Beneficial Soil Fungi and Jabuticaba Growth Promotion

Abstract

Trichoderma is a genus of fungi widely used in agriculture as a biocontrol agent and more recently as a plant growth promoter. We evaluated five Trichoderma isolates, in different application modes, throughout the development of jabuticaba seedlings. These included three isolates of the species Trichoderma asperellum (Tam01, Tam02, and Tam03) and two isolates of Trichoderma sp. (Tc and Tce) in four modes of application: via seeds; in applications on the pre-planting substrate; in monthly applications in the post-planting substrate; and their combination. The control treatment consisted of plants without the use of Trichoderma. Seedling height, collar diameter, and the number of leaves were evaluated monthly. Statistical analysis was conducted using data collected two, four, seven, and thirteen months after emergence. The application of Trichoderma promoted the growth of jabuticaba seedlings up to four months after emergence. The isolate Tam03 and the application via seeds were the treatments that most influenced the analyzed variables at four months. The use of Trichoderma stimulated the beginning of the development of jabuticaba seedlings.