Evaluation of microbial products for the control of zucchini foot and root rot caused by Fusarium solani f. sp cucurbitae race 1

Microbial products containing bacteria (Cedomon [Pseudomonas chlororaphis MA342, PC-MA342], Mycostop [Streptomyces sp. K61, SG-K61], Proradix (R) Agro [Pseudomonas sp. DSMZ13134, PS-DSMZ13134]) and fungi (Clonotry [Trichoderma harzianum and Clonostachys rosea, TH+CR], Remedier [T. asperellum ICC012 and T. gamsii ICC080, TA-ICC012+TG-ICC080], Rootshield WP [T. harzianum T22, TH-T22]) were tested for efficacy against Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae race 1 (FSC7 strain) on zucchini. They were applied to seeds (S), plant growth substrate (PGS) and both (S+PGS) in a growth chamber experiment, and to PGS, transplantation soil mixture (TSM) and both (PGS+TSM) in a greenhouse experiment. FSC7 was inoculated in PGS at sowing time in the growth chamber and in TSM at transplant in the greenhouse. In the growth chamber, the most effective products were Cedomon (S and S+PGS treatments), Rootshield (PGS treatment) and Proradix (S+PGS treatment), reducing the disease by 39.7, 43.1, 25.8 and 36.4%, respectively. In the greenhouse, all tested products applied to PGS reduced the disease severity and more markedly when applied to PGS+TSM. In the PGS and PGS+TSM treatments, Cedomon was the most effective product showing a disease decrease by 42.4 and 59.5%, respectively. The data obtained in vivo were consistent with the ability of the antagonists to colonize zucchini rhizosphere and with their inhibitory effects on the growth of the pathogen in in vitro assays. The bacteria caused the greatest growth inhibition of FSC7 showing abnormal morphology, while Trichoderma spp. parasitized FSC7 hyphae. Bacteria were the most active in reducing pathogen colony growth through antibiotic metabolites. All antagonists produced exo-and endochitinase enzymes. Trichoderma strains showed greater levels of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase and endochitinase, whereas SG-K61 was the most active producer of chitin 1,4-beta-chitobiosidase. These results indicate that the studied bioproducts have potential for an effective management of zucchini Fusarium foot and root rot through rhizosphere competence and several mechanisms exerted by their microbial ingredients.