Application of Trichoderma harzianum (T22) and Trichoderma atroviride (P1) as plant growth promoters, and their compatibility with copper oxychloride

Trichoderma strains are used in agriculture because they provide to the plants the following benefits: i) are rhizosphere competence and establish stable rhizosphere microbial communities; ii) control plant disease caused by pathogenic and competitive microflora, by using a variety of mechanisms; iii) improve vegetative growth, root development and yield; iv) make nutrients more available to the plant. In this work we have investigated the ability of T. harzianum T22 and T. atroviride P…

Application of Trichoderma harzianum (T22) and Trichoderma atroviride (P1) as plant growth promoters, and their compatibility with copper oxychloride

Trichoderma strains are used in agriculture because they provide to the plants the following benefits:i) are rhizosphere competence and establish stable rhizosphere microbial communities; ii) control plant disease caused by pathogenic and competitive microflora, by using a variety of mechanisms; iii)improve vegetative growth, root development and yield; iv) make nutrients more available to the plant. In this work we have investigated the ability of T. harzianum T22 and T. atroviride P1 to improve plant growth of locally important horticultural crops: lettuce, tomatoes and peppers and to prevent disease in the greenhouse and field. The effect of the Trichoderma treatment was evaluated by determining the weight of fresh and dry roots and above ground plant biomass, measuring plants height, counting the number of emerged leaves (lettuce, tomatoes and peppers) and quantifying production (tomatoes and peppers). No disease symptoms were found during production, although Fusarium sp. strains pathogenic to tomato were detected in the soil. Compounds containing copper oxychloride are frequently used for fungal disease control in agriculture. In order to investigate the compatibility of T. harzianum T22 and T. atroviride P1 with copper oxychloride applications, the effect on mycelia growth was monitored in both liquid and solid medium. In general, the tests indicated a high level of tolerance of the Trichoderma strains to concentrations of copper oxychloride varying from 0.1 to 5 mmol/L.