Biology and histopathology of Ustilago filiformis (=U. longissima), a causal agent of leaf stripe smut of Glyceria multiflora

The aims of this study were to clarify the reproductive biology of the Ustilago filiformis Schrank, as causal agent of the stripe smut of Glyceria multiflora, determine the infection process of the pathogen and analyze the histological changes associated host- Glyceria any fungus attack. Moreover, the life cycle of the fungus was elucidated for the first time. Both teliospores and basidiospores were found to be equally efficient in producing the infection in Glyceria plants after the plants had been inoculated. These results constitute an important contribution for the understanding of the epidemiology of the disease.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Effects of loose kernel smut caused by Sporisorium cruentum onrhizomes of Sorghum halepense

The effect of loose kernel smut fungus Sporisorium cruentum on Sorghum halepense (John son grass) was investigated in vitro and in greenhouse experiments. Smut infection induced a decrease in the dry matter of rhizomes and aerial vegetative parts of the plants evaluated. Moreover, the diseased plants showed a lower height than controls. The infection resulted in multiple smutted buds that caused small panicles infected with the fungus. In addition, changes were observed in the structural morphology of the host. Leaf tissue sections showed hyphae degrading chloroplasts and vascular bundles colonized by the fungus. Subsequently, cells collapsed and widespread necrosis was observed as a symptom of the disease. The pathogen did not colonize the gynoecium of Sorghum plants until the tassel was fully developed. The sporulation process of the fungus led to a total disintegration of anthers and tissues. When panicles were inspected before emergence, fungal hyphae were observed on floral primord. Histological sections of panicles showed fungal hyphae located in the parenchyma tissue and the nodal area. Infection occurred in the floral primordium before the tassel had fully developed and emerged from the flag leaf. Grains were replaced by sori surrounded by a thin membrane that usually was broken before or after the emergence of the panicle. The results, together with the significant decrease of the dry matter of rhizomes and seeds of S. halepense, suggest that S. cruentum could be considered as a potential biocontrol agent in the integrated management of this weed.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales (FCAF

Biology and histopathology of Ustilago filiformis (=U. longissima), a causal agent of leaf stripe smut of Glyceria multiflora

The aims of this study were to clarify the reproductive biology of the Ustilago filiformis Schrank, as causal agent of the stripe smut of Glyceria multiflora, determine the infection process of the pathogen and analyze the histological changes associated host- Glyceria any fungus attack. Moreover, the life cycle of the fungus was elucidated for the first time. Both teliospores and basidiospores were found to be equally efficient in producing the infection in Glyceria plants after the plants had been inoculated. These results constitute an important contribution for the understanding of the epidemiology of the disease.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Epichloid endophytes confer resistance to the smut Ustilago bullata in the wild grass Bromus auleticus (Trin.)

In this work it was studied for the first time whether asexual Epichloë (Neotyphodium) endophytes of Bromus auleticus, protect their host plants against the pathogenic fungus Ustilago bullata.Seeds of two different ecotypes of B. auleticus, one of them infected with the endophyte Neotyphodium pampeanum (NpE+) and the other infected with the endophyte Neotyphodium tembladerae (NtE+) and their respectively endophyte-free (NpE-/NtE-) counterparts were used. Seeds of each ecotype and endophytic status were superficially disinfected and were randomly assigned to different treatments named: S+ (smut fungus inoculated) and S- (mock-inoculated). It was evaluated the effect of U. bullata infection on plant characteristics in every stage of their life cycle: seedling emergence, vegetative growth, mortality and smut symptoms in the florets.In NtE+ infected plants, smut disease was almost completely suppressed, whereas in their endophyte-free counterparts (NpE-) the incidence of smut symptoms reached 64%. In NpE+ infected plants smut incidence was significantly lower (7%) than in endophyte-free plants (39%). Although U. bullata infection decreased the emergence rate of both endophyte-infected and endophyte-free plants, neutral or protective effects of the endophytes were observed in seedling development and survival. The survival during the first year of NtE+ plants was higher than in their NtE- counterparts.These results indicate a strong beneficial effect of vertically transmitted endophytes against this pathogen.Fil: Vignale, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; ArgentinaFil: Astiz Gassó, Marta Mónica. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales. Instituto Fitotécnico de "Santa Catalina"; ArgentinaFil: Novas, María Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; ArgentinaFil: Iannone, Leopoldo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentin

Biological control of Fusarium graminearum : use of Trichoderma spp. and biofumigation with aerial part of Brassica juncea

Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: determinar la factibilidad de la utilización combinada de dos métodos de control biológico: la aplicación del hongo antagonista Trichoderma spp. y la biofumigación con la parte aérea de Brassica juncea en el estadio de fin de fructificación; evaluar su efecto sobre el crecimiento del patógeno Fusarium graminearum. Se trituraron plantas de B. juncea y se colocaron en recipientes de plástico en dosis de 5 y 10 g. Sobre el material triturado se apoyó una caja de Petri con agar papa glucosado al 2%, que contenía un disco con micelio de F. graminearum o Trichoderma spp. o ambos hongos. Los recipientes de plástico se cerraron e incubaron a 25±2°C en oscuridad durante 7 días. Finalizado este período, se midió el diámetro de las colonias. Se obtuvieron los siguientes resultados: i) cuando se biofumigaron por separado, no se observó efecto fungistático de B. juncea sobre Trichoderma spp. ni sobre F. graminearum; ii) en ausencia del biofumigante, Trichoderma spp. inhibió significativamente el crecimiento de las colonias de F. graminearum, iii) la combinación de Trichoderma spp. y la biofumigación con B. juncea mostró un efecto sinérgico sobre el control del crecimiento miceliar de F. graminearum. Los resultados in vitro sugieren que el crecimiento de Trichoderma spp. y su potencial efecto de biocontrol sobre F. graminearum, no son afectados por la biofumigación con B. juncea. La utilización combinada de Trichoderma spp. y la biofumigación con B. juncea, tendría un efecto sinérgico sobre el control del crecimiento de F. graminearum.The aims of this work were: to determine feasibility of the combination of two biological control methods: application of antagonistic fungus Trichoderma spp. and biofumigation with the aerial part of Brassica juncea in the end of fruiting stage; to evaluate their effect on the growth of the pathogen Fusarium graminearum. Two doses (5 and 10 g) of triturated plant material from B. juncea were placed in plastic recipients. Petri dishes with potato glucose agar medium 2% and a disc inoculated with F. graminearum, or Trichoderma spp. or both fungi, were placed on top of the plant material. Plastic recipients were then closed and incubated at 25±2°C in darkness for 7 days. After that, the diameter of the colonies was measured. The results indicated that: i) when Trichoderma spp. and F. graminearum were biofumigated separately, fungistatic effect was not observed, ii) without biofumigant, Trichoderma spp. significantly inhibited growth of F. graminearum colonies, iii) the combination of Trichoderma spp. and the biofumigation with B. juncea showed synergic effect on growth control of F. graminearum. These in vitro results suggest that the growth of Trichoderma spp. and its potential biocontrol effect of F. graminearum, are not affected by biofumigation with B. juncea. Also, the combination of Trichoderma spp. and biofumigation with B. juncea, would have synergic effect on growth control of F. graminearum.Fil: Perniola, Omar Salvador. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y ForestalesFil: Staltari, Sebastián. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y ForestalesFil: Chorzempa, Silvia Elena. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora. Facultad de Ciencias AgrariasFil: Astiz Gassó, Marta Mónica. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y ForestalesFil: Molina, María del Carmen. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Epichloid endophytes confer resistance to the smut Ustilago bullata in the wild grass Bromus auleticus (Trin.)

In this work it was studied for the first time whether asexual Epichloe ( Neotyphodium ) endophytes of Bromus auleticus , protect their host plants against the pathogenic fungus Ustilago bullata. Seeds of two different ecotypes of B. auleticus , one of them infected with the endophyte Neotyphodium pampeanum (NpE+) and the other infected with the endophyte Neotyphodium tembladerae (NtE+) and their respectively endophyte-free (NpE−/NtE−) counterparts were used. Seeds of each ecotype and endophytic status were superficially disinfected and were randomly assigned to different treatments named: S+ (smut fungus inoculated) and S− (mock-inoculated). It was evaluated the effect of U. bullata infection on plant characteristics in every stage of their life cycle: seedling emergence, vegetative growth, mortality and smut symptoms in the florets. In NtE+ infected plants, smut disease was almost completely suppressed, whereas in their endophyte-free counterparts (NpE−) the incidence of smut symptoms reached 64%. In NpE+ infected plants smut incidence was significantly lower (7%) than in endophyte-free plants (39%). Although U. bullata infection decreased the emergence rate of both endophyte-infected and endophyte-free plants, neutral or protective effects of the endophytes were observed in seedling development and survival. The survival during the first year of NtE+ plants was higher than in their NtE− counterparts. These results indicate a strong beneficial effect of vertically transmitted endophytes against this pathogen.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Biological control of Fusarium graminearum: use of Trichoderma spp. and biofumigation with aerial part ofBrassica juncea

Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: determinar la factibilidad de la utilización combinada de dos métodos de control biológico: la aplicación del hongo antagonista Trichoderma spp. y la biofumigación con la parte aérea de Brassica juncea en el estadio de fin de fructificación; evaluar su efecto sobre el crecimiento del patógeno Fusarium graminearum. Se trituraron plantas de B. juncea y se colocaron en recipientes de plástico en dosis de 5 y 10 g. Sobre el material triturado se apoyó una caja de Petri con agar papa glucosado al 2%, que contenía un disco con micelio de F. graminearum o Trichoderma spp. o ambos hongos. Los recipientes de plástico se cerraron e incubaron a 25±2°C en oscuridad durante 7 días. Finalizado este período, se midió el diámetro de las colonias. Se obtuvieron los siguientes resultados: i) cuando se biofumigaron por separado, no se observó efecto fungistático de B. juncea sobre Trichoderma spp. ni sobre F. graminearum; ii) en ausencia del biofumigante, Trichoderma spp. inhibió significativamente el crecimiento de las colonias de F. graminearum, iii) la combinación de Trichoderma spp. y la biofumigación con B. juncea mostró un efecto sinérgico sobre el control del crecimiento miceliar de F. graminearum. Los resultados in vitro sugieren que el crecimiento de Trichoderma spp. y su potencial efecto de biocontrol sobre F. graminearum, no son afectados por la biofumigación con B. juncea. La utilización combinada de Trichoderma spp. y la biofumigación con B. juncea, tendría un efecto sinérgico sobre el control del crecimiento de F. graminearumThe aims of this work were: to determine feasibility of the combination of two biological control methods: application of antagonistic fungus Trichoderma spp. and biofumigation with the aerial part of Brassica juncea in the end of fruiting stage; to evaluate their effect on the growth of the pathogen Fusarium graminearum. Two doses (5 and 10 g) of triturated plant material from B. juncea were placed in plastic recipients. Petri dishes with potato glucose agar medium 2% and a disc inoculated with F. graminearum, or Trichoderma spp. or both fungi, were placed on top of the plant material. Plastic recipients were then closed and incubated at 25±2°C in darkness for 7 days. After that, the diameter of the colonies was measured. The results indicated that: i) when Trichoderma spp. and F. graminearum were biofumigated separately, fungistatic effect was not observed, ii) without biofumigant, Trichoderma spp. significantly inhibited growth of F. graminearum colonies, iii) the combination of Trichoderma spp. and the biofumigation with B. juncea showed synergic effect on growth control of F. graminearum. These in vitro results suggest that the growth of Trichoderma spp. And its potential biocontrol effect of F. graminearum, are not affected by biofumigation with B. juncea. Also, the combination of Trichoderma spp. and biofumigation with B. juncea, would have synergic effect on growth control of F. graminearum.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y ForestalesConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnica

Control biológico de Fusarium graminearum: utilización de Trichoderma spp. y biofumigación con parte aérea de Brassica juncea

The aims of this work were: to determine feasibility of the combination of two biological control methods: application of antagonistic fungus Trichoderma spp. and biofumigation with the aerial part of Brassica juncea in the end of fruiting stage; to evaluate their effect on the growth of the pathogen Fusarium graminearum. Two doses (5 and 10 g) of triturated plant material from B. juncea were placed in plastic recipients. Petri dishes with potato glucose agar medium 2% and a disc inoculated with F. graminearum, or Trichoderma spp. or both fungi, were placed on top of the plant material. Plastic recipients were then closed and incubated at 25±2°C in darkness for 7 days. After that, the diameter of the colonies was measured. The results indicated that: i) when Trichoderma spp. and F. graminearum were biofumigated separately, fungistatic effect was not observed, ii) without biofumigant, Trichoderma spp. significantly inhibited growth of F. graminearum colonies, iii) the combination of Trichoderma spp. and the biofumigation with B. juncea showed synergic effect on growth control of F. graminearum. These in vitro results suggest that the growth of Trichoderma spp. and its potential biocontrol effect of F. graminearum, are not affected by biofumigation with B. juncea. Also, the combination of Trichoderma spp. and biofumigation with B. juncea, would have synergic effect on growth control of F. graminearum.Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: determinar la factibilidad de la utilización combinada de dos métodos de control biológico: la aplicación del hongo antagonista Trichoderma spp. y la biofumigación con la parte aérea de Brassica juncea en el estadio de fin de fructificación; evaluar su efecto sobre el crecimiento del patógeno Fusarium graminearum. Se trituraron plantas de B. juncea y se colocaron en recipientes de plástico en dosis de 5 y 10 g. Sobre el material triturado se apoyó una caja de Petri con agar papa glucosado al 2%, que contenía un disco con micelio de F. graminearum o Trichoderma spp. o ambos hongos. Los recipientes de plástico se cerraron e incubaron a 25±2°C en oscuridad durante 7 días. Finalizado este período, se midió el diámetro de las colonias. Se obtuvieron los siguientes resultados: i) cuando se biofumigaron por separado, no se observó efecto fungistático de B. juncea sobre Trichoderma spp. ni sobre F. graminearum; ii) en ausencia del biofumigante, Trichoderma spp. inhibió significativamente el crecimiento de las colonias de F. graminearum, iii) la combinación de Trichoderma spp. y la biofumigación con B. juncea mostró un efecto sinérgico sobre el control del crecimiento miceliar de F. graminearum. Los resultados in vitro sugieren que el crecimiento de Trichoderma spp. y su potencial efecto de biocontrol sobre F. graminearum, no son afectados por la biofumigación con B. juncea. La utilización combinada de Trichoderma spp. y la biofumigación con B. juncea, tendría un efecto sinérgico sobre el control del crecimiento de F. graminearum

