Respuesta de plántulas de tomate a la aplicación de Trichoderma viride y extracto acuoso de nim

Abstract

The objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of Trichoderma viride «cepa Ts-3» and aqueous extract of neem seeds (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) On the growth and development of tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. ‘Ulises’). The experiment was carried out at the University of Pinar del Río, Cuba. Four treatments were established: control (seedlings without inoculations), seedlings + T. viride, seedlings + neem and seedlings + T. viride + nim, distributed in a completely random design, under conditions of trays and substrate based on Ferralitic Yellowish soil (70%), peat (20%) and rice husk (10%). Biostimulant activity of T. viride «cepa Ts-3» was found on the fresh root mass of the seedlings of tomato cv. ‘Ulises’; while the application of the aqueous extract of neem seeds negatively affected the growth and vegetative development of this cultivar, with a reduction of more than 40% of the fresh and dry biomass, although its inhibitory effect decreased in seedlings inoculated with T. viride «cepa Ts-3». The multivariate analysis allowed to differentiate the seedlings treated only with extract from those obtained in the other treatments and showed the possibility of combining the use of the agroecological alternatives evaluated.