Biological control of fusarium wilt of tomato by <i>Trichoderma</i> isolates

This study investigated the ability of ten Trichoderma isolates to control the fusarium wilt pathogen of tomato, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, as well as the effect of these isolates on tomato plant growth in the presence and absence of the pathogen. The isolates were obtained from the Lincoln Bio-Protection Research Centre Culture Collection and were inoculated into seed raising mix (0.5% w/w) in two glasshouse studies. Two Trichoderma isolates significantly (P<0.05) reduced tomato fusarium wilt incidence, as shown by 69% fewer plants with vascular discoloration. In the presence of the pathogen, one isolate significantly increased tomato plant growth by 50% or more. In the absence of the pathogen, none of the Trichoderma isolates consistently increased all plant growth parameters. The biocontrol mechanism of these Trichoderma isolates requires further investigation.