Biostimulant and suppressive effect of Trichoderma harzianum enriched compost for melon cultivation from greenhouse nursery to field production

Trichoderma harzianum T-78 (Th T-78) enriched compost was assayed as growing medium and organic amendment by testing the biostimulant, biofertilizer and suppressive effect on melon crop since the nursery to the field at biogreenhouse conditions. Th-T78 enriched compost showed the highest plant fresh weight and the lowest pathogen incidence both under artifiticial plant pathogen at the nursery conditions. At natural field conditions, the amendment into soil of this advanced compost also reduced natural infection percentage on melon plants and increased melon yields. Furthermore, muskmelon plants grown previosly sowed on the above compost combination showed lower pathogen incidence and higher melon yield than plants grown on traditional peat plus Th T-78. Therefore, this advanced composting proccess would be able to permit a more environmental respectful melon production with less chemical inputs.