Suppression of Stem-End Rot on Avocado Fruit Using <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. in the Central Highlands of Kenya

Wanjiku, E. K.; Waceke, J. W.; Mbaka, J. N.

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8867858

Advances in Agriculture

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Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Conclusions Data Availability Conflicts of Interest Acknowledgments References Copyright Related Articles

Research Article | Open Access

Volume 2021 | Article ID 8867858 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8867858

Suppression of Stem-End Rot on Avocado Fruit Using Trichoderma spp. in the Central Highlands of Kenya

E. K. Wanjiku,^1,2J. W. Waceke,¹and J. N. Mbaka³

Academic Editor: Othmane Merah

Received07 Jun 2020

Revised12 Feb 2021

Accepted24 Feb 2021

Published05 Mar 2021

Abstract

Demand for organic avocado fruits, together with stringent food safety standards in the global market, has made producers to use alternative, safe, and consumer-friendly strategies of controlling the postharvest fungal disease of avocado fruits. This study assessed the in vitro efficacy of Trichoderma spp. (T. atroviride, T. virens, T. asperellum, and T. harzianum) against isolated avocado stem-end rot (SER) fungal pathogens (Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Neofusicoccum parvum, Nectria pseudotrichia, and Fusarium solani) using a dual culture technique. The Trichoderma spp. were also evaluated singly on postharvest “Hass” avocado fruits. Spore suspension at 5 × 10⁴ conidial/ml of the Trichoderma spp. was applied on the avocado fruits at three time points, twenty-four hours before the fungal pathogen (preinoculation), at the same time as the fungal pathogen (concurrent inoculation), and 24 hours after the fungal pathogen (postinoculation). In the in vitro study, T. atroviride showed the highest mycelial growth inhibition against N. parvum (48%), N. pseudotrichia (55%), and F. solani (32.95%), while T. harzianum had the highest mycelial growth inhibition against L. theobromae. Trichoderma asperellum was the least effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of all the pathogens. Similarly, T. virens showed the highest mycelial growth inhibition against N. pseudotrichia at 45% inhibition. On postharvest “Hass” fruits, T. atroviride showed the highest efficacy against N. parvum, N. pseudotrichia, and F. solani in all the applications. Trichoderma virens and T. harzianum were most effective against all the pathogens during postinoculation, while Lasiodiplodia theobromae was best controlled by T. virens, T. harzianum, and T. asperellum during postinoculation. Both T. atroviride and T. harzianum present a potential alternative to synthetic fungicides against postharvest diseases of avocado fruits, and further tests under field conditions to be done to validate their efficacy. The possibility of using Trichoderma spp. in the management of SER on avocado fruits at a commercial level should also be explored.

1. Introduction

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is one of the economically most important subtropical fruit crops worldwide and a major foreign exchange earner in Kenya [1, 2]. In the year 2017, 300 MT of avocado fruits were exported from Kenya, contributing USD 50.5 million to the GDP [3]. Globally, avocado fruits are cultivated in a wide range of agroecological zones for both domestic and commercial purposes [4]. The fruit is valued worldwide for its high nutrition value due to the presence of monounsaturated fatty acids, several minerals (potassium, iron, and phosphorus), and vitamins (E, B, and C), as well as lipids and phytochemicals. Moreover, the consumption of avocado fruit is associated with improved overall diet quality [2, 5].

Stem-end rot (SER) disease causes losses of avocado fruits in all avocado-growing regions of the world. The disease affects the fruits during marketing, storage, or even transit to the market [6]. Members of the Botryosphaeriaceae family (Diplodia mutila, D. pseudoseriata, D. seriata; Dothiorella iberica; Lasiodiplodia theobromae; and Neofusicoccum australe, N. nonquaesitum, and N. parvum) have mainly been associated with SER on avocado fruits. Other pathogens reported to cause the disease include Colletotrichum gloeosporioides or C. fructicola and Diaporthe foeniculacea Phomopsis perseae, Thyronectria pseudotrichia, Dothiorella aromatica, Pestalotiopsis versicolor, Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusarium sambucinum, and Fusarium solani [6–9]. In a previous study [10], L. theobromae, N. parvum, N. pseudothrichia, and F. solani pathogens were identified as the leading cause of SER of avocado fruits in Kenya.

Over the years, synthetic chemicals have successfully been used to control plant diseases, and they have a promising future. However, chemical residues on produce, nonbiodegradable toxins on fruits and soil, and the high cost of the chemicals have continued to be of significant concern [11]. Additionally, consumers are increasingly demanding reduced use of chemicals on produce. More so, food safety standards and organic food consumer organizations demand minimum detectable residues in produce [12]. Utilizing microbial fungicides, microbial antagonists, and biocontrol agents (yeast, bacteria, and antagonistic fungi) offers a potential alternative to synthetic fungicides in the management of postharvest diseases of fruits [13]. A biological control approach involves using microorganisms to reduce or maintain the postharvest fungal pathogens below economic loss [14].

