Biocontrol of Stemphylium vesicarium and Pleospora allii on Pear by Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma spp.: Preventative and Curative Effects on Inoculum Production

Abstract

Trials under controlled and field conditions were conducted to establish the effect of strategies of application of biological control agents (BCAs) in the reduction of Stemphylium vesicarium and Pleospora allii inoculum production on pear leaf debris. Six BCAs based on different strains of Trichoderma spp. (Tr1, Tr2) and Bacillus subtilis (Bs1, Bs2, Bs3 and Bs4) were evaluated. Two strategies were tested in controlled experiments: application before (preventative strategy) or after (curative strategy) pear leaf debris colonization by S. vesicarium, evaluating the growth inhibition and sporulation of S. vesicarium and the pseudothecia production of P. allii. When the BCAs were applied preventatively, the efficacy of treatments based on B. subtilis was higher than those based on Trichoderma spp. in controlling the pathogen colonization, but that of controlling the inoculum production of S. vesicarium and P. allii was similar. However, when the BCAs were applied curatively, Trichoderma based products were more effective. In field trials, Trichoderma spp. Tr1 and B. subtlilis Bs1 produced a consistent 45–50% decrease in the number of S. vesicarium conidia trapped compared to the non-treated control. We conclude that Bacillus subtilis Bs1 and Trichoderma spp. Tr1 and Tr2 can be expected to reduce fungal inoculum during the pear vegetative period by at least 45–50%. Additionally, Trichoderma spp. Tr1 and Tr2 have the potential to reduce the fungal overwintering inoculum by 80% to 90%.