Trichoderma harzianum – interaction with plants and effect on growth response

• Published in: Plant and soil Vol. 144; no. 2; pp. 267 - 272
• Main Authors: KLEIFELD, O., CHET, I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Kluwer Academic Publishers 01-08-1992; Springer
• Subjects: Agricultural site preparation; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; Peat soils; Plant growth; Plant roots; Plants; Sandy loam soils; Seeds; Soil fungi; Soil treatment; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Trichoderma; Trichoderma harzianum; Growth; Biological agent; Stimulation; Raphanus sativus; Microbiological method; Fungi; Biofertilizer; Trichoderma harzianum; Inoculation; Cruciferae; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Lycopersicon esculentum; Capsicum annuum; Fungi Imperfecti; Solanaceae; Sandy loam soil; Thallophyta; Cereal bran; Fertilization; Cucurbitaceae; Suspension; Cucumis sativus; Plant emergence; Peat; Substrate; Grain legume; Biofertilization; Leguminosae; Vegetable crop; Phaseolus vulgaris; Seed coating; Spermatophyta; Microorganism; Conidia; Inoculum
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00012884

The fungus Trichoderma harzianum which was applied to pathogen-free soil, induced an increase in emergence of seedlings, plant height, leaf area and dry weight. The fungus was applied to the soil by three different methods: conidial suspension, wheat-bran/peat preparation and seed coating. The most prominent effect was observed in the wheat-bran/peat preparation. Responses occurred in different plant growth substrates such as sandy loam soil, autoclaved soil, vermiculite, peat and a mixture of vermiculite and peat (1:1, v/v). T. harzianum was also found in roots of plants growing in soil treated with the fungus.