Effect of Trichoderma spp. fungus for production of seedlings in Enterolobium Schomburgkii (Benth.) Benth

Abstract

Enterolobium schomburgkii (monkey ear) is important Amazonic forest specie, being used for wood and medicinal purposes and environmental recuperation issues. Biological treatment such as Trichoderma fungus is alternative method that may improve performance of seeds germination and provide healthy seedlings. We aimed to assess effect of Trichoderma fungus on development of E. schomburgkii seedlings. Five isolates of Trichoderma spp., in the concentration of 1.0 x 107 conidia.mL-1, were assessed and applied through four methods: seeds; pre-planting substrate; post-planting substrate; and seed + pre-planting + post-planting substrate. The seedlings were produced in polypropylene bags and kept in nursery for 10 months. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 5x4+1 factorial scheme, with 10 repetitions. We monthly assessed the plant height, collar diameter and number of leaves and leaflets. After 10 months, we assessed root length, dry matter of aerial part and dry matter of roots system. The results showed that variables were significantly influenced by Trichoderma isolates and its application modes, either individually or under interaction, except on the root length. Eight treatments boosted the plants height and five of them increased the collar diameter, compared with the control. The height of the seedlings was the variable that mostly influenced by the treatments. Application of Trichoderma in pre-planting substrate influenced the highest number of variables analyzed. Therefore, the isolates application used in this work is feasible for production of Enterolobium schomburgkii seedlings. Based on results of this experiment we do not recommended treatment of Enterolobium schomburgkii seeds with Trichoderma isolates, except using T. asperellum T09