Trichoderma spp. from rhizosphere soil and their antagonism against Fusarium sambucinum

Abstract

One hundred and forty six (146) isolates of Trichoderma spp. were obtained from rhizosphere soils of potato plants in the middle areas of Gansu Province, China. By means of dual culture method, they were examined for antagonism against Fusarium sambucinum, which causes potato dry rot. Ten of the isolates were found to be evidently antagonistic to the pathogen. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular analyses, the antagonistic isolates were identified as Trichoderma harzianum Rifai, Trichoderma longibrachiatum Rifai, Trichoderma atroviride Karsten and Trichoderma virens. Among these isolates, D-3-1 (T. longibrachiatum) showed the strongest inhibition of the growth of Fusarium sambucinum.

Key words: Trichoderma, potato, dry rot, biological control, Fusarium sambucinum.