Evaluación del potencial microbiano para el biocontrol patogénico en el cultivo de cacao (Theobroma cacao)

Abstract

Microbial biocontrol emerges as a sustainable alternative to combat diseases in cocoa crops (Theobroma cacao). This research evaluated the biocontrol potential of 61 promising microorganisms from three sources: cocoa ferments, tropical dry forests and Antarctic soils, against the phytopathogenic fungi Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Moniliophthora roreri. An exploratory experimental design was used, which began with an in vitro dual confrontation test between the promising microorganisms against the pathogens, culminating in a direct confrontation test to identify microorganisms with antagonistic activity. The in vitro tests together with the statistical analysis revealed that bacteria of the Acetobacter and Bacillus genera from cocoa fermentation together with the endophytic fungi from the tropical dry forest Trichoderma inhamatum and Trichoderma spirale, showed potential as biocontrollers of pathogens from cocoa crops. Other bacterial strains that had antagonistic activity should also be highlighted, such as Lactiplantibacillus fabifermentans, Ralstonia sp. and Priestia megaterium. Bacteria from Antarctic soils did not present antagonistic activity, so the use of microbial consortia in strains that had less antagonistic activity should be considered to enhance their biocontrol effect against pathogens. Finally, this research contributes to the study of promising microorganisms as biological control agents, providing alternatives for future research that promote technological advancement in the agricultural industry.