Biological Control Of Fusarium Wilt Research Articles

Antifungal activity of essential oils emulsions, their bioactive compounds, and biological control of Fusarium wilt of Majorana hortensis

Antifungal activity of essential oils emulsions, their bioactive compounds, and biological control of Fusarium wilt of Majorana hortensis

Screening and Analysis of Antifungal Strains Bacillus subtilis JF-4 and B. amylum JF-5 for the Biological Control of Fusarium Wilt of Banana.

This study aimed to identify the antagonistic bacteria from the rhizosphere of healthy bananas that can effectively suppress the Fusarium wilt of banana, and to further investigate the inhibitory mechanism. The primary and secondary screening techniques were implemented using the double-plate and fermentation antagonism methods. The strain was identified based on physiological and biochemical tests, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and specific gene amplification. The effects of crude extract on the protein content, lipid peroxidation, and pectinase activity of mycelia were determined from the identified isolates. Two antagonistic bacteria, JF-4 and JF-5, were screened and initially identified as Bacillus subtilis (GenBank: OR125631) and B. amylum (GenBank: OR125632). The greenhouse experiment showed that the biological control efficiency of the two antagonists against the Fusarium wilt of banana was 48.3% and 40.3%, respectively. The catalase content produced by lipid peroxidation increased significantly after treatment with the crude extracts of JF-4 and JF-5 at concentrations of 0.69 μmol/L and 0.59 μmol/L, respectively. The protein and ergosterol content and pectinase activity decreased significantly. The two antagonistic bacteria might inhibit the growth of pathogens by enhancing lipid peroxidation and decreasing the synthesis of cell metabolites. Twenty compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). B. subtilis JF-4 was further sequenced and assembled to obtain a complete circular chromosome genome of 681,804,824 bp. The genome consisted of a 4,310,825-bp-long scaffold. The findings of this study may help elucidate the mechanism behind this biocontrol isolate.

Biological control of Fusarium-wilt and quality improvement of Sesamum indicum cv. ST-1 using fluorescent Pseudomonas

Seven plant growth-promoting bacterial strains (LES1-LES7) were isolated from rhizosphere of Lycoperscion esculentum Mill. (Tomato) and further screened based on colony morphology, carbon source utilization and biochemically characterized as fluorescent Pseudomonads. Among the isolates prominent strain identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa LES4 produced maximum siderophores in vitro besides indole acetic acid, hydrocyanic acid, solubilized insoluble inorganic phosphate and secreted β-1, 3-glucanase urease and chitin solubilizing enzymes chitinase. It also exhibited a strong antagonism against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. sesami when co-cultured on nutrient agar medium and inhibiting the growth of the pathogen by 69% after 5 days incubation at 28 ± 1°C. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L. cv. ST-1). When surface sterilized seeds bacterized with P. aeruginosa LES4 showed enhancement in seedling sprouting early vegetative growth, and increased seed yield components viz. biomass accumulation, and all other yield and quality improving components. Strain LES4 significantly reduced the wilt disease of sesame in F. oxysporum f.sp. sesami-infested soil. Moreover, Tn5 induced streptomycin resistant trans-conjugants of spontaneous tetracycline-resistant LES4 (designated LES4tetra+strep+) used to exhibit efficient rhizosphere colonization of sesame. Such properties of fluorescent P. aeruginosa LES4 prove it as a beneficial and potential microbial agent against wilt causing sesame.

Evaluation of Pseudomonas and Bacillus Strains as Potential Biocontrol Agents against Fusarium Wilt of Chickpea

Evaluation of Pseudomonas and Bacillus Strains as Potential Biocontrol Agents against Fusarium Wilt of Chickpea

Molecular Characterization of the First Alternavirus Identified in Fusarium oxysporum.

