Hydrolates of some aromatic plants for the growth of Trichoderma harzianum Hydrolates of some aromatic plants for the growth of Trichoderma harzianum

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the compatibility of hydrolate from aromatic plants in the growth of Trichoderma harzianum.

Design/methodology/approach: in vitro hydrolates of Foeniculum vulgare, Plectranthus coleoides and several Tagetes species (T. arenicola, T. coronopifolia, T. erecta, and T. lucida) were evaluated on Trichoderma harzianum mycelium, and its growth rate, growth percentage, and inhibition percentage were recorded. T. harzianum was inoculated into 50 g of sterilized corn cob enriched with F. vulgare hydrolate (3, 5, and 7 %), this mixture was incubated at 28 ± 2°C, and spore counts, and viability tests were performed on PDA medium. The Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05) was used to compare means.

Results: all hydrolates at 100 % inhibited in vitro mycelial growth of T. harzianum, but at 5 % some of them promoted fungal growth more than the control. The concentration of F. vulgare hydrolate influenced spore production and viability of T. harzianum in corn cob.

Limitations on study/implications: information is provided on the use of hydrosols, which are considered waste products.

Findings/conclusions: at low concentration, the F. vulgare hydrolate can be used to enrich corn cob and promote the growth of T. harzianum.