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Compost is a carrier medium for Trichoderma harzianum

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Abstract

Trichoderma spp. are one of the most commercialized fungal biocontrol agents. To improve its applicability, while preserving its effectiveness against diseases, a selection of composts were tested as carrier mediums. The population dynamic of T. harzianum was studied in three composts differing in biological characteristics based on the Nematode Index of Compost Maturity (NICM). The results showed a decline in the T. harzianum population, which became stable after six or eight weeks, irrespective of compost, concentration or sterilization. The bioassay with Rhizoctonia solani on bean showed promising results for disease control after storage of the inoculated composts. Nevertheless, T. harzianum was ineffective against R. solani in one compost with a high NICM value, likely related to its sub-optimal physicochemical characteristics and lower root colonization. Compost is a suitable carrier medium for T. harzianum, but the NICM value is not a good indicator to predict the survival rate nor the disease suppression activity of compost inoculated with T. harzianum.

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Acknowledgements

Hanne Steel acknowledges the special research fund UGent for her post-doc grant. Gisèle L. Herren acknowledges FWO (the Research Foundation – Flanders; 11W0918N) for a PhD Grant. We thank Alexandre Meire of PUR VER for the vermicompost and Paul Quataert of the Research Institute of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO) for his excellent statistical input.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nematology Research Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Gent, Belgium

    Lisa Joos, Gisèle L. Herren, Marjolein Couvreur, Isabelle Binnemans, Wim Bert & Hanne Steel

  2. Plant Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Burg. van Gansberghelaan 96-109, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium

    Lisa Joos & Jane Debode

  3. Laboratory of Phytopathology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Gent, Belgium

    Feyisara Eyiwumi Oni & Monica Höfte

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  1. Lisa Joos
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Correspondence to Lisa Joos or Gisèle L. Herren.

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Joos, L., Herren, G.L., Couvreur, M. et al. Compost is a carrier medium for Trichoderma harzianum. BioControl 65, 737–749 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-020-10040-z

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