Trichoderma spp. reveals potential as growth bio-promoter in forest seedlings. In: Agrotrópica v. 33 n. 1 p. 17-28, 2021.

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of fungus Trichoderma spp. as a growth bio-promoter in seedlings of Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla and Cordia trichotoma (Vell.) Arrab. ex Steud. For this purpose, 10 levels of Trichoderma spp. dosages were tested (0g, 100g, 200g, 300g, 400g, 500g, 600g, 700, 800g, 1000g). Measurements of increment of base diameter (Idbase, cm), increment of seedling height (Iheit, cm) crown diameter were taken during four months. The experiment was deployed in a randomized complete block design, in a factorial arrangement composed by two species, 10 dosages of Trichoderma spp. and three replications. Differences among Trichoderma spp. dosages were found for Idbase and Iheit, according to F test at 5% of significance level, verified by analysis of variance. For Idbase, the differences among fungus dosages occurred only in the first month of measurement and for Iheit in the first two months. Trichoderma spp. isolate promoted double base diameter and total height of forest seedlings statically different from control (0g). The optimum concentration of Trichoderma spp. was 400g, which corresponds to 8% of the total vessel volume. Thus, Trichoderma spp. can be used as a new plant growth bio-promoter, allowing height growth increments during seedlings preparation.