Evaluation of aromatic plants hydrosols on the growth of Trichoderma harzianum.

Objective: To evaluate the compatibility of hydrosols from aromatic plants on the growth of T. harzianum. Design/Methodology/Approach: All hydrosols of Foeniculum vulgare, Plectranthus coleoides, Tagetes arenicola, T. coronopifolia, T. erecta, and T. lucida were evaluated in vitro on the mycelium Trichoderma harzianum. Their growth rates and inhibition percentages were recorded. T. harzianum was inoculated in 50 g of sterilized corn cob enriched with F. vulgare hydrosol (3, 5 and 7%), this mixture was incubated at 28 ± 2 °C; spore counting, and viability tests were performed on PDA medium. The Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05) was used for mean comparisons. Results: All hydrosols inhibited in vitro the mycelial growth of T. harzianum at 100%, but at 5% concentration, some hydrosols promoted the growth of the fungus more than the control. The concentration of F. vulgare hydrosol influenced the production and viability of T. harzianum spores in the cob substrate. Study Limitations/Implications: This study provides information on the use of hydrosol, which are typically considered waste products. Findings/Conclusions: At low concentration, F. vulgare hydrosol can be used to enrich corn cob and promote the growth of T. harzianum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]