Silicon and antagonistic microorganisms in the control of Fusarium sp. on soybean

Abstract

Soybean cultivation is negatively affected by several diseases of economic importance, especially those caused by fungi. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of silicon handling, either alone or in association with Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma sp., on the control of Fusarium sp. in soybean plants. The experimental design was a randomized block design, with four replications, in plastic field bags. The foliar applications of silicon at doses 0.0; 1.0; 2.5; 4.0 and 5.5 ml L-1 were performed at the V6 and R1 stages. Disease severity, area under disease progress curve, plant height, number of pods per plant, number of grains per plant and total grains per plant were evaluated. Foliar applications of silicon (alone) promoted greater granulation, with increments greater than 12 grains per plant. Management with silicon, B. subtilis, Trichoderma sp. controls the severity of Fusarium sp. in soybean plants. Silicon at the highest doses associated with B. subtilis has a growth promoting effect on soybean plants.