Journal of Plant Pathology (2005) 87, p. 287 (Ambrosino et al.)

P. Ambrosino, R. Prisco, M. Ruocco, S. Lanzuise, A. Ritieni, S.L. Woo, F. Scala and and M. Lorito (2005)
Biological control of apple and tomato postharvest diseases caused by Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria alternata by using culture filtrates of Trichoderma harzianum T22
Journal of Plant Pathology 87 (4), 287-287
XII Meeting, Italian Society for Plant Pathology, Reggio Calabria, 29/9 - 1/10, 2005 (poster)
Abstract: Fungal diseases cause major losses of fruits and vegetables in post-harvest. Pre and/or post-harvest applications of synthetic fungicides imply serious risks. For this reason alternative or integrative means to these compounds are being intensively investigated. In this study, we report and discuss the results of investigations regarding the inhibitory effects of culture filtrates of T. harzianum T22 towards fungal pathogens. In vitro and in vivo tests were performed on apple and tomato artificially inoculated with a spore suspensions of Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata and Penicillium expansum. The degree of inhibition was dependent on carbon and nitrogen sources used as growing media; the best results were obtained by growing the antagonistic fungus in presence of barley fibers. The diameter of the disease lesions was significantly reduced five days after inoculation and treatment with the culture filtrate of T. harzianum. The development of B. cinerea was reduced up to 52%, while that of A. alternata and P. expansum up to 66% and 23%, respectively. Treatment of apple fruits with T. harzianum 20 min before the inoculation with phytopathogenic fungi provided a better protection than simultaneous or delayed applications. The efficiency of T. harzianum culture filtrate may be partly explained by the presence in it of strong chitinolytic, glucanolytic, cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities. A proteomic analysis is in progress to characterize the molecules involved in the postharvest control of phytopathogenic fungi.
Database assignments for author(s): Sheridan L. Woo, Felice Scala

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Botrytis cinerea	Stored fruits/vegetables
	Penicillium expansum	Stored fruits/vegetables
	Alternaria alternata
Trichoderma harzianum (antagonist)