Abstract
The use of native Trichoderma strains has been proposed as a sustainable alternative to control cocoa diseases. The aim of this study was to assess indigenous Trichoderma strains from Bagua Province, Peru, with reference to their antagonistic characteristics in vitro and their potential for in vitro biocontrol against frosty pod rot (FPR) disease. A total of 199 strains were assessed for in vitro mycoparasitism, antibiosis, and potential antagonism. The effect of four strains was evaluated in vitro using epidemiological variables, yield, and efficacy at two sites (Copallín and La Peca). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were reported for all variables evaluated in vitro and in vitro. Mycoparasitism ranged from 32% to 100%, antibiosis from 33.36% to 57.92%, and potential antagonism from 42.36% to 78.64%. All strains were found to affect the in vitro-assessed parameters in addition to enhancing the productive yield. The efficiency ranged from 38.99% to 71.9% in Copallín, and 45.88% to 51.16% in La Peca. The CP24-6 strain showed the highest potential for biocontrol under field conditions when considering its effect on both sites.
Highlights
In Peru, cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is the second largest perennial crop with a total of 144,200 hectares
The presence of Trichoderma was noted by the existence of green conidia patches or cushions [23,24,25,26]
Trichoderma strains showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in parasitism against M. roreri, which ranged from 32% to 100% (Table 2)
Summary
In Peru, cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is the second largest perennial crop with a total of 144,200 hectares. In the region of Amazonas, this crop is one of the most representative. Bagua is one of the major areas for cultivation of native fine-flavor cocoa in the region and covers 2124 hectares [1]. In 2012, 56% of the national cocoa production was reported as common cocoa and 44% as fine-flavor cocoa [1]. In 2018, the cocoa cultivation area in Peru reached 199,000 hectares [2]. The amount of land area sown with cocoa has significantly grown due to the increased demand in
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