In this study three Trichoderma species isolated from Moroccan soil (natural and agricultural habitats) were investigated for their biocontrol potential against virulent Verticillium dahliae on eggplant in green house conditions based on dipping root approach. Evaluation of biocontrol efficacy of Trichoderma spp. demonstrated effective potential of Trichoderma on reducing Verticilium disease on eggplant cultivars. Disease assessment was established by measuring disease incidence in root units (DI-RU) and in the above ground of eggplant cultivars (DI-AU). DI-RU% was recorded at 12.5%, 25.0%, 31.3% and 37.5% in T3, TC, T1 and T2 treatment respectively where DI-RU recorded in Tm2 controls; eggplants inoculated with Verticillium only was equal to 100.0%. Whereas, disease incidence outcomes in aerial part was DI-AU = 100.0% in treatments TC and T2, 87.5% in T1 and 96.0% in T3 treatment where Tm2 controls were assessed with 100.0%.

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In this chapter, the authors introduce two research axes: Part A, nano-biosensors as ad-hoc technologies designed to meet plant diagnostic sensitivity and specificity needs at point of care, and Part B, the study of the interaction of drought and infection stresses in crops investigating bio-control potential antagonists in developing integrated approach (IPM) for disease control measures in crops system. The first part will be revising most used nano-biosensors in plant pathogens detection using different platforms in greenhouses, on-field, and during postharvest. A special focus will be on optical and voltametric immuno/DNA sensors application in plant protection. The last part will present case studies of using nanoparticles functionalized with antibody/DNA for detecting pathogenic Pseudomonas sp, mosaic viruses, Botrytis cinereal, and Fusarium mycotoxins (DON). The second part will be interpreting experimental results of a case study on evaluating bio-control efficacy of local Trichoderma spp. using root dips treatment in Fusarium solani-green beans pathosystem as a model.