An analysis of the impact of growth stimulus, Trichoderma Harzianum, on cucumber

The developments in the field of biology as well as the significance of protecting the environment and the high demands for food supplies have led the researchers to consider the application of biological tools in agriculture. The present study investigated the impact of 5 Trichoderma harzianum isolates on the growth of cucumber under greenhouse conditions, using a completely randomized design (CRD) with six replications. Three different concentrations, i.e. 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% inoculums per pot, were applied. The growth parameters used in the study included: the plant length, stem thickness, and shoot and root fresh/dry weights. The results of Duncan multiple range test (DMRT) indicated that some Trichoderma harzianum isolates had a significant effect on the growth parameters of cucumber. From among the isolates, T1 had the greatest impact on plant-growth with 25.8% increase in shoot’s fresh weight, 22.8% in shoot’s dry weight, 20.4% in root’s fresh weight, 21.5% in root’s dry weight, 18.4% in leaf number, 4.8% in stem diameter, and 22.4% in plant length. In addition, the isolates had the highest growth impact at 1.5% inoculums per pot concentration. The outcome of this study revealed that the aforementioned isolates can be applied as growth stimuli in crop production.