi against pea root rot complex in Himachal Pradesh, India

Pea root rot complex (PRRC) incited by plethora of fungal and oomycetous pathogens is often ratified as a major hitch and yield declining factor to world pea production. In this study, we have isolated fifty one endophytic fungi from healthy pea roots collected from the sub-humid and dry temperate regions of Himachal Pradesh, India. Of these, eight potent fungi exhibiting higher antagonism through preliminary screening were assessed for their antagonism against most predominant PRRC pathogen Fusarium oxysporum using the dual culture test. Under in vitro screenings, maximum mycelial inhibition of 82.22% was obtained with the Schizophyllum sp. isolate JPE19. Microscopic illustrations traced from interaction zone of endophyte and target pathogen displayed conspicuous aberration in the hyphae of pathogen. Under glasshouse and field evaluation assay, maximum per cent disease control was achieved in treatment Schizophyllum sp. isolate JPE19 exhibiting 79.42 and 74.29% disease control, respectively. Further, it has remarkably augmented the growth traits of pea under both glasshouse and field conditions. Root colonization executed by plate count and confocal microscopic analysis substantiated significantly higher colonization in endophytes treated plants which affirmed the establishment of inoculated strain in endosphere of the pea plants. The data retrieved in current research to the best of our knowledge witnesses first report on biocontrol and plant growth promoting potential of pea inhabited endophytic fungi and furthers our route to develop commercial bio-formulation of these fungi which could be used as green option for effective management of dreadful PRRC disease.