Trichoderma koningii as a potential parasite of sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii

Three different inoculum forms of Trichoderma koningii were tested in vitro for their ability to parasitize the sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii. Tests were conducted under two temperature regimes and three incubation periods. Wheat bran was proved to be the most potent inoculum form of the antagonist in reducing 0the viability of the sclerotia. Microscopical observations revealed the presence of hyphae, chlamydospores and conidia of T koningii in the medullar tissues of the sclerotia. This is the first report of the effect of different inoculum forms of T koningii on the sclerotia of S. rolfsii and of propagule (chlamydospores and conidia) formation of the antagonist inside the sclerotia of S. rolfsii. (C) 2001 Adac / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.