Antifungal effects of volatile organic compounds produced by Trichoderma hamatum against Neocosmospora solani.

This article focuses on the antifungal effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by the fungus Trichoderma hamatum against Neocosmospora solani, a soilborne pathogen responsible for Fusarium wilt disease and root rot. The study demonstrated that T. hamatum VOCs inhibited N. solani growth by 63.77% in vitro, causing morphological damage to the pathogen's mycelia, and identified 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one as the predominant antifungal compound produced during days 3 to 6 of fungal culture. Additionally, T. hamatum VOCs effectively reduced disease symptoms on Ziziphus mauritiana fruit in vivo, suggesting potential applications in biological control to manage soilborne fungal diseases while minimizing chemical fungicide use. The findings support the use of T. hamatum as an environmentally friendly biocontrol agent, though further research is needed to clarify the precise mechanisms of VOC-mediated inhibition.