A novel mycovirus named Fusarium oxysporum alternavirus 1(FoAV1) was identified as infecting Fusarium oxysporum strain BH19, which was isolated from a fusarium wilt diseased stem of Lilium brownii. The genome of FoAV1 contains four double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) segments (dsRNA1, dsRNA 2, dsRNA 3 and dsRNA 4, with lengths of 3.3, 2.6, 2.3 and 1.8 kbp, respectively). Additionally, dsRNA1 encodes RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and dsRNA2- dsRNA3- and dsRNA4-encoded hypothetical proteins (ORF2, ORF3 and ORF4), respectively. A homology BLAST search, along with multiple alignments based on RdRp, ORF2 and ORF3 sequences, identified FoAV1 as a novel member of the proposed family “Alternaviridae”. Evolutionary relation analyses indicated that FoAV1 may be related to alternaviruses, thus dividing the family “Alternaviridae” members into four clades. In addition, we determined that dsRNA4 was dispensable for replication and may be a satellite-like RNA of FoAV1—and could perhaps play a role in the evolution of alternaviruses. Our results provided evidence for potential genera establishment within the proposed family “Alternaviridae”. Additionally, FoAV1 exhibited biological control of Fusarium wilt. Our results also laid the foundations for the further study of mycoviruses within the family “Alternaviridae”, and provide a potential agent for the biocontrol of diseases caused by F. oxysporum.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Effects of vermicompost on tomato Fusarium wilt and soil microbial community structure

This article has been retracted from publication in the Taylor & Francis journal, Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B — Soil & Plant Science. Following publication, concerns were raised by multiple third-parties around the content of the special issue and the decision-making process. Following an investigation by the Taylor & Francis Publishing Ethics & Integrity team in full cooperation with the Editor-in-Chief, it was confirmed that this article included in Special Issue titled “ Envisage Computer Modelling and Statistics for Agriculture”, guest edited by Gunasekaran Manogaran was not peer-reviewed appropriately, in line with the Journal's peer review standards and policy. As the stringency of the peer review process is core to the integrity of the publication process, the Editor and Publisher have decided to retract all of the articles within the above-named Special Issue. The journal has not confirmed if the authors were aware of this compromised peer review process. The journal is committed to correcting the scientific record and will fully cooperate with any institutional investigations into this matter. The authors have been informed of this decision. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines.

Biological control of Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium equiseti in Vicia faba with broad spectrum antifungal plant-associated Bacillus spp.

Fusarium wilt caused by root infections by Fusarium equiseti is a serious disease of Vicia faba that causes significant economic losses in bean. Among management strategies, biological control is a sustainable alternative to chemical control, and Bacillus species emerge as suitable candidates. Bacillus strains have been developed in recent years as biocontrol agents of several plant diseases, mainly for fungal root disease control. In this study, 24 strains of Bacillus spp. were selected among 455 isolates obtained from V. faba plants for their antifungal activity against a broad-spectrum of phytopathogenic fungi belonging to Fusarium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Botrytis, and Rutstroemia genera. Particularly, the strains which inhibited growth of F. equiseti were identified as B. cereus, B. mojavensis, B. velezensis, B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens by sequencing rpoB gene. The strains were further characterized for the presence of cyclolipopeptides (cLP) genes (fenD, bmyB, spaS, dfnM, ituA, mycA, srfAA), genes encoding plant-induced resistance factors (ysnE, yxvQ, β-Glu), and for the production of lipopeptides (iturins, fengycins, surfactins), indoleacetic acid, siderophores, hydrocyanic acid, extracellular enzymes (amylase, protease, pectinase, cellulase) and phosphate solubilization. Hierarchical and correspondence analysis showed the clustering of Bacillus strains into three different groups, where the strains with the highest antifungal activity are correlated to the presence of different biosynthetic genes and production of broad spectra of metabolites. They include strains of B. amyloliquefaciens, B. velezensis, B. subtilis and B. mojavensis. Furthermore, these strains showed high levels of Fusarium wilt reduction in V. faba under greenhouse conditions, as well as they have shown plant promoting activity.

