In vitro antagonistic activity of Trichoerma spp. to Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium graminearum

Abstract

One of the major problems in agriculture are Fusarium species which cause fusariosis in wheat, corn, tomato, melon, watermelon, onion, peas, and beans. Also, Fusarium can synthesize thermostable mycotoxins which can lead to certain diseases if they were found in food. Currently, chemical fungicides are mostly used to prevent the occurrence of fusariosis disease, but the resistance of pathogens to such treatment is being more and more widespread. Soil microorganisms help in plant defense and growth. The rhizosphere fungi have an important role in the mutual exchange of nutrients with plants and they can establish specific interactions with plants. Such rhizosphere fungi are known as plant growth-promoting (PGP). These PGP fungi affect the better plant growth through the synthesis of certain phytohormones but they also have the function as biocontrol agents. They can inhibit the growth of phytopathogens through direct mechanisms of antibiosis, mycoparasitism, and competition. The goal of this research was an investigation of the antagonistic effect of Trichoderma harzianum TR1 and Trichoderma citrinoviride 1V on Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium graminearum. The antagonistic effect was examined through two tests: Dual culture test (DUAL test) and the effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Trichoderma strains on the growth of Fusarium strains. Also, the cell-wall degrading enzymatic activity of T. citrinoviride and T. harzianum was examined. The results showed that antagonistic activity of Trichoderma strains varies from moderate to high. Mycelial growth inhibition by T. citrinoviride was 44% for F. graminearum and 67% for F. oxysporum. T. harzianum inhibited F. gramminearum growth for 59% and F. oxysporum for 66%. Based on the results, it was concluded that T.harzianum and T.citrinoviride can be considered biocontrol agents for F. oxysporum and F. graminearum.