Evaluation of Trichoderma harzianum for controlling root rot caused by Phytophthora capsici in pepper plants

Abstract

The ability of Trichoderma harzianum to control the rotting of pepper (Capsicum annuum) plant roots caused by Phytophthora capsici was studied. Interactions between the fungi were assessed in vitro on three culture media (V8c, Czapek and 2% water agar) and in vivo in plants grown in a substrate inoculated with P. capsici and T. harzianum. Studies on mutual antagonism in vitro showed that P. capsici was inhibited by T. harzianum; however, the intensity of inhibition differed according to the medium used, being greatest on Czapek. Analysis of the fungal populations in the plant growth substrate showed that T. harzianum consistently reduced that of P. capsici over time. This reduction in the pathogen population was associated with a reduction in root rot of between 24 and 76%, although plant growth (dry weight) was still reduced by 21.2-24.7%, compared with the uninoculated control. In the absence of T. harzianum with the same pathogen inoculum levels, the reduction in dry weight was 59.8-68.6%, suggesting that T. harzianum reduced the damage.