Biological control of Fusarium wilt of sesame by Penicillium bilaiae 47M-1

The purpose of the present study was to explore the control of Fusarium wilt of sesame caused by Fusarium oxysporum via Penicillium sp. 47M-1. Isolate 47M-1 was isolated from rhizosphere soil samples of tobacco and identified as Penicillium bilaiae based on morphological characteristics and ITS-rDNA, β-tubulin and calmodulin sequences. Isolate 47M-1 inhibited the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum by 81.3% and overgrew the colonies of F. oxysporum in co-cultures. In a potting test, the control efficiency of isolate 47M-1 against Fusarium wilt of sesame was 50%, which was superior to that of Bacillus subtilis (P = 0.022). There was no significant difference (P = 0.068) in the control of Fusarium wilt between treatment with the fungicide carbendazim and treatment with isolate 47M-1. The results also showed that isolate 47M-1 and its culture filtrate significantly promoted the growth of sesame. Quantitative real time-PCR detection showed that the response-related genes NPR1, Coi1, PR1, PR2 and PR3 were significantly upregulated under the combined stimulation of isolate 47M-1 and F. oxysporum compared to their expression under F. oxysporum treatment alone. In conclusion, isolate 47M-1 can control Fusarium wilt of sesame via multiple mechanisms, including competition, production of inhibitory substances, promotion of plant growth and induction of disease resistance.

Are Trichoderma atroviride and Trichoderma harzianum Effective to Control Fusarium Associated with Tomato Wilt?

The pathogenic fungi, such as Fusarium in the rhizosphere of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) negatively affects the yield and quality of the plant. A number of biological control agents have been used for protecting tomato plants against wilt diseases including various fungal species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antagonism effects of Trichoderma atroviride and T. harzianum against the pathogen Fusarium sp. associated with tomato wilt. In this study, the antagonism of these Trichoderma spp. against the Fusarium sp. was tested in vitro by the dual culture technique, and the percentage inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) and the antagonism reaction (scale 1-5) were evaluated. The results showed that T. atroviride and T. harzianum led to 70.8% PIRG and scale 1 antagonism reaction, and 40.6% PIRG and scale 3 antagonism reaction against Fusarium sp. associated with tomato wilt after 7 days of incubation, respectively. These results indicate that application of T. atroviride and T. harzianum may be promising approach for biological control of Fusarium wilt of tomato and may play an important role in sustainable agriculture.

A Novel Ourmia-Like Mycovirus Confers Hypovirulence-Associated Traits on Fusarium oxysporum.

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. momordicae (FoM) is an important fungal disease that affects the production of bitter gourd. Hypovirulence-associated mycoviruses have great potential and application prospects for controlling the fungal disease. In this study, a novel ourmia-like virus, named Fusarium oxysporum ourmia-like virus 1 (FoOuLV1), was isolated from FoM strain HuN8. The viral genomic RNA is 2,712 nucleotides (nt) in length and contains an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) using either standard or mitochondrial codes. In strain HuN8, there was also a FoOuLV1-associated RNA segment with 1,173 nt in length with no sequence homology. Phylogenetic analysis showed that FoOuLV1 is a member of the genus Magoulivirus of the family Botourmiaviridae. FoOuLV1 was found to be associated with hypovirulence in FoM. Moreover, FoOuLV1 and its hypovirulence trait can be transmitted horizontally to other FoM strains and also to other formae speciale strains of F. oxysporum. In addition, FoOuLV1 showed significant biological control effect against the bitter gourd Fusarium wilt. To our knowledge, this study reveals the first description of a hypovirulence-associated ourmia-like mycovirus, which has the potential to the biological control of Fusarium wilt.

Biological control of Fusarium wilt and growth promotion in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) by antagonistic rhizobacteria, displaying multiple modes of pathogen inhibition

