Identification of new Trichoderma strains with antagonistic activity against Botrytis cinerea

The antagonistic activity of 52 isolates of Trichoderma spp. against Botrytis cinerea was tested in in vitro conditions using the dual culture technique. The results revealed that all of the Trichoderma isolates had the ability to inhibit the mycelial growth of grey mould. The percentage reduction in the growth of Botrytis cinerea after six days of incubation at 25ºC varied between 45-78%. The isolates Tr43 and Tr52 showed the highest antagonistic activity (Tr43 - 76%; Tr52 - 78%). Biochemical and molecular identification indicated that both isolates were T. atroviride. The isolates showed differences in the utilisation of 11 to 96 different carbon sources. Additional biochemical tests revealed the ability of Tr43 and Tr52 to produce siderophores, indole-3-acetic acid and chitinases. Neither of the isolates gave positive results regarding phosphate solubilisation on Pikovskaya’s medium.