Potential Of Trichoderma Piluliferum As A Biocontrol Agent Of Colletotrichum Musae In Banana Fruits

Bananas are among the most widely consumed fruits in the world and are produced in large quantities in tropical and subtropical areas. These fruits are affected by several postharvest diseases, such as anthracnose caused by C. musae. This disease is generally managed by the application of chemical fungicides, however, biological control has been recommended as an alternative method. The main goal of this research was to evaluate the antagonistic capacity of T. piluliferum against C. musae using in vitro and in vivo tests. T. piluliferum grew on the hyphae of C. musae and occupied the entire surface of the medium. Volatile and nonvolatile metabolites produced by T. piluliferum inhibited the mycelial growth of C. musae by 62% and 20%, respectively. T. piluliferum secreted the cell-wall degrading enzymes chitinase, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, beta-1,3-glucanase as well as proteases after growth on C. musae biomass. These enzymes damaged the cell wall structures of C. musae resulting in swollen and vacuolated hyphae. The metabolites reduced damage caused by C. musae in banana fruits compared with the results obtained with the fungicide Imazalil. The data showed that the time of application of metabolites is an important factor to consider when developing a product to prevent postharvest diseases in banana fruits.