Protection of grapevine pruning wounds from infection by Eutypa lata using Trichoderma harzianum and Fusarium lateritium

Trichoderma harzianum applied to grapevine pruning wounds in a spore suspension and in the commercial formulations of Trichoseal, Trichoseal spray and Vinevax pruning wound dressing reduced recovery of Eutypa lata in the glasshouse and in the field. Recovery of E. lata was significantly reduced (P < 0.001) when fresh wounds were treated with viable T. harzianum 2 or 7 days before inoculation with ascospores of the pathogen in the glasshouse. In field experiments, recovery of E. lata was significantly reduced (P < 0.001) when fresh pruning wounds were treated with spores of T. harzianum, Fusarium lateritium or Vinevax 1 or 14 days before ascospores were applied. In general, a delay of 14 days between wounding and inoculation with ascospores of E. lata reduced recovery of the pathogen compared with inoculation on the day after wounding.