Muscodor coffeanum as a strategy for organic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivation for tolerance to Ralstonia solanacearum

Abstract Tomato is one of the most economically important crops in Brazil. However, bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum , is one of the devastating diseases in tomatoes. Endophytic fungi of the genus Muscodor are well known for their bioactivity against phytopathogens, and also have the potential to promote plant growth. The objectives of this study were to verify the inhibition of R. solanacearum phylotype II sequevar 1 (race 3, biovar 2 ) growth by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by seven isolates of M. coffeanum and two isolates of Muscodor sp in vitro and to evaluate the effects of inoculation of fungal isolates on increasing productivity and tomato fruit quality i n vivo. The VOCs of M. coffeanum (CML 4009) showed total inhibition of the pathogen's growth. This isolate also promoted an increase in root dry biomass of tomato plants and has the potential to increase tomato plant tolerance to R. solanacearum , contributing to the observed numerical increases of 24% in total soluble solids and 26.8% in fruit yield compared to the control. This gain in fruit yield, when extrapolated to organic commercial tomato farming, will lead to greater profitability.