Antagonistic activity and hydrolytic enzyme production by endophytic Trichoderma asperelloides for the biological control of soilborne phytopathogens

Antagonistic activity ...

Resumen

Trichoderma asperelloides, a foliar endophytic fungus, was evaluated for its antagonistic potential against soil-borne phytopathogens and its ability to produce hydrolytic enzymes, aiming for biotechnological applications in sustainable plant disease management. Dual-culture assays demonstrated significant inhibition of mycelial growth in Fusarium oxysporum (66%), Rhizoctonia solani (89%), Macrophomina phaseolina (55%), and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (90%), with interactions primarily characterized as direct mycelial contact inhibition. Notably, T. asperelloides outperformed the tested commercial fungicide, showing 19%, 39%, 33%, and 37% inhibition rates, respectively. Enzymatic assays revealed the production of amylases (6.36 × 10⁻⁴ U/mL), cellulases (4.34 × 10⁻³ U/mL), proteases (5.90 × 10⁻¹ mg/mL), and when cultured with milhocina, chitinases (6.72 × 10⁻³ U/mL). Bench-scale fermentation induced higher chitinase production compared to the standard induction medium, highlighting milhocina as an efficient alternative substrate. The results indicate that T. asperelloides controls phytopathogens primarily through space competition and secondarily via hydrolytic enzyme production. Furthermore, the use of milhocina as a fermentation substrate holds promise for both industrial optimization and sustainable practices.