Trichoderma asperellum integrated with Fusarium decemcellulare and Lasiodioplodia pseudotheobromae applications increase its colonisation in cacao seedling tissues and suppression of leaf anthracnose disease

Abstract

Fusarium and Lasiodiplodia are fungal endophytes found frequently in cacao tissues. Their presence has suggested an increase endophytic Trichoderma asperellum's ability to inhibit primary diseases. The research aims to evaluate the occurrence of T. asperellum in root, stem, and leaf cacao tissues after the plants were inoculated by F. decemcellulare, L. pseudotheobromae, and T. asperellum. Also, at the same time to observe their impact on inhibiting leaf anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. In plants treated with the combination of T. asperellum and F. decemcellulare at 30 days post-inoculation, colonisation of T. asperellum was four to 68 times higher than that of T. asperellum alone. Whereas when combined with L. pseudotheobromae, the colonisation was 4 to 68 times higher. T. asperellum, F. decemcellulare, and L. theobromae self-applied could decrease the incidence and severity of anthracnose disease. However, the highest decrease was observed in plants treated notably by the combination of T. asperellum and F. decemcellulare. This data demonstrated that the presence of T. asperellum in plant tissues was supported by other endophytic fungi, which increased its capability to suppress the disease of cacao.