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Targeted selection of Trichoderma antagonists for control of pepper Phytophthora blight in China

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Abstract

Pepper Phytophthora blight, caused by Phytophthora capsici is the most destructive soilborne pathogen, can lead to serious economic losses in pepper. Some strains Trichoderma isolates can act as potential biocontrol agents and are able to control many plant diseases in crops. The present study was carried out to screen valid Trichoderma isolates against P. capsici and to study potential modes of action of involved. In vitro, the most successful isolate, Trichoderma HNA12, was able to inhibit P. capsici development and significantly reduce sporulation, inhibition effect for 62.3 % compared to the control treatment. Trichoderma HNA12 was further evaluated under field condition and, over a 2-year period, was able to significantly suppress P. capsici on root and stem parts giving a similar level of disease control as the fungicide thiram, and Trichoderma HNA12 showed the lowest disease index and significantly increases the plant stem heights and the fresh and dry weights. The mechanisms of action of Trichoderma HNA12 were postulated to be a combination of competition for space, production of antifungal metabolites and possible mycoparasitism. Mycoparasitism appeared to contribute to the aggressive nature of Trichoderma HNA12 against P. capsici when observed under scanning electron microscope. Trichoderma HNA12 was identified as T. Harzianum by molecular identification technology. The strategic approach described in this paper demonstrates an efficient way of screening microorganisms for biocontrol activity and validates the notion that certain microorganisms can be antagonistic to a variety of plant pathogens.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the Program for Beijing Excellent Talent (Grant No. 2012 D009007000001) and the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant Number: 2011AA10A201). We are also sincerely thankful to the Plant Pathology Dept., China Agricultural Univ., China, for the technical support provided over the course of this study. The field experiment described in this article was performed at Guizhou Pepper Research Institute, Guizhou, China. We thank Dr. Hong-jiang ang Dr. Hong-yang for agronomic help and valuable suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Quality Monitoring Center of Animal Husbandry and Aquatic Products, Tangshan Bureau Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Tangshan, 063000, China

    Yanpo Yao, Ruihuan Du & Xueliang Pang

  2. The MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China

    Yanpo Yao, Yan Li & Qi Wang

  3. Chongqing Agricultural Technology Extension Station, Chongqing, 401121, China

    Zhenlin Huang

  4. Pepper Science Laboratory, Guizhou Province Pepper Institute, Guizhou, 563000, China

    Hong Yang

  5. Academy of State Administration of Grain, Beijing, 100193, China

    Changpo Sun

  6. Wuxi County Agricultural Technology Promotion Stations, Wuxi, 405800, China

    Jinkang Shu

Authors
  1. Yanpo Yao
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  2. Yan Li
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  3. Zhenlin Huang
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  4. Hong Yang
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  5. Changpo Sun
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  6. Jinkang Shu
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  7. Ruihuan Du
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  8. Xueliang Pang
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  9. Qi Wang
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Correspondence to Qi Wang.

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Yao, Y., Li, Y., Huang, Z. et al. Targeted selection of Trichoderma antagonists for control of pepper Phytophthora blight in China. J Plant Dis Prot 123, 215–223 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-016-0025-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-016-0025-0

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