Invitro and in vivo evidence for the mitigation of monocrotophos toxicity using native Trichoderma harzianum isolate

Native isolate of Trichoderma harzianum T103 with proven plant growth promotion and biocontrol ability was examined further for its pesticide degradative potential. The study presents first evidence for an isolate’s potential to degrade hazardous organophosphate pesticide while offering protection to the host ( Sorghum bicolor ). T103 demonstrated a broad range of tolerance towards very high dosage of monocrotophos (MCP), showing LD 50 as high as 1950 ppm. Substrate exclusion studies confirmed the isolate’s preference to MCP as the phosphorous source. A range of pesticide degradative enzymes, including phosphatase , esterase , and OP hydrolase were detected in extracellular soup. FTIR spectral analysis revealed the disappearance of the vinyl phosphate bond (2990 cm −1 and 2924 cm −1 ) and HPLC analysis confirmed the degradation. Pretreatment with T103 conferred 1.45 fold increments in germination percentage. Extended plant bioassay experiment found that bio priming with isolate reduced phytotoxicity symptoms by almost 50%, while root length, shoot length, and biomass increased by 34.48%, 35.77%, and 144%, respectively. Scanning electron micrographs of root interaction affirmed the applicability of the isolate for seed bio priming under pesticide stress. The study provides convincing evidence for the isolate’s suitability to degrade residual pesticide. Graphical abstract