IOBC-WPRS Bulletin Vol. 177, 14/06/2025, pp. 249-254.
Researcher
Description
The Magnaporthiopsis maydis late wilt disease (LWD) of corn is a major threat in
highly affected Mediterranean areas and an emerging concern in other countries. Likewise,
Macrophomina phaseolina charcoal rot (CRD) is a destructive global disease of cotton plants. Both pathogens are considered the most severe diseases in maize and cotton rotated in Israeli fields, with limited control strategies. This research aims to develop biological control based on selected Trichoderma species combined with low-dosage Azoxystrobin that provides the biopesticides strength and stability. First, selected Trichoderma species were proved minorly affected by Azoxystrobin (0.005 mg/l). Then, T. asperellum and T. asperelloides provided high LWD protection to sprouts in the growth room and to open-enclosure potted plants throughout a full season. At harvest, these species’ bio-shielding excels in plant growth enhancement, yield increase, and late wilt shield (up to 29 % health recovery and 94 % pathogen suppression). Azoxystrobin alone or in addition had minor influences. In CRD-stressed growth room cotton sprouts, the T. longibrachiatum treatment enhanced plant survival and development and reduced pathogen root infection to near-zero levels. In a full-season potted experiment, the ecofriendly treatments with T. asperellum and T. longibrachiatum alone enhanced cotton plants’ growth and health. At harvest, the combined treatments of T. longibrachiatum + Azoxystrobin reached a high efficacy level of 86-91 249-254% pathogen repression. In the commercial field, Trichoderma species blend seed treatment was equal to the Azoxystrobin treatment in yield improvement (up to 17 %) and M. phaseolina infection reduction (up to 37 %). Bio-chemo integrated management has significant benefits compared to chemical interventions. These results establish the potential of the integrated biological-chemical interface to control severe LWD and CRD cases, reduce chemical use, and the development of fungicide resistance.
highly affected Mediterranean areas and an emerging concern in other countries. Likewise,
Macrophomina phaseolina charcoal rot (CRD) is a destructive global disease of cotton plants. Both pathogens are considered the most severe diseases in maize and cotton rotated in Israeli fields, with limited control strategies. This research aims to develop biological control based on selected Trichoderma species combined with low-dosage Azoxystrobin that provides the biopesticides strength and stability. First, selected Trichoderma species were proved minorly affected by Azoxystrobin (0.005 mg/l). Then, T. asperellum and T. asperelloides provided high LWD protection to sprouts in the growth room and to open-enclosure potted plants throughout a full season. At harvest, these species’ bio-shielding excels in plant growth enhancement, yield increase, and late wilt shield (up to 29 % health recovery and 94 % pathogen suppression). Azoxystrobin alone or in addition had minor influences. In CRD-stressed growth room cotton sprouts, the T. longibrachiatum treatment enhanced plant survival and development and reduced pathogen root infection to near-zero levels. In a full-season potted experiment, the ecofriendly treatments with T. asperellum and T. longibrachiatum alone enhanced cotton plants’ growth and health. At harvest, the combined treatments of T. longibrachiatum + Azoxystrobin reached a high efficacy level of 86-91 249-254% pathogen repression. In the commercial field, Trichoderma species blend seed treatment was equal to the Azoxystrobin treatment in yield improvement (up to 17 %) and M. phaseolina infection reduction (up to 37 %). Bio-chemo integrated management has significant benefits compared to chemical interventions. These results establish the potential of the integrated biological-chemical interface to control severe LWD and CRD cases, reduce chemical use, and the development of fungicide resistance.