Effect of isolates and inoculum levels of Trichoderma spp. on Rhizoctonia damping-off in watermelon.

 I.A. AL-Dulaimi, M.A. AL-Hamdany, M.A. Mouhi and M.M. Salih

Citation: 2001. J. Ibin AL-Hythem of Applied Sciences, 14(4a): 12-23.

Abstract:

          Three levels of inocula of three isolates of Trichoderma spp. (T196, T199, and T212) were applied to suppress the infectivity of Rhizoctonia solani on watermelon at greenhouse and field conditions. In greenhouse test, data of seed germinations and survivals of watermelon after 10 and 40 days respectively showed that Trichoderma spp. was successfully reduced the disease incidence with remarkable consideration on inoculum levels of each isolate. However after 40 days, level 1 and 2 of T 196 and T112 were significantly induced better reduction in disease incidence than level 3 of both isolates, while level 3 of T 199 represent the best treatment. In the field test, T196 and T112 were significantly induced similar level of suppression against R. solani to that obtained by Benlate. However, the inoculum levels used of T199 was not enough to suppress R.solani in the field test.                                                                         

Key words: Watermelon, R.solani, Trichoderma, Biological control