Trichoderma asperellum (Samuels, Lieckf & Nirenberg) as growth promoter in Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell) Morong

Abstract

Plant growth-promoting microorganisms represent an efficient and viable alternative to produce forest seedlings. Among them the genus Trichoderma stands out for promoting plant growth by the synthesis of indole acetic acid, phosphate solubilization, and micronutrients. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of Trichoderma asperellum on the initial development of monkfish seedlings. Inoculations were performed with T. asperellum at the concentrations of 0 (control), 5, 9, 14, and 18 g of inoculant per liter of substrate, using a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates each. The following parameters were analyzed: height, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, total fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, total dry weight, and Dickson quality index (DQI). The following doses were applied: height-dose 10.76 g, fresh stem weight-dose 15.76 g, fresh root weight-dose 15.76 g, total fresh weight-dose 12.14, shoot dry weight-dose 11.5 g, root dry weight-dose 10.27 g, and total dry weight – dose 10.58 g. The DQI provided an increase of 35% compared with the witness. Thus, inoculation with Trichoderma was estimated to have a maximum technical efficiency between 10 and 12 g L-1 of substrate, showing an effect on the development of monkfish seedlings.