Evaluation of Trichoderma spp. Isolates in Cocoa Seed Treatment and Seedling Production.

Willian Nogueira De Sousa,Thiago Almeida Vieira,Cristina Aledi Felsemburgh,Denise Castro Lustosa,Nayane Fonseca Brito

doi:10.3390/plants10091964

Willian Nogueira De Sousa, Thiago Almeida Vieira + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10091964

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Abstract

Isolates of Trichoderma spp., a soil fungus, has been used to control diseases and promote plant growth, reducing the use of chemicals in the production of seedlings of different plant species. We evaluated the effect of some Trichoderma spp. isolates on seed treatment and seedling production of Theobroma cacao. Five isolates from the Amazon region were tested. In laboratory, the following variables were evaluated for seed treatments: germination, germination speed index, radicle and hypocotyl lengths, and fungi incidence. In nursery, the following forms of application were tested: via seeds; in the substrate at pre-planting; monthly in post-planting substrate, and also their combination. The following was evaluated: height, diameter, number of leaves, root length, leaf area, and shoot dry mass and root system. Inoculation with Trichoderma increased the length of the radicle and hypocotyl and showed no fungi in the seeds. In seedlings, some treatments increased height and plant root dry mass. The use of Trichoderma was beneficial for seeds and appeared favorable for T. cacao production.

Highlights

An increase in the use of biological agents in agriculture has been observed [1,2], which consists of the application of microorganisms or their metabolites to protect seeds and promote germination and plant growth and management of different pathogens and pests [3,4]
Germination was greater than 95% (Table 1)
Biological treatment of Theobroma cacao seeds had a positive effect on the development of seedling structures and fungal control

Summary

Introduction

An increase in the use of biological agents in agriculture has been observed [1,2], which consists of the application of microorganisms or their metabolites to protect seeds and promote germination and plant growth and management of different pathogens and pests [3,4]. Among the microorganisms that can be used, several isolates of Trichoderma spp. showed different mechanisms of action, such as antibiosis, mycoparasitism, competition, resistance induction, and growth promotion, in addition to solubilization of nutrients [5,6,7,8]. These properties provide productive and economic gains in the process of growing important crops. Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is a species of great economic and social importance globally. Its cultivation represents a good example for composing agroforestry systems, as it can be cultivated under the shade of the thinned native forest (“cabruca” system) in association with other species, without the need of deforestation [10]

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Discussion

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