Trichoderma spp., a known beneficial fungus is reported to have several mechanisms to enhance plant growth. In this study, the effectiveness of seven isolates of Trichoderma spp. to promote growth and increase physiological performance in rice was evaluated experimentally using completely randomized design under greenhouse condition. This study indicated that all the Trichoderma spp. isolates tested were able to increase several rice physiological processes which include net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration, internal CO2 concentration and water use efficiency. These Trichoderma spp. isolates were also able to enhance rice growth components including plant height, leaf number, tiller number, root length and root fresh weight. Among the Trichoderma spp. isolates, Trichoderma sp. SL2 inoculated rice plants exhibited greater net photosynthetic rate (8.66 μmolCO2 m−2 s−1), internal CO2 concentration (336.97 ppm), water use efficiency (1.15 μmoCO2/mmoH2O), plant height (70.47 cm), tiller number (12), root length (22.5 cm) and root fresh weight (15.21 g) compared to the plants treated with other Trichoderma isolates tested. We conclude that beneficial fungi can be used as a potential growth promoting agent in rice cultivation.

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The present study was undertaken to examine the effectiveness of Trichoderma spp. to enhance rice germination and vigour. An in vitro experiment was carried out to assess the effect of seven isolates of Trichoderma spp. in enhancing rice germination and vigour. The results showed that all isolates of Trichoderma spp. significantly increased rice seedling growth, germination rate, vigour index and speed of germination with Trichoderma sp., SL2 showing the greatest increase in all the four parameters. Trichoderma sp., SL2 treated rice seeds attained values of 4.48 and 6.00 cm, 0.0084 and 0.0048 g and 1016.56 and 44.75 seeds/day for seedling shoot length seedling root length, shoot weight, root weight, vigour index and speed of germination respectively. We may conclude that Trichoderma spp. is able to enhance seed germination and vigour. The results of the study adds to the further understanding of the role of beneficial fungi in improving rice resistance to stress, yield and quality through seed invigoration.

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