Suppressive effect of olive residue and saprophytic fungi on the growth of Verticillium dahliae and its effect on the dry weight of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

The saprophytic fungi Aspergillus niger, Coriolopsis rigida, Fusarium lateritium, F. oxysporum, Mucor racemosus, Paecilomyces farinosus, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. restrictum, Trametes versicolor, Trichoderma harzianum, T. pseudokoningii and T. viride were able to decrease the growth in vitro of Verticillium dahlie in the presence of aqueous extract of olive residue. The conidia number of V. dahliae decreased when grown on aqueous extract of olive residue, autoclaved or filtered through 0.45 micron filters after culture of the fungi. These results suggest not only the predominance of suppressive substances of a biological nature, but also the existence of nonbiological inhibitory substances. The olive residue decreased the negative effect of V. dahliae on shoot and root dry weight of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), by the antifungal compounds present in the olive residue and by the antifungal substances produced by the antagonistic saprophytic fungi grown in this residue.