Fusarium udum is one of the most important pathogens impacting the production of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) legume. Legume growers depend heavily on pesticides; however, toxicity danger to farmers, consumers, non-target organisms as well as environmental health cause huge concern. Besides, the rise of fungicide resistance is problematic. The objectives of this study were to decipher the multiple mechanisms of biological control in previously identified two promising rhizobacteria (Pseudomonas sp. NS 1 and Bacillus sp. NS 22) in vitro and evaluate their disease suppression and plant growth promotion ability in pigeon pea in vivo. These rhizobacteria inhibited F. udum mycelia growth and biomass in vitro and reduced wilt disease severity in plants grown in Fusarium-infested soil in controlled environmental conditions. Fungicidal action of these rhizobacteria was due to the production of numerous biocidal compounds including different antifungal metabolites, chitinolytic (endochitinase, exochitinase, chitobiase) and other cell wall degrading lytic enzymes (proteinase, cellulose, amylase, pectinase, lipase), siderophores, and antifungal volatile compounds such as ammonia and cyanide. In planta assay, these rhizobacteria made the plant more resistant to fungal attacks through the induction of systemic defense in host tissue by improving the status of different defense enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia lyase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase) and phenolics. Furthermore, these two bacteria significantly reduced disease severity, root mortality, and at the same time, promoted shoot and root elongation in pigeon pea seedlings as compared to the absolute, pathogen, and chemical control. In nutshell, Pseudomonas sp. NS 1 and Bacillus sp. NS 22 displayed the potential as biofungicides and biofertilizers to prevent F. udum induced disease incidence and promote plant growth in an integrative disease and nutrient management approach of sustainable agriculture practices.

Short Communication: Biological control of Fusarium wilt on banana plants using biofertilizers

Abstract. Widyantoro A, Hadiwiyono, Subagiya. 2020. Biological control of Fusarium wilt on banana plants using biofertilizers. Biodiversitas 21: 2119-2123. Fusarium wilt is an important disease of banana caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC). The FOC is a weak parasite that attacks many bananas whose conditions are weak such as nutrients. Therefore, controlling Fusarium wilt through fertilization is important so that bananas are not nutrient deficient which can cause plants to be susceptible to FOC. The research aimed to study the effect of biofertilizer applications on FOC suppression in planta. Seven treatments were tested on banana seedlings cv. Ambon Kuning under a completely randomized design: (i) no biofertilizer, (ii) carrier material of biofertilizer, (iii) comparative biofertilizer product, (iv) Azotobacter, (v) Azospirillum, (vi) Streptomyces and (vii) Bacillus. The present study showed that biofertilizer agents were antagonistic to Fusarium wilt. The results showed that biofertilizer agents had the potential to suppress the Fusarium wilt in planta. Streptomyces and Bacillus were the most effective in controlling the Fusarium wilt. Azotobacter and Azospirillum had not been able to prevent the incidence of wilt disease.

Community Structures and Antifungal Activity of Root-Associated Endophytic Actinobacteria in Healthy and Diseased Cucumber Plants and Streptomyces sp. HAAG3-15 as a Promising Biocontrol Agent.

Microorganisms related to plant roots are vital for plant growth and health and considered to be the second genome of the plant. When the plant is attacked by plant pathogens, the diversity and community structure of plant-associated microbes might be changed. The goal of this study is to characterize differences in root-associated endophytic actinobacterial community composition and antifungal activity between Fusarium wilt diseased and healthy cucumber and screen actinobacteria for potential biological control of Fusarium wilt of cucumber. In the present research, three healthy plants (also termed “islands”) and three obviously diseased plants (naturally infected by F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum) nearby the islands collected from the cucumber continuous cropping greenhouse were chosen as samples. Results of culture-independent and culture-dependent analysis demonstrated that actinomycetes in the healthy roots were significantly more abundant than those of diseased roots. Moreover, there were seven strains with antifungal activity against F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum in healthy cucumber roots, but only one strain in diseased cucumber roots. Out of these eight strains, the isolate HAAG3-15 was found to be best as it had the strongest antifungal activity against F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, and also exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Thus, strain HAAG3-15 was selected for studying its biocontrol efficacy under greenhouse conditions. The results suggested that the disease incidence and disease severity indices of cucumber Fusarium wilt greatly decreased (p < 0.05) while the height and shoot fresh weight of cucumber significantly increased (p < 0.05) after inoculating strain HAAG3-15. On the basis of morphological characteristics, physiological and biochemical properties and 100% 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence similarity with Streptomyces sporoclivatus NBRC 100767T, the isolate was assigned to the genus Streptomyces. Moreover, azalomycin B was isolated and identified as the bioactive compound of strain HAAG3-15 based on analysis of spectra using a bioactivity-guided method. The stronger antifungal activity against F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, the obvious effect on disease prevention and growth promotion on cucumber seedlings in the greenhouse assay, and the excellent broad-spectrum antifungal activities suggest that strain HAAG3-15 could be developed as a potential biocontrol agent against F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum used in organic agriculture. These results suggested that the healthy root nearby the infected plant is a good source for isolating biocontrol and plant growth-promoting endophytes.

