On the biocontrol by Trichoderma afroharzianum against Fusarium culmorum responsible of fusarium head blight and crown rot of wheat in Algeria

Abstract Background Durum wheat ( Triticum durum Desf.) is one of the most important cereals in world. Unfortunately, plant a target several species genus Fusarium. This causes two serious diseases: fusarium crown rot (FCR) and head blight (FHB). The search for new indigenous strains Trichoderma with high potential biocontrol against these diseases was purpose this study. Results Biocontrol 15 isolates (T1 to T15), isolated from different rhizosphere soils Algerian ecosystems, evaluated 4 Fusarium culmorum (FC11, FC2, FC4, FC20); main causative agent FCR FHB. efficacy biological control by spp., vitro tests (direct indirect confrontation), confirmed vivo bioassays. results showed significant inhibition mycelial growth F. than control. highest percentages were obtained T9, T12, T14 causing maximum percentage 81.81, 77.27, 80.68%, respectively. selected testing. A tube pot experiments that decreased disease severity 50 63.63% reduction, FHB infection significantly reduced all cultivars tested, where %AUDPC (area under progress curve) reduction 49.77, 43.43, 48.25, 74.60% Simeto, Waha, Bousselem, Setifis genotypes, Yields also increased almost cultivars. antagonistic characterized based on molecular tools, using translation elongation factor1-alpha (TEF1-α) internal transcribed spacers rDNA (ITS1). identified as T. afroharzianum accession numbers attributed NCBI GenBank MW171248 MW159753. Conclusions , first time Algeria agent, promising approach