Trichoderma stromaticum: A potential biological control agent for black root rot in strawberries

Trichoderma stromaticum (T-10), isolated from healthy strawberry roots, was previously shown to reduce black root rot (BRR) in 'Honeoye' strawberries planted in pots with naturally infested or inoculated soil. To determine the optimal concentration, aqueous spore suspensions of T-10 (10 su...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Phytopathology 2004-06, Vol.94 (6)
Main Authors: Olatinwo, RO, Sabaratnam, S, Schilder, AMC
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Fragaria
Pythium
Rhizoctonia fragariae
Trichoderma stromaticum
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Summary:Trichoderma stromaticum (T-10), isolated from healthy strawberry roots, was previously shown to reduce black root rot (BRR) in 'Honeoye' strawberries planted in pots with naturally infested or inoculated soil. To determine the optimal concentration, aqueous spore suspensions of T-10 (10 super(6), 10 super(7), and 10 super(8) conidia/ml) were applied as a root dip to 'Allstar' transplants planted in soil inoculated with Pythium sp., Rhizoctonia fragariae, or both. At all three concentrations, T-10 significantly reduced severity of root lesions compared to the untreated control. However. T-10 was more effective at controlling lesions caused by R. fragariae than by Pythium sp. or both pathogens together. In 2002, T-10 was applied as a root dip to 'Honeoye' transplants at two field sites with a BRR history in Michigan. At one site, the total fruit weight and number of berries the following season was significantly greater in T-10 treated plants than in untreated control plants or plants treated with PlantShield (T. harzianum). Yields did not differ significantly at the other site. The results suggest that T-10 may be beneficial to strawberries as a pre-plant treatment, and may be better adapted to the strawberry rhizosphere than T. harzianum.
ISSN:0031-949X