Biocontrol of Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum on Capsicum by Trichoderma koningii in potting medium

Two isolates of Trichoderma koningii were evaluated for efficacy in control of damping-off diseases in seedlings of Capsicum annuum grown in pasteuriz ed potting medium in a glasshouse. A selected isolate of binucleate Rhizoct onia and two fungicides were also included as standards for control of Rhiz octonia solani and Pythium ultimum var, sporangiiferum. Both isolates of T. koningii reduced seedling death caused by R. solani in one of two experime nts, and by P. u. sporangiiferum in two of three experiments. Neither isola te of T. koningii suppressed damping-off caused by either pathogen as consi stently as the binucleate Rhizoctonia or fungicides. The implications of th ese results for commercial disease management are discussed.