In vitro antifungal effects of potassium bicarbonate on Trichoderma sp. and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Bicarbonates are often utilized in the food industry to avoid fermentation and to improve pH, flavor, and texture. In the same manner, bicarbonates have been demonstrated to control postharvest phytopathogens; however, there are no reports describing the effects of these chemical compounds either on soil-borne pathogens such as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum or on antagonist fungi such as Trichoderma species. This study evaluated the antifungal effect of increasing concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 25, and 50mM) of potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) on the growth of Trichoderma sp. strain R39 and S. sclerotiorum under in vitro systems. Applications of KHCO3 greater than 8mM significantly inhibited (P