Efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum as A Bio-control Agent Compared with Traditional Chemical Fungicide for Controlling the Soil Borne Pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersici) Infesting Tomato Plants

Abstract

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to investigate the efficacy of a biological control agent (Trichoderma harzianum) against the soil-borne plant pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) as compared with a traditional fungicide (Vitavax ® -200). Results indicated that T. harzianum was more effective than Vitavax ® -200 for radial growth inhibition. Through seedling dip and soil application, Vitavax ® -200 was more effective than T. harzianum where it recorded the least wilt incidence comparing to untreated control, but it gave a shorter height of tomato plant than T. Harzianum with significant differences between them. Also, application of T. harzianum as antagonistic agent significantly increased the plant height and increased fruit yield/plant without significant differences with Vitavax ® when compared with untreated control.