Efficacy of three biological control agents on black mold caused by Aspergillus niger fungus and growth and yield components of grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) under field conditions

Abstract

     The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of three biological agents (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, and Trichoderma harzianum) to control black mold disease caused by Aspergillus niger on grapevines, and measuring their effects on growth and production parameters of this crop under field conditions. A foliar spray application was used to inoculate the plants with the A. niger spore suspension. The three bio-control agents were incorporated into the infected grapevine plants soil. Results showed that infection severity has reached in all treatments of biological agents to 0.00% compared to 11.14% in the negative control and 46.13% in positive control (infected untreated plants). Treatment of T. harzianum gave the highest values of growth and yield parameters which were significantly different from all other treatments. The interaction between P. fluorescens, T. harzianum and B. subtilis was the most effective treatment among other interactions, in reducing infection severity and increasing all the growth and yield parameters.