Integrated control of Verticillium dahliae in potato by Trichoderma harzianum and captan

Experiments were carried out for two successive years in potato fields infested with Verticillium dahliae. Potato seed tubers were treated with either the fungicide captan alone, the biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum alone, or with a combination of the two. In the first year, the most pronounced effect was achieved by integrating Trichoderma harzianum and captan. This treatment significantly reduced Verticillium colonization of the stem, thereby increasing total potato yield by 15.7%. Similar results were recorded in the second experiment in cultivars Draga and Desirée. Integrated treatment resulted in a reduction of Verticillium colonization of the stems, increasing marketable and total potato yield of cv. Draga by 84% and 46% respectively, and total yield of cv. Desiree by 80%. Application of Trichoderma harzianum into sowing rows also resulted in disease incidence reduction and yield increase.