Plant growth promotion of trichoderma virens, Tv911 on some vegetables and its antagonistic effect on fusarium wilt of tomato

Soil saprophytic fungi isolated from the waste paper sludge were identified by ITS genes sequencing. Their antagonistic effects on mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) were tested in vitro, and Trichoderma virens, 911 (Tv911) had inhibited 60.35% of the growth compare to control. Moreover, it was selected for investigating plant growth promoting abilities on Japanese mustard spinach, tomato and radish in manufacturer recommended soils, farmer use nursery soil (FNS) and home garden soil (HGS). Plant height of one-month old Japanese mustard spinach and tomato were increased 16.22% and 50.26% in treated FNS and 9.84% and 7.00% in treated HGS in comparison with non-treated control, respectively. Fresh shoot and root weight of radish were also increased 23.83% and 58.86% in treated FNS and 12.77% and 64.45 % in treated HGS. Disease suppression of Tv911 against FOL was also examined, and disease severity of fusarium wilt of tomato was significantly reduced. Additionally, the Tv911 colonization was observed as a stable in soil and increased in root tissue over growing period of one month. Therefore, this strain has the potential for plant growth promotion and diseases suppression against FOL, and it would be useful as a biological agent in crop production.