EFFECT OF INDIVIDUAL AND COMBINED APPLICATION OF Trichoderma sp. AND VERMICOMPOST ON THE MANAGEMENT OF Sclerotium rolfsii AND GROWTH OF CHILLI UNDER PEATLANDS AGRO-CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

This study was conducted to evaluate the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma sp., and vermicompost on the management of Sclerotium rolfsii and chilli plant growth under peatlands agro-climatic conditions. The research was conducted under the laboratory as well field condition of Palangka Raya University in a completely randomized factorial design. As a treatment, four doses of Trichoderma sp. i.e. 0, 5, 10, and 15 g/box, and three doses of Vermicompost i.e. 0, 100, and 200g/ box was used individually and in combination and each treatment have three replications.  Three kilograms of sterilized peat soil planting media were placed in the 36 plastic boxes and Trichoderma sp., and vermicompost was applied 1 week before the chilli seeds are planted. After 10 weeks of plantations, observations related to the disease intensity and chilli growth and yield were recorded. The results of the study revealed a synergistic effect of Trichoderma sp. and vermicompost combination in controlling the stem rot disease caused by S. rolfsii. Individual and combined application of Trichoderma and vermicompost had an effective range of 73.33-100% over the control. Further, among the various tested treatments, a combination of Trichoderma sp @ 5g/box with vermicompost @ 200g/box and individual application of Trichoderma sp @ 10g/box were found superior in the management of stem rot disease. In the case of chilli growth parameters, the results of the study suggested that the application of vermicompost had a significant effect on the chilli plant's growth and yield, while the application of Trichoderma sp. significantly affects the chilli plants number of leaves