Biological control of Fusarium wilt in crop plants using non-pathogenic isolates of Fusarium species

Many species of the genus Fusarium resemble each other morphologically. In many cases morphological differentiation is difficult, molecular tools are used. Pathogenic as well as non-pathogenic isolates have same habitat and colonize plant root system with equal measure. Since non-pathogenic isolates resemble pathogenic isolates in their nutritional and abiotic requirements, many attempts have been made to utilize them as biocontrol agents to manage Fusarium wilt diseases. Although these isolates colonize plants, they do not induce disease symptoms. They are primarily soil inhabiting in nature; once introduced in it remain in the soil for very long time providing significant and consistent disease control. Herewith we give a review and summary of different reports of non-pathogenic Fusarium in different cropping systems, mode of action (antibiosis, plant growth promotion and induced systemic resistance), molecular basis of bioassay and identification, environmental conditions, different formulations, cross protection as well as effects on non-target crops.

Biological control of Fusarium wilt of tomato by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with intercropping

Biological control of Fusarium wilt of tomato by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with intercropping

Biological control of Fusarium wilt in tomato by endophytic rhizobactria

The Fusarium Wilt disease that is caused by Fusarium oxosporium is considered one of the most important diseases that threatens the agricultural production of tomato. In this study, the isolation of 52 Enterobacter strains that were isolated from the roots of healthy tomato plants in fields also containing tomato plants infected with the Fusarium Wilt disease were present. These Enterobacter strains were diagnosed by two methods: Api Kit 20E and biochemical test. In this study the antagonism of these isolated Enterobacter strains against the etiological agent for Fusarium Wilt disease were tested in vitro. The recent study of antagonism against Fusarium oxosporium showed that there are only two species strains out of 52 have antagonism against Fusarium oxosporium, and these strains are: Pseudomonas flourscence, and Basillus subtilis.However these three isolated strains have antagonism against growth of Fusarium oxosporium and the inhibition zone ranged from (1.5 to 11 ml). The selected isolates were evaluated in vitro for their activities related to plant nutrition and plant growth regulation. Both of these assessed endophytes were found to exhibit capabilities in ammonia and indole acetic acid (IAA) production as well as phosphate solubilization. It is concluded that application of Pseudomonas flourscence and Basillus subtilis may be promising approach for biological control of the tomato bacterial wilt and may play an important role in sustainable agriculture.

Soil sterilization, pathogen and antagonist concentration affect biological control of Fusarium wilt of cape gooseberry by Bacillus velezensis Bs006

Background and aimFusarium wilt (FW) is the major constraint on cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) production. Fungicides have been ineffective in disease control and alternative tools are not available. Bacillus velezensis (formerly Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) strain Bs006 has an antagonistic potential against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. physali (Foph). However, results of in vivo tests have been variable. We examined the effect of biotic sources of variability on the biocontrol activity of Bs006.MethodsPot experiments in greenhouse were carried out to determine the influence of soil sterilization and concentration of both pathogen and antagonist in soil on biocontrol activity and the effect of pathogen on plant growth promotion by Bs006.ResultsEfficacy of Bs006 against FW was significantly lower under sterile than non-sterile soil condition. Diluted liquid culture of Bs006 at 1 × 106 and 1 × 107 cfu.mL−1 reduced FW by up to 97% under low Foph inoculum pressure (102 to 104 cfu.g−1 of soil) but at 1 × 108 cfu.mL−1 biological treatment significantly reduced FW only when the concentration of Foph was 1 × 104 cfu.g−1 by 71%. The evaluation of biomass of Bs006 (1 × 108 cfu.mL−1) and supernatant free of bacteria added at 10% allowed to observe that the supernatant was an additional source of biocontrol variability, since high volumes of supernatant favored the development of the disease. Plant growth promoting activity by Bs006 was reduced by the presence of Foph in the soil. Bs006 grew endophytically in cape gooseberry and had high population levels in the rhizosphere inoculated with Foph.ConclusionsThe efficacy of Bs006 to reduce FW was affected by soil sterilization, the concentration of both antagonist and pathogen, and high volumes of supernatant. This work has practical implications for the design of control strategies based on B. velezensis Bs006.

