Effect of Combined Use of Bacillus subtilis CA32 and Trichoderma harzianum RU01 on Biological Control of Rhizoctonia solani on Solanum melongena and Capsicum annuum

A combination of two compatible biological control agents, Bacillus subtilis CA32 and Trichoderma harzianum RU01, both antagonistic to the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, was used to control damping-off in Solanum melongena and Capsicum annuum. Radial growth of the mycelium of R. solani was inhibited by T. harzianum RU01 in dual Petri plate assay. T. harzianum RU01 was capable to invading the whole surface of the pathogen colony, sporulating on it and suppress the production of sclerotia of R. solani. Microscopic studies showed the hyphae of R. solani surrounded by the T. harzianum RU01 and subsequent disintegration. B. subtilis CA32 produced a zone of inhibition only with the pathogen and no sings of antagonism between the bacteria and T. harzianum RU01 on dual Petri plate assay. Significant plant protection was achieved when either B. subtilis added to the seeds or T. harzianum added to soil. However, when combine application of biocontrol agents, seed bacterization and T. harzianum application to soil, significantly enhanced the plant protection from R. solani. Soil application of B. subtilis and seed application of T. harzianum either singly or in combination did not protect from R. solani infection indicating that the importance of mode of application of biocontrol agents.