Efficiency of Some Trichoderma Species against Stem Rot of Sunflower

İstekli Temel Y., Erper İ., Karaca G.

International Journal of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, cilt.8, sa.3, ss.187-198, 2025 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

Stem rot is among the most important diseases of sunflower. Although fungicide usage is the most common method against plant diseases, biological control gained importance, because of the negative side effect of pesticides against human health and the environment. In this study; in vitro and in vivo efficiency of Trichoderma atroviride, T. hamatum, T. harzianum and T. longibrachiatum against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, S. minor and Macrophomina phaseolina causing stem rot on sunflower, was investigated. In the dual culture tests, T. atroviride and T. hamatum had higher inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of the pathogens. However, in vivo studies showed that the lowest disease severity rates were obtained by T. harzianum and T. longibrachiatum against M. phaseolina and by T. hamatum and T. longibrachiatum against S. minor, while S. sclerotiorum was more efficiently suppressed by T. harzianum. All Trichoderma applications caused an increase on some of the growth parameters of sunflower plants, when compared to controls. Similarly, all applications caused an increase in total phenolic contents of the plants when compared to control groups. The highest total phenolic amounts were found at the estimations made 48 h after inoculations, in all applications. Although the level of their antagonistic effects changed depending on the pathogens and experimental conditions, all Trichoderma species suppressed stem rot pathogens. Trichoderma species also activated resistance mechanisms of sunflower plants to pathogens and induced plant growth. After the confirmation of the results by field trials, they can be used as an environmental friendly alternative control agents against sunflower stem rot pathogens.