Abstract
ABSTRACT Teak is a forest species that has assumed great importance in Brazil, where it has found excellent conditions for development since its introduction into the country in the 1960s. However, phytosanitary problems are beginning to threaten the production of this timber species. An example is teak canker, caused by the fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Lt), which has only recently been reported in Brazil, and for which, therefore, there are no recommended control methods. Thus, this study evaluated the control of this pathogen, investigating the potential of the biocontrol agents (BCAs) Trichoderma spp., Bacillus sp. and Enterobacter sp., initially through in vitro assays and, subsequently, with in vivo tests. According to the in vitro assay results, the Trichoderma isolates CEN162 and CEN1153 and the strain of Bacillus sp. (UnB1366) were the treatments that stood out, as they were able to completely inhibit mycelial growth of some isolates of Lt. When these isolates were tested in a preventive way, the control levels varied depending on the Lt isolate and the antagonist-clone interaction, where CEN162 (T. asperellum) and UnB166 (Bacillus sp.) showed 100% control. Thus, there is a positive correlation between the in vitro and in vivo tests, since the same BCAs stood out. Although good levels of control have been obtained with the BCAs used, it can be concluded that there is a variation in the antagonism to different Lt isolates or even in the antagonist-clone interaction, corroborating the information available in the scientific literature on this plant-pathogenic fungus.
Highlights
Teak (Tectona grandis Linn, F.) was introduced in Brazil in the 1960s, initially in the State of Mato Grosso, and its cultivation expanded to other Brazilian states
According to the in vitro assay results, the Trichoderma isolates CEN162 and CEN1153 and the strain of Bacillus sp. (UnB1366) were the treatments that stood out, as they were able to completely inhibit mycelial growth of some isolates of Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Lt). When these isolates were tested in a preventive way, the control levels varied depending on the Lt isolate and the antagonistclone interaction, where CEN162 (T. asperellum) and UnB166 (Bacillus sp.) showed 100% control
Good levels of control have been obtained with the biocontrol agents (BCAs) used, it can be concluded that there is a variation in the antagonism to different Lt isolates or even in the antagonist-clone interaction, corroborating the information available in the scientific literature on this plant-pathogenic fungus
Summary
Teak (Tectona grandis Linn, F.) was introduced in Brazil in the 1960s, initially in the State of Mato Grosso, and its cultivation expanded to other Brazilian states. This forest species has high commercial value, which has led Brazil to invest in breeding programs, focusing on rapid growth and productivity. Lt infects a large number of plants in different botanical families. It is a cosmopolitan fungus, polyphagous and opportunistic, with reduced pathogenic specialization, whose occurrence has been reported in several regions, causing the most varied symptoms (Punithalingam, 1980). Preventive or curative chemical control, employed in isolation, is not efficient, requiring the adoption of other management measures (Sales Júnior et al, 2009)
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