Efficacy of Trichoderma Species on some fungal Pathogens of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Grown in Kashere and its Environs

Abstract

The effect of Trichoderma species as biocontrol agents on some fungal pathogens was investigated. Random sample of both soil and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were collected around Kashere environs, and was used for the isolation of Trichoderma species and fungal pathogens of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) using standard plates count. Both Trichoderma species and fungal pathogens isolated, i.e Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Rhizoctonia solani were identified macroscopically based on their cultural characteristics and microscopically with the addition of lactophenol cotton blue as stain. Trichoderma species were used for the inhibition of the fungal pathogens isolated, using dual culture techniques, filter paper disc of 8mm was soaked in 0.00 mg (control), 5.00 mg and 10 mg of Trichoderma species concentration were used to test for the antifungal activity on Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Rhizoctonia solani in a cultured plate arranged in complete randomized design (CRD) and carried out in duplicates. Trichoderma species were found to inhibits significantly at P≤0.05 Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Rhizoctonia solani. The highest zone of inhibition was recorded in Aspergillus fumigatus (37.00 mm) followed by Rhizoctonia solani (35.50 mm) and then Aspergillus niger (19.00 mm) with the least zone of inhibition observed in Fusarium oxysporum (15.00 mm); Hence, Trichoderma species can be considered as biocontrol agents for the control of some fungal pathogens