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Volume 11
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10.3390/jof11060416
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Article

Trichoderma harzianum in Biocontrol of Maize Fungal Diseases and Relevant Mycotoxins: From the Laboratory to the Field

by
Ivana Mitrović
1,*,
Petar Čanak
2,
Sonja Tančić Živanov
3,
Hunor Farkaš
4,
Marko Vasiljević
4,
Svetlana Ćujić
4,
Miroslav Zorić
5 and
Bojan Mitrović
2
1
Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
2
Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje, Slobodana Bajića 1, 11185 Belgrade, Serbia
3
Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Maksima Gorkog 30, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
4
Patent Co., doo, Vlade Ćetkovića 1a, 24211 Mišićevo, Serbia
5
LoginEKO doo, Tiski red 117, 23207 Aradac, Serbia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Fungi 2025, 11(6), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11060416
Submission received: 28 April 2025 / Revised: 23 May 2025 / Accepted: 26 May 2025 / Published: 27 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Fungal Diseases and Crop Protection, 2nd Edition)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background: Maize, one of the world’s most important food and feed crops, is often threatened by fungal infections that not only reduce yields but also contaminate grains with harmful mycotoxins. Methods: This study evaluated the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma harzianum K179 as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides for protecting maize from two major pathogens, Fusarium graminearum and Aspergillus flavus. T. harzianum K179 was cultivated in a lab-scale bioreactor, and its antifungal activity was assessed through in vitro inhibition assays and two-year field trials. During the field trial, maize ear disease severity, yield, and mycotoxin levels in maize samples were monitored to assess the efficacy of the produced Trichoderma biopreparation. Results: In laboratory tests, T. harzianum K179 significantly inhibited both target pathogens. Field trials demonstrated that seed treatments with the Trichoderma bioagent reduced ear rot severity and increased grain yield compared to untreated and chemically treated controls. Notably, maize samples from T. harzianum-treated plots contained lower concentrations of key mycotoxins, including fumonisins and aflatoxins. Conclusions: These findings highlight the usefulness of T. harzianum K179 in integrated pest management strategies, offering a sustainable solution that enhances crop safety and productivity while mitigating the environmental risks associated with chemical fungicides.
Keywords: Trichoderma harzianum; bioprocess; biological control; maize ear disease; mycotoxins; Fusarium graminearum; Aspergillus flavus Trichoderma harzianum; bioprocess; biological control; maize ear disease; mycotoxins; Fusarium graminearum; Aspergillus flavus

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MDPI and ACS Style

Mitrović, I.; Čanak, P.; Tančić Živanov, S.; Farkaš, H.; Vasiljević, M.; Ćujić, S.; Zorić, M.; Mitrović, B. Trichoderma harzianum in Biocontrol of Maize Fungal Diseases and Relevant Mycotoxins: From the Laboratory to the Field. J. Fungi 2025, 11, 416. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11060416

AMA Style

Mitrović I, Čanak P, Tančić Živanov S, Farkaš H, Vasiljević M, Ćujić S, Zorić M, Mitrović B. Trichoderma harzianum in Biocontrol of Maize Fungal Diseases and Relevant Mycotoxins: From the Laboratory to the Field. Journal of Fungi. 2025; 11(6):416. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11060416

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mitrović, Ivana, Petar Čanak, Sonja Tančić Živanov, Hunor Farkaš, Marko Vasiljević, Svetlana Ćujić, Miroslav Zorić, and Bojan Mitrović. 2025. "Trichoderma harzianum in Biocontrol of Maize Fungal Diseases and Relevant Mycotoxins: From the Laboratory to the Field" Journal of Fungi 11, no. 6: 416. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11060416

APA Style

Mitrović, I., Čanak, P., Tančić Živanov, S., Farkaš, H., Vasiljević, M., Ćujić, S., Zorić, M., & Mitrović, B. (2025). Trichoderma harzianum in Biocontrol of Maize Fungal Diseases and Relevant Mycotoxins: From the Laboratory to the Field. Journal of Fungi, 11(6), 416. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11060416

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