Compatibility of Trichoderma asperellum with Different Fungicides

Abstract

The effectiveness of biological control agents in integrated disease management programs may be weakened by the use of fungicides to treat plant diseases. Applying fungicides must not impede the action of efficient biocontrol agents. Among these, Trichoderma species have long been known to have the ability to suppress a variety of plant pathogens via different mechanisms. In the present study, the compatibility of Trichoderma asperellum with nine chemical fungicides was evaluated under in vitro conditions at three different concentrations to assess their impact on the mycelial growth of Trichoderma. In the present study, the compatibility of Trichoderma asperellum with nine chemical fungicides was evaluated under in vitro conditions at three different concentrations to assess their impact on the mycelial growth of Trichoderma asperellum. The results revealed that Carbendazim 50 WP (50, 100, 150 ppm), Carbendazim (12%)+Mancozeb (63%) 75 WP (50, 100, 200 ppm), Hexaconazole 5 SC, and Tebuconazole 25.9% EC (25, 50, 100 ppm) were incompatible with T. asperellum, inhibiting its growth significantly. In contrast, Metalaxyl 35 SD, Mancozeb 75 WP (250, 500, 750 ppm), Thiram 75 WP (50, 100, 200 ppm), Copper oxychloride 50 WP (250, 500, 750 ppm), and Thiram + Carboxin 75 WS (50, 100, 200 ppm) were found highly compatible, allowing effective growth of Trichoderma even at higher concentrations. The necessity of choosing compatible fungicides when implementing Trichoderma in integrated disease management programs was highlighted by the general trend of decreased mycelial growth with increasing fungicide concentration.