Agronomic efficiency of the inoculant FT10 (Trichoderma asperelloides) on four lettuce varieties

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the agronomic efficiency of FT10 (Trichoderma asperelloides) on four lettuce varieties development and productivity throughout the year. Four greenhouse experiments were carried out to verify the effect of three doses of the bio-product on plant growth and yield on loose-leaf, butterhead, iceberg and salad bowl cultivars. A randomized block design was used, with six replications. The treatments were: 1) control, 2) 300 mL ha-1of the commercial inoculant ICB Nutrisolo® Trichoderma, 3) 0.05 kg ha-1of the inoculant FT10, 4) 0.10 kg ha-1of FT10, and 5) 0.15 kg ha-1of FT10. The plant height and number of leaves were assessed 35 days after transplanting (DAT) of lettuce seedlings and the plant dry weight and yield were evaluated 42 DAT. The data obtained were compared with Duncan's test. The majority of the evaluated parameters on lettuce varieties were found to be affected by the higher doses of FT10. Significant increases in yield in up to 21% for loose-leaf and 16% for butterhead were observed with the dose of 0.05 kg ha-1and 22% for iceberg and salad bowl with the dose of 0.10 kg ha-1of the bioproduct. It can be concluded that FT10 has the potential to promote plant growth and increase the productivity of lettuce cultivars if applied an appropriate dose of the product.