Antagonism potential mediated by volatile organic compounds produced by Trichoderma spp. on Agroathelia rolfsii
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33837/msj.v9i1.1760Keywords:
Biological control, mycelial growth, interaction, agricultural sustainabilityAbstract
A diversity of polyvalent strains of Trichoderma spp. has been widely employed in the biological control of plant pests and diseases, being recognized for its effectiveness by contributing sustainable alternatives to agriculture. In this study, 21 Trichoderma spp. isolates (wild and transformed) were analyzed with the aim of identifying those capable of producing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with antagonistic activity against Agroathelia rolfsii, a phytopathogen originating from soybean. The assay was conducted in vitro using the double-plate technique, which allows microorganism interaction through a shared atmosphere without direct contact. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of 21 Trichoderma spp. isolates with three replicates (paired with one isolate of A. rolfsii), totaling 63 experimental units (excluding controls for the phytopathogen and Trichoderma spp. isolates). The plates were incubated at 27 °C with a 12-hour photoperiod. After complete colonization of the controls, colony diameters (mm) were measured using a digital caliper, and the mean percentages of mycelial growth inhibition (%) were calculated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, and means were compared using the Scott–Knott test (1974) at a 5% significance level, with the aid of R software. Regarding the area under the curve of mycelial growth progress of Trichoderma spp. isolates (AUMGPC–Tri), isolates IF 114, IF 123, IF 132, and IF 135 showed the highest values, whereas the lowest values were observed for IF 113, IF 124, IF 127, IF 130, and IF 137. Concerning the apparent mycelial growth rate of Trichoderma spp. isolates (AUMGPC–Tri), the highest values were recorded for IF 113, IF 125, IF 126, and IF 127, while the lowest values were observed for IF 114, IF 124, IF 130, IF 131, and IF 135. With respect to the antagonistic effect itself, the lowest values of the area under the curve of mycelial growth progress of the pathogen A. rolfsii (AUCMG–Pat), indicative of greater pathogen inhibition, were observed for isolates IF 114, IF 119, IF 132, IF 133, IF 134, and IF 135, whereas the highest values were recorded for isolates IF 124, IF 126, IF 130, and IF 137, which were therefore considered less effective in inhibiting the growth of A. rolfsii. Isolates IF 113, IF 119, IF 121, IF 126, IF 127, IF 130, IF 131, IF 132, IF 133, and IF 135 more markedly reduced the mycelial expansion rate of A. rolfsii, whereas IF 114, IF 120, IF 122, IF 123, IF 124, IF 125, IF 128, IF 129, IF 134, IF 136, and IF 137 showed a lower effect on this variable. Trichoderma spp. isolates exhibited considerable variation in their ability to inhibit mycelial growth and expansion rate of A. rolfsii. Isolates such as IF 114, IF 119, IF 132, IF 133, IF 134, and IF 135 demonstrated greater antagonistic potential, indicating their relevance as candidates for the biocontrol of this pathogen. Thus, the results highlight that the selection of promising isolates for the biocontrol of A. rolfsii should jointly consider growth vigor and, most importantly, efficiency in pathogen suppression.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ana Luiza da Silva Mendes, Leidy Ximena Figueroa Cossio, Yamile Salvatierra Nuñez, Ana Carolina Pereira Fonseca, Ricardo Rodrigues Junior, Luiz Fillipe Martins Melo, Carlos Gabriel Xavier Dourado, Luiza Pereira Costa, Mileny da Silva, Ana Claudia dos Santos, Walter Baida Garcia Coutinho, Melina Korres Raimundi, Rejane Araújo Guimarães, Erica Fernandes Leão Araújo, Milton Luiz da Paz Lima

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