Trichoderma species have potential in suppressing Fusarium oxysporum f.sp cubense infecting banana in Kenya

Objectives: This study examined the effectiveness of carbendazim, Trichoderma harzianum, T. asperellum, T. viride, and a combination of the carbendazim and the bio-fungicides for the management of Foc both under in vitro and greenhouse conditions. Methodology and Results: The poisoned food technique was used in the in vitro tests. Fungal radial growth was recorded daily for seven days. In the greenhouse, the test products and Foc were applied directly into the soil, disease severity data was recorded at seven day intervals for 98 days using a scale of 1-5. Data on plant biomass was recorded at the end of the experiment (98 days). ANOVA was used to analyze data on fungal radial growth, disease severity, and plant biomass. The Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) test was used to compare the results at P≤0.05. For the in vitro test, all treatments significantly (P<0.05) suppressed the growth of Foc compared to the untreated control. In the greenhouse trials a significant difference (P<0.05) in external/yellowing symptoms was observed but vascular discoloration was not different. Conclusions and application of findings: This study provides insights into the performance of bio fungicides and carbendazim in managing Panama disease. Keywords: Banana, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense, , Panama disease, Trichoderma sp.