POPULATION TRANSFER ALONG TRANSPLANTED SEEDLINGS AND LACK OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTION BY 3 TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM STRAINS

G. Kim-Jeong, B. Jeong, John M. Brown
Experiments were conducted to investigate changes in population densities of T-95, WT, and 1295–22 strains of Trichoderma harzianum, from plugs to the rhizosphere of transplanted seedlings, and their effects on seed germination and growth of Petunia hybrida and Lycopersicon lycopersicum. Seeds were sown in plug trays containing peat-based medium infested with or without T. harzianum. Seedlings were later transplanted into cellpacks containing medium with or without Trichoderma-infestation. Population densities before sowing ranged from about 105 to 107 colony-forming units (cfu).g-1 dry medium. Seed germination, plant height, and shoot fresh and dry weights were not enhanced consistently by any strain of T. harzianum. Plant responses did not change when single (germination medium only or growing medium only) and double (both germination and growing media) infestations were compared. Trichoderma density of about 105 cfu.g-1 dry medium or higher were maintained in all treatments except the control and those of one time germination medium infestation, and double infestation did not raise population density. These indicated that Trichoderma was carried over along transplants.
Kim-Jeong, G., Jeong, B. and Brown, John M. (1992). POPULATION TRANSFER ALONG TRANSPLANTED SEEDLINGS AND LACK OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTION BY 3 TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM STRAINS. Acta Hortic. 319, 419-424
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1992.319.65
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1992.319.65

Acta Horticulturae