Banana Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense) Control and Resistance, in the Context of Developing Wilt-resistant Bananas Within Sustainable Production Systems

Banana (Musa spp.) is seriously threatened by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), also known as Panama disease. Attempts to control Fusarium wilt with fungicides damage soil health and have limited efficiency due to pathogenic variability. Elucidating the mechanism of infection and molecular basis of host defense through banana genome sequencing, genome editing and proteomic profile analysis will help formulate strategies to develop resistant cultivars. This will include research to better understand the functions of Fusarium wilt-resistance proteins. Transgenic approaches and protoplast fusion could be employed as tools for transferring resistance genes from wild relatives to commercial banana varieties, and may serve as a new strategy in solving the problems faced by banana breeding programmes. Evaluation of banana germplasm for resistance to Fusarium wilt using in vitro mutation and selection, along with somaclonal variation and somatic hybridization, could improve banana breeding efficiency for resistance against Foc. Plant hormones could also play an important role in regulating plant growth and defense by mediating developmental processes and signaling networks involved in banana responses to Foc. A complementary approach for managing Fusarium wilt, such as exclusion, surveillance and biological control as important components of integrated disease management programs must be considered to prevent and contain contagion. This includes studies on banana plant-microbe interactions, embracing both plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to induce Foc resistance, and exploring Foc-derived elicitors for inducing defense-related enzymes in bananas. The role of Silicon and crop and livestock integration must also be included in the Fusarium control toolbox. The current review also gathers knowledge of the biotechnological approaches along with biological control of Fusarium wilt of banana that will provide researchers insights and criteria to develop future studies.

Induction of systemic resistance in chickpea against Fusarium wilt by Bacillus strains

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains Rb29 (B. amyloliquefaciens MF352007), Bs1 (B. subtilis MF352017) and Bt1 (B. tequilensis MF352019) were tested for growth promotion and for their ability to induce systemic resistance against Fusarium wilt, a vascular disease of chickpea, using two methods that include whole plant and a split-root system. Bacillus strains and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (FOC) were inoculated on separate halves of roots of chickpea seedlings at the same time and then planted in separate pots either in superposition or one side of the other. All Bacillus strains systemically induced resistance against FOC, and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the wilt disease by 98–100%. Application of Bacillus strains effectively enhanced plant growth, leading to increased plant height, root length, a fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots. These results help to explain the role of strains of Bacillus in growth promotion and biological control of Fusarium wilt in chickpea. This is the first report of systemic-induced resistance against Fusarium wilt in chickpea obtained by application of Bacillus strains to a root system spatially separated from the FOC-inoculated root.

Evaluation of biological control of fusarium wilt in gerbera with Trichoderma asperellum

The increase in flower cultivation in recent years has been reflecting the higher incidence of soil pathogens that can cause serious problems. This study aimed to evaluate the biological control of Fusarium wilt in gerbera with Trichoderma asperellum. The evaluated treatments were: T1) Control, only sterile substrate; T2) Substrate + Fusarium oxysporum; T3) Substrate + Fusarium oxysporum + Trichoderma asperellum; and T4) Substrate + Trichoderma asperellum. For this, the pathogen was isolated from gerbera with disease symptoms and, subsequently, it was identified according to morphological characters. Furthermore, the degree of antagonism of T. asperellum against F. oxysporum was evaluated through the culture pairing test. For greenhouse evaluations, commercial autoclaved substrate was used and infested with corn grains infected by the pathogen. Morphological identification confirmed the pathogen species as Fusarium oxysporum. In the culture pairing test, it was found that T. asperellum did not present a high degree of antagonism. The plants cultivated on substrate infested by the pathogen had no visible symptoms of wilt, but the substrate infestation with the pathogen provided lower values of fresh and dry mass of shoots and roots. The treatment with T. asperellum obtained higher values of fresh and dry mass of both shoots and roots, and also more vigorous inflorescences in relation to the plants treated with the pathogen