History

Cucurbits, including zucchini and cucumbers, are susceptible to attack by many pathogens, which can have a drastic impact on agricultural yields throughout the world. Fusarium oxysporum is one of the most economically significant and commonly frequented Fusarium species that causes severe loss in terms of economics and production in agricultural crops, among them cucurbits. Chemical fungicides are effective in controlling this pathogen but can present a toxic risk to human health and the environment. The study's goal is to evaluate the antagonist effect of Trichoderma spp on three pathogenic strains belonging to the same species of Fusarium oxysporum were chosen for the direct confrontation test in vitro.This study of the antagonistic action of Trichoderma spp. on the three strains of Fusarium oxysporum showed an interesting inhibitory effect on the growth of pathogens. The highest percentage reduction in mycelial growth of pathogens is obtained with the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum strain 3 (69.07%), followed by Fusarium oxysporum strain 1 with a percentage reduction (67.39%), and finally Fusarium oxysporum 2 with a reduction percentage (58.14%). This inhibitory effect was statistically confirmed as highly significant. It is more important for the two pathogenic Fusarium strains of cucumber (Fusarium oxysporum 3) and zucchini (Fusarium spp1). In effect, biological control trials using the antagonist Trichoderma spp. have shown that it is possible to limit the incidence and development of Fusarium in cucurbits.