Currently, several postharvest diseases of fruits can be controlled by either natural microbial antagonists or artificially introduced microbial antagonists [15]. Microbial antagonists present several advantages over synthetic fungicides. They are environmentally friendly, safer in application, have nontoxic residues, and are economical to produce [16]. Trichoderma spp. have been widely used during postharvest storage to protect fruits and vegetables of commercial importance such as chilli, mangoes, apples, bananas, strawberries, and tomatoes [17, 18]. Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum, and T. koningii have demonstrated antagonistic activity against L. theobromae and Colletotrichum musae that cause postharvest crown rot disease complex of banana stored at room temperature and at cold storage [19]. Trichoderma harzianum has also been reported to control anthracnose in bananas, maintain postharvest fruit quality, and reduce natural fruit infections [20].

Substantial progress has been made towards biological control of postharvest diseases of avocado fruits [16, 21]. However, no attempt has been made towards the biological control of postharvest disease of avocado fruits in Kenya. This study, therefore, investigated the antagonistic activity of the selected Trichoderma spp. against fungal pathogens associated with stem-end rots of avocado fruits in the central highlands of Kenya.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Source of the Isolates

Samples of “Hass” avocado fruits were obtained from orchards and local markets in Murang’a County in the central highlands of Kenya. The fruits were incubated at room temperature (22°C–25°C) at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Kandara, for 7–14 days to allow development of stem-end rot disease. Fruits that displayed stem-end rot symptoms were cleaned with clean tap water, surface-sterilized by dipping in 75% ethanol for 3 minutes, and rinsed in distilled water. Small pieces of rotten tissues from the margins of the rot were aseptically isolated, inoculated on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at room temperature (22–25°C) for 5 days. Pure cultures were obtained by subculturing the hyphal tips of the mycelia. The isolates were identified based on morphological and cultural characteristics and confirmed through molecular identification. Slant universal bottles were used to store the pure cultures in PDA at 4°C. Four commonly isolated pathogens were used in this study.

2.2. Source of the Antagonists

Two commercial species spp. (T. asperellum and T. harzianum) and two locally acquired spp. (T. atroviride and T. virens) of Trichoderma were used in this study. Trichoderma harzianum was obtained from the biological fungicide TRIANUM P (T. harzianum Rifai strain T22, 1 × 10⁹ colony-forming units (cfu)/gram of dry weight) from Koppert Biological Systems. Trichoderma asperellum was obtained from the biological fungicide MAZAO SUSTAIN (TRC900 1.7 × 10⁹ cfu/gram of dry weight) from real IPM. Trichoderma atroviride (KRI) and T. virens (BMLT54P1) were obtained from the Department of Agriculture Science and Technology, Kenyatta University. Spore suspension was prepared by flooding fourteen-day-old pure cultures in PDA with sterile distilled water. A sterile wire loop was used to scrape off the conidia and bring them to suspension. The suspension was then filtered through a double-layer muslin cloth, and the collected filtrate was diluted serially to 1 × 10⁵. A haemocytometer was used to adjust the spore concentration.

2.3. Antagonistic Activity of Trichoderma spp. against Avocado Fruit Stem-End Rot Pathogens In Vitro

2.3.1. Dual Culture Assay

The inhibitory activity of four Trichoderma spp., T. atroviride, T. virens, T. asperellum, and T. harzianum, against the four SER fungal pathogens, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Neofusicoccum parvum, Nectria pseudotrichia, and Fusarium solani, was determined using the dual culture technique [8]. Sterile PDA was poured into Petri dishes 9 cm in diameter. The mycelial disc (5 mm in diameter) from the edge of actively growing 7-day-old fungal colonies was placed at the edge of one side of the Petri dish. A mycelial disc 5 mm in diameter from an actively growing Trichoderma spp. culture was placed at the opposite edge of the Petri dish. The Petri dishes inoculated at one edge with a mycelial disc 5 mm in diameter of fungal pathogens served as control. Each treatment was replicated 6 times, and the Petri dishes were incubated at 25 ± 2°C. The mycelial growth of the test pathogen and of the antagonist was recorded. Percentage inhibition was calculated using the following formula as described by Rajendiran et al. [22]:where C- mycelial growth of the pathogen in control and T- mycelial growth of the pathogen in the dual-culture plate.

