INTERAÇÃO DE FLUOPIRAM E Trichoderma harzianum NO CONTROLE DE PATÓGENOS DE SOLO NAS CULTURAS DO TOMATEIRO E MELOEIRO

Abstract

Soilborne pathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani and Meloidogyne spp. are major phytosanitary constraints in vegetable crops, impairing root system development, plant establishment, and crop productivity. In this context, this dissertation aimed to evaluate the potential of integrated soilborne pathogen management through the association of the nematicide fluopyram with the biological control agent Trichoderma harzianum ESALQ-1306 in tomato and melon crops. Field experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block design, with treatments involving single and combined inoculations of R. solani and Meloidogyne javanica in tomato, and of R. solani and Meloidogyne incognita in melon, in the presence or absence of fluopyram and T. harzianum. In tomato, the evaluated variables were root colonization frequency by T. harzianum, R. solani incidence, gall index, egg and second-stage juvenile populations, fresh root mass, and yield. In melon, in addition to root colonization and R. solani incidence, nematological indices, fresh root mass, and yield were assessed. In both crops, T. harzianum showed high root colonization frequency throughout the crop cycle, even in the presence of fluopyram, demonstrating compatibility between the chemical and biological strategies. Treatments containing fluopyram and/or T. harzianum reduced R. solani incidence and nematological indices compared with the infested controls, with more consistent responses observed for Meloidogyne spp. In tomato, the association between fluopyram and T. harzianum was effective in reducing gall index and final egg and juvenile populations, while maintaining yield, especially under coinoculation conditions. In melon, the treatments also promoted suppression of R. solani and Meloidogyne spp., with emphasis on the association between fluopyram and T. harzianum under coinoculation, which resulted in the highest yield. Overall, the results demonstrate that the combined use of fluopyram and T. harzianum ESALQ-1306 is a promising strategy to integrate the management of soilborne pathogens in vegetable crops, contributing to the reduction of fungal and nematode damage and supporting more sustainable and efficient production systems.