Trichoderma harzianum T39 and T. virens DAR 74290 as Potential Biological Control Agents for Phytophthora erythroseptica

Trichoderma harzianum isolate T39 and T. virens isolate DAR 74290 were evaluated as potential biological agents for control of pink rot of potato and root and stem rot of tomato caused by Phytophthora erythroseptica. Cell-free metabolites of T. virens DAR 74290 completely inhibited growth of P. erythroseptica in vitro and appeared to be fungicidal. T. virens DAR 74290 and Trichodex, a commercial formulation of T. harzianum T39, were tested for their ability to protect potato and tomato plants from disease caused by P. erythroseptica in glasshouse experiments. Trichodex and T. virens DAR 74290, alone and combined, reduced disease severity in shoots and roots of potatoes 10 weeks after inoculation with the pathogen. The yield of potatoes from plants treated with P. erythroseptica and T. virens DAR 74290 (mean of 12.9 g fresh weight/pot) was significantly greater than in controls inoculated with the pathogen alone (mean of 2.1 g/pot). Treatment with Trichodex alone increased the yield of tubers compared to the uninoculated controls. T. virens DAR 74290 increased the survival of tomato seedlings inoculated with the pathogen, and both this isolate and Trichodex decreased the severity of disease on tomato.