Theses and Dissertations Collection

The fungi Trichoderma spp. have been extensively studied and received considerable attention as biological control agents against many plant pathogenic fungi and nematodes. The goal of our study was to evaluate the ability of T. harzianum to reduce diseases caused by Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani, and the pale cyst nematode Globodera pallida in potato. In addition, proliferation of T. harzianum mycelia through soil media and potato root system have been determined. The introduced fungus T. harzianum ThzID1 significantly reduced disease incidence in potato roots caused by R. solani, however disease reduction caused by F. solani was not significant. The added ThzID1-M3 significantly reduced G. pallida cysts formation in soil, and also reduced G. pallida juvenile nematodes in potato roots. Trichoderma harzianum ThzID1-M3 mycelia significantly proliferated in soil media, over G. pallida cyst surface, and potato roots. In conclusion, T. harzianum ThzID1-M3 showed promise as a potential biocontrol agent.