The Role of Antagonism in the Rhizospheric Region for Chaetomium globosum and Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium spp. Attacking Tomato Plant.

Chaetomium globosum and Trichoderma harzianum were isolated from healthy tomato plants at the rhizospheric area. These isolates were evaluated as potential bio-agents in control of the soil-borne fungi, Fusarium solani the causal agent of root rot, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici and Fusarium semitectum wereisolated from diseased tomato plants in Alexandria and Giza Governorates. The Pathogenicity test on tomato plant was conducted under greenhouse conditions. It indicated that, all tested fungi have a pathogenic effect on tomato plant. After one week the death percentages caused by F. solani, F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici and F. semitectum were 43.8, 31.3, 68.8 and 56.3%, respectively. However, after 45 days, the obtained data percentages for the same fungi were 62.5, 73, 87.5 and 83.8, respectively. The tested bio-agents affected all tested pathogens ,however, C. globosum at zero time of the pathogen inoculation reduced the radial growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, F. semitectum and F. solani by 53, 24.4, 48.9 and 22.2%, respectively, while C. globosum (3 days before the pathogen inoculation) reduced the radial growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, F. semitectum and F. solani by 68.9, 48.9, 72.2 and 38.8%, respectively, on the other hand, T. harzianum reduced the radial growth of the same tested pathogens (F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, F. semitectum and F. solani ) by 66.7, 67.8, 100 and 61.1, respectively. T. harzianum was the most effective bio-agent against Fusarium spp. Comparing with C. globosum. It had recorded the complete growth reduction When it had been tested on Fusarium semitectum with 100% percentage.