2.3.2. Effect of Trichoderma spp. against Stem-End Rot Fungal Pathogens on Postharvest Avocado Fruits

Mature “Hass” avocado fruits were harvested from a farm in Murang’a County. Fruits with no apparent signs or symptoms of a disease and no physical damage were selected. The fruits were washed with running tap water and surface-sterilized by dipping them in 75% ethanol for 3 minutes. The fruits were then rinsed with distilled water and placed on sterilized trays to air-dry at room temperature.

The ability of Trichoderma species to suppress the development of SER on “Hass” avocado fruit was tested by adding each of the antagonists at three time points: (i) 24 hours before the fungal pathogen (preinoculation), (ii) at the same time as the fungal pathogen (concurrent inoculation), and (iii) 24 hours after the fungal pathogen (postinoculation) [8].

“Hass” avocado fruits were individually sprayed at the stem end with 50 µL spore suspension (5 × 10⁵ conidial/ml) of the SER fungal pathogens (L. theobromae, N. parvum, N. pseudotrichia, and F. solani). A similar quantity of the antagonist was also used, and each of the treatments was replicated four times. The pathogens and the antagonist were applied on the fruits according to the schedule mentioned above. Fruits inoculated with each pathogen only and replicated four times served as the control. The experiment was conducted twice.

The inoculated avocado fruits were placed in sealed plastic containers (separate container for each fruit) at 25 ± 2°C and incubated. Evaluation was conducted after 12 days by cutting the fruits lengthwise. A category scale of 0 to 5 was used to rate the severity of SER development on the avocado fruits; Table 1.

The percent disease index was calculated using the following formula as described by Lakshmi et al. [23]:

2.4. Data Analysis

The data obtained were recorded and tabulated in a spreadsheet. After that, the data were exported to Min Tab 17.0 software (Minitab, LLC). Descriptive statistics were generated upon which the data were expressed as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the statistical significance of difference among treatment groups. Tukey’s post hoc test was used for pairwise separation and comparison of means. The hypothesis for significance was tested at .

3. Results

3.1. Growth Inhibition of SER Pathogens by Trichoderma spp. in Dual Culture

All the Trichoderma species reduced the mycelial growth of the four (L. theobromae, N. parvum, N. pseudotrichia, and F. solani) avocado SER pathogens. The highest mycelial growth inhibition of L. theobromae was produced by T. harzianum (54.57%) followed by T. atroviride (36.28%). Trichoderma asperellum and T. virens were found to give the least growth inhibition (29.88% and 29.27%, respectively) against L. theobromae (Table 2). Trichoderma atroviride had the highest mycelial growth inhibition against N. parvum (48%), N. pseudotrichia (55%), and F. solani (32.95%). Trichoderma atroviride significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of N. parvum, N. pseudotrichia, and F. solani compared to the other antagonists. Trichoderma asperellum was found to be the least effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of all the pathogens (L. theobromae (29.88%), N. parvum (14.50%), N. pseudotrichia (25%), and F. solani (14%) (Table 2)). Trichoderma virens inhibited the mycelial growth of all the pathogens; however, the highest inhibition was on N. pseudotrichia at 45% inhibition.

3.2. Effect of Trichoderma spp. on the Severity of SER on Postharvest “Hass” Avocado Fruits

All Trichoderma spp. inhibited the development of SER on avocado fruits. Fruits treated with T. asperellum in the three inoculations (preinoculation, concurrent inoculation, and postinoculation) remained free from SER caused by F. solani. Similarly, the severity of SER by L. theobromae was significantly different reduced up to 10%, 7.5%, and 5% in the three tests, respectively. During the three inoculation, T. asperellum reduced SER on avocado fruits by N. parvum up to 30%, 55%, and 40%, respectively. There was no development of SER by N. pseudotrichia during concurrent inoculation with T. asperellum; however, during preinoculation and postinoculation, SER severity reduced to 20% and 7.5, respectively (Table 3).

All fruits remained free from SER due to N. parvum, N. pseudotrichia, and F. solani during concurrent and postinoculation with T. atroviride. Trichoderma atroviride did not inhibit development of SER on the fruits by L. theobromae during concurrent and postinoculation; however, during preinoculation, the fruits remained free from SER development due to N. pseudotrichia. Similarly, the severity of SER due to L. theobromae, N. parvum, and F. solani was reduced to 5%, 7.5%, and 7.5%, respectively, during preinoculation with T. atroviride (Table 3).

During postinoculation with T. harzianum, no SER developed on the avocado fruits. Besides, during concurrent inoculation of T. harzianum with N. parvum, N. pseudotrichia, and F. solani, the fruits remained free from SER. Trichoderma harzianum did not inhibit development of SER on the avocado fruits due to L. theobromae during concurrent inoculation and N. pseudotrichia during preinoculation (Table 3).

