The Effect of Endophytic Trichoderma Strains for the Germination Quantity and Quality on Monocots: Maize (Zea mays) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and the Inhibition of Fungi Infection on Maize

Abstract

This study explores the potential of two Trichoderma strains namely, Trichoderma afroharzianum TR04 (TR04) and Trichoderma simmonsii TR05 (TR05) as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents. The focus of this study is the effect of the strains on seed germination of maize and sorghum, as well as their antagonistic activity against Fusarium graminearum. Seed priming was performed and germination was done in a controlled in vitro condition. The findings showed that neither TR04 nor TR05 significantly improved germination quality. However, as demonstrated by re-isolation tests and the visual health of seedlings, TR05 demonstrated strong biocontrol efficacy, especially against F. graminearum and other fungi such as Aspergillus spp. It can be concluded that that under the conditions of this study, the Trichoderma strains particularly TR05 demonstrated notable biocontrol potential, especially in suppressing fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. but their application did not result in improved germination quality in maize or sorghum.