VIEW ARTICLE

Efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum as a Biocontrol for Sclerotium rolfsii. Homer D. Wells, Research Plant Pathologist, Plant Science Research Division, ARS, USDA, Tifton 31794; Durham K. Bell(2), and Casimir A. Jaworski(3). (2)Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton 31794; and (3)Research Soil Scientist, Plant Science Research Division, ARS, USDA, Tifton 31794. Phytopathology 62:442-447. Accepted for publication 5 November 1971. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-62-442.

Trichoderma harzianum isolated from diseased sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii was pathogenic to S. rolfsii, Sclerotinia trifoliorum, and Botrytis cinerea in agar culture, but was innocuous to Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium aphanidermatum, and P. myriotylum. Under greenhouse conditions, T. harzianum effectively controlled S. rolfsii on blue lupines, tomatoes, and peanuts. Under natural field conditions, one to three applications of T. harzianum inoculum applied over the plants onto the soil surface was highly effective in reducing S. rolfsii damage to tomato transplants.