Antagonistic interactions between fungal rice pathogen Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai

Abstract

Trichoderma harzianum has been found to be a competitor and mycoparasite of Fusarium verticillioides which causes foot rot disease on rice. The experiment was undertaken macroscopically and microscopically. In total 6 treatments were performed combining three water activities (0.95, 0.98, 0.995) and two temperatures (15 and 25 °C). At all conditions tested, except at 0.95 αw and 15 °C. Trichoderma harzianum acted as biocontrol agent trough two synergistic mechanisms - competition and mycoparasitism - over F. verticillioides. At 0.95 αw and 15 °C mutual antagonism by contact was observed. The effect of abiotic factors water activity and temperature on fungal growth was determined.