Biocontrol of root red root and promotion of soybean growth

Soy is one of the main agribusiness crops worldwide, and Brazil stands out as one of the largest producers of this legume. Diseases, especially caused by soil-dwelling pathogens, significantly interfere in crop development and productivity, especially as they are difficult to control. The objective of this work was to evaluate the biocontrol of Fusarium solani causal agent of red root rot in soybean by isolates of Trichoderma spp. For this, the effect of in vitro antagonists on the pathogen, using the paired culture technique, and the potential of the antagonists in reducing the severity of the disease caused by F. solani in vivo, through the inoculation of the pathogen in seeds of corn and soil treatment with the antagonists. It was observed that among the isolates of Trichoderma spp., T. asperellum was the most efficient in inhibiting in vitro growth of the pathogen. In the in vivo test, the use of Trichoderma was effective in controlling the severity of red root rot in soybean, with T. harzianum UFFS being the most efficient in reducing the symptoms caused by F. solani, as well as promoting the growth of soybean plants.