In vitro influence of homeopathic preparations on the growth and viability of Trichoderma asperellum

This work aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of homeopathic preparations (PO) on the growth, sporulation and viability of Trichoderma asperellum. In the bioassays, the PO of Digitalis purpurea, Nux vomica and Pulsatilla nigricans, all at 30CH power, were homogenized at 0.5% in the potato-dextrose-agar culture medium, immediately before solidification. Afterwards, colony discs measuring 0.7 cm in diameter of the fungus T. asperellum were transferred to the center of the plates and incubated in a climate-controlled chamber. After 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation, the radial diameter of the colony was evaluated. At 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of incubation, the production of total and viable conidia and colony forming units (CFU) were evaluated. The experimental design was in a factorial scheme (4x4), consisting of treatments and evaluation times. The data were subjected to analysis of variance at 5%. At 15 and 45 days, T. asperellum grown in medium containing Nux vomica and Digitalis purpurea 30CH, respectively, showed viability greater than 96%. After 60 days of storage, T. asperellum grown in medium with Pulsatilla nigricans 30CH showed viability of 80.05%. At 30 days, T. asperellum cultivated with PO showed higher concentrations of CFU.