Soil treatment with Trichoderma harzianum to promote vigor in Moringa oleifera seeds and seedlings

Abstract

Soil treatment with the use of Trichoderma harzianum isolates has been recommended for the promotion of plant growth and protection against phytopathogens. These effects are still poorly studied for Moringa oleifera seeds and seedlings. Therefore, the objective of this article is to describe the soil treatment with T. harzianum in promoting vigor to M. oleifera seeds and seedlings. Thus, the following treatments were tested: control; inoculation in the soil (24 h before planting); inoculation in the soil (24 h before planting) and at planting; inoculation at planting with the use of T. harzianum IBLF 006. Such treatments were inoculated in beds with soil in which M. oleifera seeds were later planted in a randomized block design with the use of ten replicates (25 seeds each) for treatment . Variables of vigor and emergency were evaluated. The use of T. harzianum IBLF 006 promoted a greater accumulation of dry mass in the seedlings and a higher percentage of initial stand. The use of T. harzianum can be advantageous for the initial growth of seedlings of M. oleífera, however this fact should be better tested due to other designs, in order to optimize and improve this process.