Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma asperellum are potential biocontrol agents of Meloidogyne javanica in banana cv. Grande Naine

Abstract

Biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes by Trichoderma has been widely studied, especially in annual crops such as soybean and cotton, but scarcely explored in the banana crop. Phytonematodes often attack banana plantations, and the species of Meloidogyne typically are the most frequent. Depending on the nematode population, they lead to yield losses or even plant death. Despite several Trichoderma commercial products registered in Brazil as biofungicides or bionematicides, there is a single one recommended to manage Meloidogyne incognita, with no approvals for M. javanica. The objective of this study was to evaluate two Trichoderma harzianum isolates (ALL42 and IBLF006) and the T. asperellum T00 strain as antagonists of M. javanica and as inducers of systemic resistance on bananas. Greenhouse experiments were conducted by treating seedlings of the Grande Naine susceptible cultivar with conidia suspension of the isolates. The enzymatic activity of CHId and GLUeon banana leaves was evaluated at 7, 14, and 21 days after inoculation (DAI). Plant growth and nematode population were evaluated at 60 DAI. T. harzianum ALL42 and T. harzianum IBFL006 reduced the M. javanica population on banana roots by up to 55.2 % and 67.9 %, respectively, in contrast to T. asperellum T00 that was inefficient. Enzymatic activity of CHI in plants non-inoculated with the nematode was higher at 14 DAI and decreased afterward. CHI and GLU activity were higher at 21 DAI in plants treated with isolate IBFL006 and grown in infested soil. The treatments did not promote plant growth. The effect of T. harzianum isolates was tested “in vitro” as filtrate or conidia suspension on mortality of J2 individuals. ALL42 and IFBL006 non-autoclaved filtrates promoted the highest M. javanica mortality rates of 59.6 %, and 68.8 % respectively.