All fruits remained free from SER when Trichoderma virens was inoculated 24 hours after the fungal pathogen. Similarly, during preinoculation, the avocado fruits remained free from SER due to N. pseudotrichia and F. solani, while in concurrent inoculation, no SER developed on the fruits due to N. parvum and F. solani. The severity of SER due to L. theobromae was reduced up to 42.5% in both preinoculation and concurrent inoculation with T. virens (Table 3).

Trichoderma atroviride was most effective in controlling the development of SER by N. parvum, N. pseudotrichia, and F. solani in all treatments, while Trichoderma virens and T. harzianum were most effective during postinoculation (Table 3).

4. Discussion

The ability of T. harzianum to significantly inhibit the mycelial growth of L. theobromae reported in this study agreed with the study by Wijeratnam et al. [24] where T. harzianum was reported to effectively control L. theobromae that caused SER of papaya and mangoes in Sri Lanka. Similarly, Bhadra et al. [25] reported the greatest inhibition of T. harzianum against L. theobromae in concurrent inoculation. Moreover, T. harzianum has been reported to significantly reduce stem-end rot of Rambutan caused by L. theobromae [26].

In this study, T. atroviride was the most effective against F. solani as compared to T. asperellum, T. harzianum, and T. virens, corroborating results by Kumar et al. [27] who reported higher efficacy of T. atroviride against F. solani compared to T. harzianum. Rajendiran et al. [22] also reported strong antagonistic activity of T. atroviride against Fusarium species that caused postharvest rots of fruits. Trichoderma atroviride inhibited the mycelial growth of L. theobromae up 36.28%, although the inhibition was lower than that of T. harzianum (54.57%), and T. atroviride has been reported to effectively control L. theobromae that cause stem-end rot of mangoes [28]. Trichoderma virens inhibited the mycelia growth of L. theobromae corroborating report by Buensanteai and Athinuwat [29] where T. virens strain TvSUT10 inhibited the mycelia growth of L. theobromae causing SER of cassava by 53%.

Trichoderma asperellum inhibited the mycelial growth of L. theobromae up to 29.88%. Trichoderma asperellum strain NG-TI61 was previously reported not to have any antagonistic activity against L. theobromae in vitro. However, the conidia and culture filtrates of T. asperellum controlled the rot caused by L. theobromae on the banana fruits [30] corroborating results in this study.

Trichoderma atroviride stood out in the control of N. parvum, N. pseudotrichia, and F. solani, while T. harzianum performed better in the control of L. theobromae during the in vitro test and postharvest treatment of the avocado fruits. Similarly, studies conducted by Borges et al. [31] on biocontrol of teak canker caused by L. theobromae showed a positive correlation between the in vivo and in vitro studies. Trichoderma atroviride showed higher efficacy than T. harzianum against L. theobromae, N. parvum, and N. pseudotrichia during preinoculation. In the evaluation of biocontrol agents for grapevine pruning wound protection, Kotze et al. [32] reported that T. atroviride was more effective than T. harzianum against L. theobromae and N. parvum when it was applied before the pathogens corroborating results from this study. Similarly, Valenzuela et al. [8] reported high efficacy of T. atroviride against C. gleosporiodes when it was inoculated 24 hours before the pathogen. The results could suggest that the bioactivity nature of the T. atroviride against fungal pathogens is protective.

Trichoderma asperellum showed high efficacy against L. theobromae on postharvest avocado fruits. Contrary to what was expected in the in vitro test, T. asperellum displayed an inhibition percentage of 29%. However, this is comparable to report by Borges et al. [28] in the in vivo test of T. asperellum against L. theobromae causing teak canker, where T. asperellum showed complete control of L. theobromae.

When the fungal pathogens were applied on postharvest avocado fruits 24 hours before the antagonists, T. asperellum, T. harzianum, and T. virens showed high efficacy against SER caused by the four fungal pathogens. Likewise, T. atroviride showed complete efficacy against N. parvum, N. parvum, N. pseudotrichia, and F. solani showing the ability of Trichoderma spp. to control the fungal pathogens even when they have established on the fruits.

5. Conclusions

Results from this study have demonstrated that Trichoderma spp. could be viable biological tools that can be used in the management of SER diseases of avocado fruits and they have the potential to replace the synthetic fungicides. The use of biological fungicides will go a long way in facilitating the avocado producers to produce high-quality avocado fruits free from toxic residues. However, there is a need to carry out field trials to validate the efficacy of the Trichoderma spp. and the possibility of using the species on a commercial scale.

Data Availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are included in the article.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the management of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Kandara, where this work was carried out. This research was funded by the author’s personal finance.

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Copyright © 2021 E. K. Wanjiku et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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