Efficacy of Trichoderma spp. as biological control agent of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.

Abstract

The efficacy of a combination of two species of Trichoderma (T. parceramosum and T. pseudokoningii) in controlling the pathogenicity of Sclerotium rolfsii, which causes several crop diseases, was tested on seedbeds which had previously been abandoned due to severe rice seedling blight. Trichoderma was as effective as propamocarb hydrochloride in controlling pre-emergence damping off of Brassica chinensis but only Trichoderma was effective in controlling post-emergence damping off and seedling blight in rice grown after B. chinensis. However, control by Trichoderma was slow. Efficacy was seen only after 6 introductions of Trichoderma in the seedbeds grown to 3 successive crops of B. chinensis. Control of pathogenic activity as shown by percent seed germination and percent survival of seedlings in plots was most effective where Trichoderma was seeded twice (2 weeks and 1 week before seed sowing) with 30 g carrier rice bran pellets of mixed culture of the two species. The decrease in disease incidence was due to a decrease in percent viable sclerotial bodies after three successive croppings of B. chinensis. Application of the antagonist every cropping was effective in lowering the population of the pathogen's propagules, the sclerotia, and its effect was long-lasting.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist

ISSN

317454

Page

35-42

Document Type

Article

Subject

Antagonist, Biological control, Brassica chinensis, Damping-off, Oryza sativa, Sclerotium rolfsii, Seedling blight, T. Pseudokoningii, Trichoderma parceramosum

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