Evaluation of the antifungal activity of some essential oils and Trichoderma spp against Rhizoctonia Solani, a bell pepper pathogen

الملخص EN

This work aims to estimate the efficacy of four essential oils and three Trichoderma isolates for controlling Rhizoctonia solani in the laboratory (in vitro) and greenhouse (in vivo) conditions.

In-vitro tests indicated that all of the essential oils tested exhibited fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani with different degrees of efficacy.

Camphor and mustard oils were the best effective against R.

solani.

Obtained data revealed that the concentration used of Compher oil reduced the pathogenic fungal growth to 87.04, 90.47, and 97.27 % at concentrations 3, 6, and9% , respectively.

The antagonistic activity of three Trichoderma isolates demonstrated higher efficiency in controlling.

The most effective isolates were T.

asperellum (72.34 % ), followed by T.

harizianum (63.02 % ) compared to control.

Moreover, in vivo experiment showed that all tested agents were effective in reducing Rhizoctonia root rot incidence (post-emergence and Disease severity) and increasing some vegetative growth measurements of pepper plants (fresh weight of roots and plant height) in compensation to the infected (positive) control.