Evaluating the promise of <i>Trichoderma</i> and <i>Anabaena</i> based biofilms as multifunctional agents in <i>Macrophomina phaseolina-</i>infected cotton crop

Abstract

<div><p>The influence of biofilmed formulations composed of <i>Trichoderma viride</i> and <i>Anabaena torulosa</i> as matrices was investigated in <i>Macrophomina phaseolina</i> (Tassi) Goid.-infected cotton crop, in terms of plant growth and biocontrol parameters. <i>Trichoderma</i> based biofilms were developed with <i>Azotobacter chroococcum, Pseudomonas fluorescens</i> and <i>Bacillus subtilis,</i> while <i>A. torulosa</i> biofilms were prepared using <i>B. subtilis</i> and <i>T. viride</i> as components. Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant colonisation of biofilms on the root surface, which could be correlated with lowest mortality of 5.67%, recorded using <i>T. viride</i>–<i>B. subtilis</i> biofilm. An increase of 4–7% in polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity was recorded in all biofilm-treated samples, particularly those in which <i>B. subtilis</i> was present. The highest value of 1360.22 µg microbial biomass carbon g⁻¹ soil was recorded in <i>Anabaena–B. subtilis</i> biofilm treatment. Significantly higher values of plant and soil nutrient parameters in treatments in which biofilms were used vis-à-vis individual cultures reveal their promise. Such novel biofilmed biofertilizers with multiple useful traits can be beneficial options for effective nutrient and pest management of cotton crop.</p></div