Plant Biotechnology
EJB Electronic Journal of Biotechnology ISSN: 0717-3458 Vol.4 No. 2, Issue of August 15, 2001
© 2001 by Universidad Católica de Valparaíso -- Chile Received November 30, 2000 / Accepted April 23, 2001
RESEARCH ARTICLE

In vitro biocontrol activity of Trichoderma harzianum on Alternaria alternata in the presence of growth regulators

Angela Roco
Laboratorio de Bioquímica
Hospital San Juan de Dios
Huérfanos 3255, Santiago, Chile
Tel: 56-2-4506853
Fax: 56-2-6816658

Luz María Pérez*
Laboratorio de Bioquímica
Escuela de Química y Farmacia
Facultad Ciencias de la Salud
Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello
Avenida República 252, Santiago, Chile
Tel: 56-2-6618387
Fax: 56-671 1936
E-mail: lperez@abello.unab.cl

*Corresponding author

Financial support: FONDECYT 1970532.

Keywords:
Alternaria, biocontrol agent, biological control, chitinase, endopolygalacturonase, Trichoderma.

Abstract Full Text

The in vitro biocontrol ability of Trichoderma harzianum on the phytopathogen Alternaria alternata improved in the presence of the growth regulators gibberellic acid (GA3), or indolacetic acid (IAA) or benzylaminopurine (BAP) or foliar nutrient at concentrations similar or higher than those used at the field level. These plant hormones decreased the secretion of endopolygalacturonase (endo-PG) of A. alternata by approximately 20%, did not modify endochitinase (endo-CH) secretion of T. harzianum and did not alter germination of conidia or mycelia growth of any of these fungi. The presence of T. harzianum decreased endo-PGase secretion of A. alternata by about 50%. This inhibitory effect was independent of the presence of growth regulators. The level of secreted endo-PG of T. harzianum was not modified by the presence of A. alternata, but the presence of this phytopathogen in cultures of T. harzianum, increased both the growth of the biocontroller and its secretion of endo-CH.

Supported by UNESCO / MIRCEN network
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