Trichoderma spp. In the seeds quality of the cotton plant (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

Cotton (Gosspypium hirsutum L.) is infected by a series of pathogens that can be a limiting factor to its productivity. Featured to Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov) is worth mentioning. Among of new alternatives to the use of chemical control, fungi of the genus Trichoderma have been highlighted in biological control. Thus, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of Trichoderma spp. in the management of fusarium wilt in cotton and on the quality of seeds. Cotton seeds of the BRS 8H cultivar, with linter, were used. The treatments used were: Ecotrich^®, Quality^®, Trichodel^®, Trichoplus JCO^®, Carboxin^® and Captana^® according to the recommendation of each product. Fungal incidence, germination test, emergence test and antagonism were evaluated. The occurrence of Aspergillus sp., Aspergillus niger, Botrytis sp., Cercospora sp., Cladosporium sp., Chaetomium sp., Rhizopus sp., Fusarium vasinfectum and Penicillium sp. was observed in the seeds. The biological products were more efficient in controlling fusarium. The test of antagonism Trichoderma x Fusarium vasinfectum proved that products to the base of Trichoderma spp. in the tested conditions, provided inhibition of the fungal growth in vitro, being able to be recommended in the management of cotton seeds for Fusarium.