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Antagonism of Trichoderma-based biofungicides against Brazilian and North American isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and growth promotion of soybean

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Abstract

The antagonistic activity of Trichoderma asperellum (aerial conidia) and T. harzianum (microsclerotia) Pers. (1801) (Hypocreales: Hypocreaceae) was evaluated against six isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (Helotiales: Sclerotiniaceae) from Brazil and the USA and further assessed for their enhancement of soybean growth. The fungicide thiophanate-methyl was included as a standard in all experiments. In vitro assay revealed that thiophanate-methyl and Trichoderma spp. effectively suppressed carpogenic and myceliogenic germination of sclerotia. The S. sclerotiorum isolates from Brazil appeared to be less susceptible than those from the USA to both chemical and biological treatments. The in vivo seed coating test using thiophanate-methyl or Trichoderma spp. substantially improved seed germination and suppressed growth of all S. sclerotiorum isolates to varying degrees. Moreover, soybean biomass of shoots and roots, and root nodulation were increased by either thiophanate-methyl or Trichoderma species. Collectively, these results underline the antagonistic activity of Trichoderma spp. against S. sclerotiorum isolates, the importance of Trichoderma spp. to improve soybean growth, and the bioactivity of Trichoderma microsclerotia through seed coating.

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Acknowledgements

The first author was the recipient of a doctorate scholarship (N. 250077/2013-2—SWE) and the second author received a post-doctoral scholarship (Project N. 245325/2012-3) both from CNPq (Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development). This work was partially sponsored by USDA Agricultural Research Service.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Phytopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá, PR, 87020-900, Brazil

    Andreia M. F. Macena & João B. Vida

  2. Crop Bioprotection Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, 1815 N University Street, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA

    Nilce N. Kobori

  3. Embrapa Meio Ambiente, Rodovia SP-340, Km 127.5, Jaguariúna, SP, 13820-000, Brazil

    Gabriel M. Mascarin

  4. Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, 1101 W. Peabody Drive, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Glen L. Hartman

  5. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, University of Illinois, 1101 W. Peabody Drive, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Glen L. Hartman

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  1. Andreia M. F. Macena
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  2. Nilce N. Kobori
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  3. Gabriel M. Mascarin
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  4. João B. Vida
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Correspondence to Gabriel M. Mascarin.

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Macena, A.M.F., Kobori, N.N., Mascarin, G.M. et al. Antagonism of Trichoderma-based biofungicides against Brazilian and North American isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and growth promotion of soybean. BioControl 65, 235–246 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-019-09976-8

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