Control in vitro of Neopestalotiopsis sp. isolated from strawberry by Trichoderma and commercial fungicides

Background/Objective. The fungi Neopestalotiopsis sp. is an emerging pathogen that can cause losses of more than 70 % of production in strawberry crops. Due to this situation, is necessary to evaluate and implement control methods with low ecological impact. The objective of this work was evaluated the inhibitory growth of Neopestalotiopsis sp. using antagonist strains of Trichoderma sp. and fungicides used locally in the Bajio of Guanajuato, México. Materials and Methods. The pathogen was isolated in strawberry symptomatic plants. The morphological and pathogenicity characterization of the isolate was carried out. The Trichoderma strains were obtained from the biological collection of the National Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Institute (INIFAP), Bajio Experimental Field (CEBAJ), and were confront in dual cultures with the pathogen, the percentage of radial growth inhibition (PRGI) was calculated at 120 h. In addition, five commercial fungicides were added to the growth medium and was calculated the growth diameter of the fungus. Results. The PRGI by Trichoderma were observed in a range of 63 to 70 %. The mechanisms of parasitism for Trichoderma were curling, adhesion and lysis to the pathogen hypha. The T1 strain was the greatest potential for controlling the pathogen, followed by T5 and T7. Three fungicides, Tecobenazole (100 mL 100 L-1), Cinnamon and Neem extract (500 mL 100 L-1), and Peracetic Acid (25 mL 100 L-1) had 100 % inhibited of fungal growth. Conclusion. These results contribute to the knowledge on the control of Neopestalotiopsis sp. with the application of Trichoderma and the authorized products in Mexico