The potential of <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. for controlling fusarium wilt disease and promoting the growth of chili plants

Abstract Fusarium oxysporum f.sp capsici ( Foc ) is a soil–borne pathogen that causes wilt disease in chili plants. Trichoderma spp can be used as biological agents for controling of Fusarium wilt disease. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of conidial suspensions of Trichoderma spp. for controlling Fusarium wilt disease and their effects on chili plant growth, with potential use as bio–fungicides against pathogenic fungi. The experimental research employed a Randomized Block Design (RBD) consisting of three treatments ( Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma harzianum , and a control) with six replications. The parameters observed included the development of Fusarium wilt disease (incubation period, disease incidence, disease severity, Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC), and infection rate) and plant growth (plant height, number of leaves, and time to first flower appearance). The results showed that all conidial suspensions of Trichoderma spp. have the potential to controled Fusarium wilt development and to promote chili plant growth. Treatment with conidial suspensions of T. harzianum and T. asperellum shows low disease severity compared to the control, with 11.11% and 13.88%, respectively. Both treatments also promoted plant height by 33.83% and 33.50%, respectively.