Antagonistic and growth-enhancing effect of native Trichoderma spp. on ‘Gros Michel’ banana under Foc R1 infection

• Terrero Yepez, Pedro ^[1] ; Mayorga Morejon, Rafaela ^[1] ; Rodulfo Acuña, Paola ^[1] ; Mendoza Intriago, Arianna ^[2] ; Solis Hidalgo, Karina ^[1] ; Factos Laiño, Nicole ^[1]
  1. [1] Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias

     Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias

     Quito, Ecuador

     
  2. [2] Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo

     Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo

     Quevedo, Ecuador

     
• Localización: Agroindustrial Science, ISSN-e 2226-2989, Vol. 16, Nº. 2, 2026 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Mayo-Agosto), págs. 271-278
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Banana production in Ecuador has been severely impacted by Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). This persistent soilborne pathogen remains viable for decades and reduces the effectiveness of conventional control strategies. Trichoderma spp. has emerged as a promising biological alternative due to its antagonistic capacity and plant-associated effects. This study evaluated the efficacy of native Trichoderma strains as biological control agents against Foc Race 1 (R1) in Musa AAA cv. Gros Michel. Dual culture assays and greenhouse experiments were conducted using a completely randomized design, with data analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). In vitro, T. lixii, T. asperellum, and T. harzianum inhibited up to 58% of Foc radial growth. Under greenhouse conditions, Trichoderma application significantly reduced vascular wilt severity (p < 0.05) and was associated with increased pseudostem diameter and root biomass. T. afroharzianum and T. lixii lowered disease incidence to levels comparable to those of the healthy control. These findings support the potential use of native Trichoderma isolates in sustainable management strategies for Fusarium wilt in banana.