Controle biológico no tratamento de sementes de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Abstract

Given the phytosanitary challenges and the increasing demand for sustainable alternatives, biological control emerges as a promising option to chemical agents. This study evaluated the efficacy of biological and chemical treatments in controlling Fusarium sp. in bean seeds, as well as their effects on germination, seed health, and seedling dry matter. The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions using seeds of the cultivar IPR Tuiuiú, artificially inoculated with the pathogen and treated with biological agents based on Trichoderma harzianum, Purpureocillium lilacinum, and Bacillus subtilis, in addition to a chemical treatment composed of fipronil, thiophanate-methyl, and pyraclostrobin. The control consisted of inoculated and untreated seeds. All treatments reduced contamination by Fusarium oxysporum compared to the control, with the chemical treatment and Trichoderma isolates showing the lowest means. Regarding germination and vigor, treatments with Trichoderma and Bacillus subtilis performed equally or better than the chemical treatment, while Purpureocillium lilacinum promoted greater dry matter accumulation. It is concluded that biological agents show efficiency comparable to the chemical treatment and potential to promote early seedling development, representing a viable and sustainable alternative for bean seed treatment.