Determination of Trichoderma species in strawberry production area in Aydin province and their effectiveness against Macrophomina phaseolina

This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Trichoderma spp.(Tr) isolated from strawberry fields in Aydın, on Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid(Mp) that causes of collapsed and dying strawberry plants. Screening for antagonistic effect in vitro was accomplished by carrying out dual culture plate (ability to overgrow and inhibit the growth of the pathogens and effect on viability of microsclerotia) and hyperparasitic features. The effects of Trichoderma spp. on on plant growth and disease severity of strawberry plant that caused by M. phaseolina were validated by inoculating with Tr and Mp inoculated at the same time and by drenching (1,6x103 microsclerotia/ml) Mp inoculation 15 day after Tr inoculation and planted seedling in the pot. In the Same time applications: M.phaseolina was inoculated at 1,6x103 microsclerotia/ml and Trichoderma spp. 2% (14g) were incorporated in pot contain 700 g soil, (after then strawberry seedling were planted second inoculation were 4 month after). All seedling weight was recorded before planting and at the end of the experiment in order to determine the effects of treatments and rate of plant weights gain was recorded. Dual plate culture experiments demonstrated the antagonistic effects of Trichoderma spp. isolates inhibiting radial growth of M. phaseolina by 4,61-66,40%. All Trichoderma spp. has hyperparasitic features. Lowest microsclerotia in vitro dual culture were counted Tr15(Thz) isolate (44,6 ms per.). In pot trials, in Rubygem cultivar the Tr29(Thz) isolate (54,36%) and Tr10(Thz) (53,62%), in Festival cultivar Tr22 (Thz) (369,50%) gave the best results according the plant growth rate. In pot trials with Tr+Mp and Tr+Mp(15) average best fresh plant growth rate were obtained respectively, in Rubygem cultivar Tr15 (Thz) (49,58%) and in Festival cultivar Tr24 (324,65%) isolate being the highest Tr+Mp(15) in Rubygem Tr23(Thz) isolate (48,80%), in Festival Tr20 (Thz) isolate (411,47%). The maximum plant dying rate were in Rubygem cultivar 100% Tr20 (Thz)+Mp15 and in Festival cultivar 100% Tr20 (Thz)+Mp applied pots.