Biocontrol of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Sclerotium rolfsii, Fusarium spp., and the agronomic performance of soybean by Trichoderma

Biocontrol of soil pathogens by Trichoderma

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a globally important legume that is susceptible to a variety of pathogens throughout its development stages. One effective option for controlling these diseases is the use of biological products derived from fungi of the genus Trichoderma. This study aimed to select Trichoderma isolates, maintained in culture collections, as control agents for the pathogens Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Fusarium spp. Additionally, it sought to identify isolates among those selected that can enhance the agronomic characteristics of soybean plants in the field. Experiments were carried out in vitro, in a greenhouse, and an experimental field. The strains that performed best in vitro and in the greenhouse against S. sclerotiorum and S. rolfsii were T. afroharzianum CEN230, T. koningiopsis CEN209, and T. rifaii CEN288. The strains T. azevedoi CEN1242 and T. koningiopsis CEN1513 significantly increased the final soybean yield under field conditions without the occurrence of soil-borne diseases. However, the data regarding Fusarium infection were inconclusive.

Key words: White mold. Glycine max. Biological control. Field trials.