Volatile organic compounds produced by Trichoderma sp. morphophysiologically altered maize growth at initial stages

Abstract

Fungi of the genus Trichoderma are important microorganisms for increasing plant growth. However, few studies have evaluated the potential of volatile compounds produced by the fungus Trichoderma spp. and it's potential as promoters and beneficiaries with respect to maize cultivation. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of volatile compounds produced by Trichoderma spp. and their potential for morphophysiological improvement in the initial growth of corn crops. The experiment was conducted in a factorial scheme (2x6+1), arranged in a completely randomized design, with two evaluation times (7 and 15 days after emergence (DAE) and five Trichoderma spp. isolates (plus one control). The isolates were classified as the following species and identified with the following codes: UFT-25: Trichoderma harzianum; UFT-37: Trichoderma pinnatium; UFT-57: Trichoderma virens; UFT-201: Trichoderma asperellum and UFT-204: Trichoderma longibrachiatum. The volatile compounds produced by Trichoderma spp. and inoculated in culture medium present in each experimental unit without direct contact with the roots of the plants, promoted an increase mass production and changed morphology and physiology, especially plant height, leaf area, absolute and relative growth rate, Falker chlorophyll index, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (RuBisCo), and net photosynthesis rate