Control of Cucumber Damping-off in the Field by the Bio-Agent Trichoderma harzianum
International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 4(2): 112-117
2014
Nofal . S. Al-Ameiri
Biological control of plant pathogens is becoming an important component in plant disease management. Pythium aphanidermatam is one of the most serious pathogens in cucumber at seedling stage, and can cause both pre- and post-emergence damping-off. Trichoderma spp. appeared to be effective in controlling soil-borne pathogenic fungi. Therefore, the present study aimed at assessing the efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum in controlling cucumber damping-off under field conditions. The current field study was carried out at Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Mutah University, Jordan during the growing season (April-May, 2012). Six different treatments were used in this study. Disease incidence and severity (pre- and post-emergence damping-off), and disease control percent were recorded. Results indicated that adding T. harzianum to the infested soil significantly reduced pre-emergence damping-off in cucumber. On contrast, in case of post-emergence there were no significant differences between the pathogen and the treatments using the bio-agent as conidia or conidial preparation. In the mycelium and mycelia preparation treatments, the damping-off decreased significantly when compared to all treatments. Addition of all bio-controling agents reduced significantly total damping-off. The highest reduction in damping-off percentage was recorded by T. harzianum when used as a mycelial preparation where it reached 70%. T. harzianum decreased disease severity to 16% in mycelial preparation treatment when compared to P. aphanidermatum treatment, where it reached up to 73%. In conclusion, T. harzianum has the ability to suppress damping-off in cucumber caused by P. aphanidermatum under field conditions, and increases the efficiency by supply foods to stimulate development by increasing the population and increase antibiotic products.
