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Effectiveness of Trichoderma spp. obtained from re-used soilless substrates against Pythium ultimum on cucumber seedlings

Wirksamkeit von Trichoderma spp. aus wiederverwendeten erdelosen Trägersubstraten gegenüber Pythium ultimum an Gurkensämlingen

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Abstract

Thirty-nine Trichoderma strains isolated from effective re-used substrates used in soilless systems and two commercial formulations (Trichoderma viride TV1 and Remedier WP) were tested against Pythium ultimum, the causal agent of cucumber damping-off, under greenhouse and growth chamber conditions. Trichoderma was applied to the soil or by root dipping. Plant growth promotion activity of the Trichoderma strains was also evaluated in absence of the pathogen. The best and most consistent results were obtained by applying Trichoderma to the soil, 7 days before soil infestation with the pathogen. Twelve out of 39 Trichoderma strains (FC 1, 2, 6, 7, 12, 19, 24, 38, 39, 69, 72 and 80) showed the best activity against P. ultimum and four of them provided a 95% efficacy. The activity of such strains resulted slightly better than that of the commercial formulation Remedier. Some of the best strains also showed a good growth promoting ability, as demonstrated by a positive effect on biomass produced. Therefore, the good biocontrol ability of Trichoderma was confirmed in strains isolated from soilless systems. Such biocontrol agents may play a role in the suppressiveness of substrates used for soilless cultivation.

Zusammenfassung

Neununddreißig Trichoderma-Stämme wurden aus wiederverwendeten erdelosen Trägersubstraten isoliert und zusammen mit zwei kommerziellen Formulierungen (Trichoderma viride TV1 und Remedier WP) im Gewächshaus und in Phytotronen auf ihre Wirksamkeit gegenüber Pythium ultimum, dem Erreger der Umfallkrankheit der Gurke, untersucht. Trichoderma wurde zum Boden zugegeben oder als Wurzeltauchbehandlung appliziert. Die pflanzenwachstumsfördernde Aktivität der Trichoderma-Stämme wurde daneben in Abwesenheit des Erregers untersucht. Die besten und konsistentesten Ergebnisse wurden mit einer Bodenbehandlung 7 Tage vor der Inokulation des Bodens erzielt. Zwölf von 39 untersuchten Trichoderma - Stämm en (FC 1, 2, 6, 7, 12, 19, 24, 38, 39, 69, 72 and 80) zeigten die höchste Aktivität gegenüber P. ultimum und vier von ihnen besaßen eine 95%ige Wirksamkeit. Ihre Aktivität übertraf die der kommerziellen Formulierung Remedier geringfügig. Einige der wirksamsten Stämme zeigten ebenfalls einen positiven Einfluss auf die gebildete Biomasse und damit eine deut- liche pflanzenwachstumsfördernde Aktivität. Das hohe antagonistisch Potential von Trichoderma konnte daher für Stämme aus erdelosen Trägersubstraten bestätigt werden. Diese Stämme könnten zur Suppressivität von Substraten beitragen, die für die erdelose Kultivierung verwendet werden.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Competence for Agro-Environmental Innovation (AGROINNOVA), University of Torino, Grugliasco, Italy

    J. B. Liu, G. Gilardi, M. L. Gullino & A. Garibaldi

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  1. J. B. Liu
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  2. G. Gilardi
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  3. M. L. Gullino
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  4. A. Garibaldi
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Correspondence to M. L. Gullino.

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Liu, J.B., Gilardi, G., Gullino, M.L. et al. Effectiveness of Trichoderma spp. obtained from re-used soilless substrates against Pythium ultimum on cucumber seedlings. J Plant Dis Prot 116, 156–163 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03356304

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03356304

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