Initial development and biocontrol of black pepper fusariosis (Piper nigrum L.) by Trichoderma spp., Under different substrates and soil moisture levels
Soil water retention, biological control, irrigation levels, automated irrigation.
Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is considered the most cultivated spice in the world. Brazil is among the five largest producers in the world and the states of Pará and Espírito Santo produce more than 90% of the national pepper. However, the national piping has been showing reduced productivity in recent years due to Fusariose, which is caused by the fungus Fusarium solani f.sp. piperis. In Brazil there is no variety of fusariosis-resistant pepper and fungicide-based chemical control is not effective. In this sense, one of the main management practices of the disease is the use of healthy seedlings in planting. The use of soil - free substrate may contribute to avoid the introduction of the pathogen into new planting areas, while the use of Trichoderma spp. can provide antagonism to F. solani f.spi. piperis, in addition to being able to promote the growth of plants. Irrigation management by providing different levels of soil moisture interferes with the initial development of Pinus nigrum (Piper nigrum L.) and biocontrol by Trichoderma spp. of Fusarium caused by Fusarium solani f.sp. piperis on different substrates. The objectives to be achieved are: evaluation of the initial development of Pinto-do-kingdom, submitted to different levels of automated irrigation; and evaluation of Fusariose biocontrol by Trichoderma spp. under different substrates and soil moisture levels. The aim of this study was to obtain information on the behavior of pepper in the early stages of development when submitted to different levels of irrigation, as well as the quantification, through phytotechnical and physiological parameters, of the biocontrol efficiency of Fusarium solani f.sp . piperis by Trichoderma spp., under different substrates and soil moisture levels.