Development of a bioproduct the basis of Trichoderma and nutrients for seed treatment

Abstract

The company Vital Brasil has in its portfolio a line of products related to plant nutrition via foliar and soil, marketing these products in several Brazilian states and in other bordering countries. However, the company has been investing in the development of new bioproducts in partnership with the Laboratory of Pathology and Microbial Control of Insects, ESALQ-USP for the control of agricultural pests and as a promoter of plant growth. In 2016, a research project was approved in the FAPESP Program for Support to Innovative Research in Small Enterprises (PIPE Phase I, Process number: 2015 / 2264-9) to develop a bioproduct consisting of the fungus Trichoderma asperelloides and the nutrients calcium carbonate and humic acid for coating seeds of soybean, beans and corn. The bioproduct, called BioTCD, was developed as a wettable powder type formulation with 20% T. asperelloides pure conidia, 5% humic acid, 70% calcium carbonate and 5% solid inert (adhesives). In experiments conducted in demonstrative areas in open field, it was observed that the coating of soybean, beans and corn seeds with BioTCD resulted in an increase in plant growth and in the production of beans and corns cobs compared to untreated seeds. Also, it was demonstrated that the seed coat with BioTCD produced inhibition of the diseases caused by the phytopathogens Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizotocnia solani in soybean, beans and corn. In order to demonstrate the potential of the BioTCD in the agricultural market, it is necessary to continue studies to measure the effect of plant growth promotion in areas with different climatic conditions and with influence of different phytopathogens and also in the physiological studies to understand the effect of BioTCD on the availability and absorption of mineral nutrients by plants. Moreover, it is necessary to increase the shelf-life and improve the conidia production system of T. asperelloides ESALQ-2913 using new liquid fermentation and biphasic methods to reach the necessary amounts of BioTCD for the field experiments and future production commercial. The studies that are still needed will be addressed in PIPE Phase II project and the research will result in a new bioproduct based on T. asperelloides, calcium carbonate and humic acid with multiple advantages for the health of soybean, beans and corn crops with great potential for commercialization. (AU)