Development of a Novel Emulsion Formulation of Trichoderma asperelloides PSU-P1 Conidia against Stem Canker on Dragon Fruit Caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum

Abstract

Stem canker on dragon fruit caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum causes severe losses in production of this fruit worldwide. Biological control by Trichoderma species is widely used to control several plant diseases. However, environmental conditions affect the use of biocontrol agents in the field. The development of a new formulation may offer an alternative way to address the problem of stem canker on dragon fruit caused by N. dimidiatum. In this study, we sought to develop a Trichoderma asperelloides PSU-P1 formulation that would be effective against N. dimidiatum. Three vegetable oils, two emulsifier-dispersing agents (Tween 20 and Tween 80), and one source of carbon (dextrose) were tested for carrier additives. We assessed the viability and antifungal ability of formulations incubated at ambient temperature and at 10 °C during a storage period of 1–6 months. The formulation composed of coconut oil, DW, and tween 20 in a ratio of 30:60:10 required a mixing time of 1.14 min; this was significantly faster than the mixing times of other formulations. Application of this formulation suppressed canker development; a canker area of 0.53 cm2 was recorded, compared with a control (pathogen only) area of 1.65 cm2. In terms of viability, this formulation stored at ambient temperature showed a surface area percentage of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 ranging from 64.43 to 75.7%; the corresponding range for the formulation stored at cool temperature was 70.59–75.6%. For both formulations, percentage inhibition gradually decreased from 1 to 6 months, with ranges of 59.21–77% and 60.65–76.19% for formulations incubated at ambient and cool temperatures, respectively. Our findings suggest that the formulation developed in this study prolongs the viability of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 conidia by up to 6 months, effectively inhibits N. dimidiatum in vitro, and reduces stem canker in vivo.