Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 20: 1138 - 1145. Published August 7, 2009.
Potential of Trichoderma harzianum isolates in biocontrol of Colletotrichum capsici causing anthracnose of pepper (Capsicum spp.) in Nigeria
Ekefan E.J*., Jama A**., and Gowen S. R**.
* Department of Crop and Environmental Protection, University of Agriculture, P.M.B 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria
**Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AT, United Kingdom.
*Corresponding author email: drekefan@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the potential of Trichoderma harzianum isolates as biocontrol agents of C. capsici, causing anthracnose of pepper.
Methodology and results: Four isolates of T. harzianum (Th-F, Th-G, Th-I and Th-N) obtained from CABI Biosciences, Egham, UK were evaluated. In-vitro interactions between C. capsici and T. harzianum isolates showed that T. harzianum isolates significantly (P≤0.05) reduced colony radius of C. capsici compared to the control. Seed treatment with T. harzianum isolates compared to benomyl showed that incidence of C. capsici was significantly (P≤0.05) lower with benomyl followed by Th-G treated seeds than with the other treatments. Effect on radial growth and sporulation of C. capsici was highest (P≤0.05) when the seeds were treated with Th-G followed by Th-I, benomyl and Th-F. Percent germination was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in control followed by benomyl treated seeds compared to other treatments. Seed treatment with Th-F, Th-G and Th-I resulted in significantly (P≤0.05) lower percent dead seedlings compared to seeds inoculated with C. capsici (CAF2) alone. Seeds treated with Th-N had significantly higher seedling length compared to the seeds treated with CAF2 alone. All the T. harzianum isolates tested against soil borne C. capsici significantly (P≤0.05) reduced colony forming units of the pathogen during the first week but subsequently, there was no significant difference.
Conclusion and application of findings: The Trichoderma harzianum isolates tested suppressed the growth of C. capsici and reduced the incidence of the pathogen on seeds and soil. Further work will be required towards formulating the organism (Trichoderma harzianum) for field and post harvest application to Control anthracnose of pepper.
Key words: Anthracnose, bio-control, Colletotrichum capsici, pepper, Trichoderma.
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