Biological control of Fusarium graminearum: use of Trichoderma spp. and biofumigation with aerial part ofBrassica juncea

Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: determinar la factibilidad de la utilización combinada de dos métodos de control biológico: la aplicación del hongo antagonista Trichoderma spp. y la biofumigación con la parte aérea de Brassica juncea en el estadio de fin de fructificación; evaluar su efecto sobre el crecimiento del patógeno Fusarium graminearum. Se trituraron plantas de B. juncea y se colocaron en recipientes de plástico en dosis de 5 y 10 g. Sobre el material triturado se apoyó una caja de Petri con agar papa glucosado al 2%, que contenía un disco con micelio de F. graminearum o Trichoderma spp. o ambos hongos. Los recipientes de plástico se cerraron e incubaron a 25±2°C en oscuridad durante 7 días. Finalizado este período, se midió el diámetro de las colonias. Se obtuvieron los siguientes resultados: i) cuando se biofumigaron por separado, no se observó efecto fungistático de B. juncea sobre Trichoderma spp. ni sobre F. graminearum; ii) en ausencia del biofumigante, Trichoderma spp. inhibió significativamente el crecimiento de las colonias de F. graminearum, iii) la combinación de Trichoderma spp. y la biofumigación con B. juncea mostró un efecto sinérgico sobre el control del crecimiento miceliar de F. graminearum. Los resultados in vitro sugieren que el crecimiento de Trichoderma spp. y su potencial efecto de biocontrol sobre F. graminearum, no son afectados por la biofumigación con B. juncea. La utilización combinada de Trichoderma spp. y la biofumigación con B. juncea, tendría un efecto sinérgico sobre el control del crecimiento de F. graminearumThe aims of this work were: to determine feasibility of the combination of two biological control methods: application of antagonistic fungus Trichoderma spp. and biofumigation with the aerial part of Brassica juncea in the end of fruiting stage; to evaluate their effect on the growth of the pathogen Fusarium graminearum. Two doses (5 and 10 g) of triturated plant material from B. juncea were placed in plastic recipients. Petri dishes with potato glucose agar medium 2% and a disc inoculated with F. graminearum, or Trichoderma spp. or both fungi, were placed on top of the plant material. Plastic recipients were then closed and incubated at 25±2°C in darkness for 7 days. After that, the diameter of the colonies was measured. The results indicated that: i) when Trichoderma spp. and F. graminearum were biofumigated separately, fungistatic effect was not observed, ii) without biofumigant, Trichoderma spp. significantly inhibited growth of F. graminearum colonies, iii) the combination of Trichoderma spp. and the biofumigation with B. juncea showed synergic effect on growth control of F. graminearum. These in vitro results suggest that the growth of Trichoderma spp. And its potential biocontrol effect of F. graminearum, are not affected by biofumigation with B. juncea. Also, the combination of Trichoderma spp. and biofumigation with B. juncea, would have synergic effect on growth control of F. graminearum.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y ForestalesConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnica

Obtención de la primera variedad argentina de mostaza india: SANTA CATALINA UNLP, para su utilización como biofumigante

In recent decades, the greater awareness of society about the harmful effects of agrochemicals on health and the environment, has generated changes in some horticultural and flower farms in the green belt of Buenos Aires, which have incorporated other strategies to control pests, friendly with the environment, and reduced the use of synthetic pesticides. In this context, biofumigation with indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czerniak) is presented as an effective biological strategy for the control of soil pests, which could be part of an agroecological pest management program. In our country there are use experiences of biofumigation practices with local resources (mainly, harvest residues of horticultural Brassicaceae species) but there were no cultivar developments for biofumigant purposes. For this reason, a mass selection process was carried out and the biofumigant variety SANTA CATALINA UNLP was obtained, which is the first cultivar of indian mustard registered in the national registry of cultivars (Registro Nacional de Cultivares, INASE). The SANTA CATALINA UNLP indian mustard variety was developed for use as a biofumigant for soils and substrates in horticultural and floricultural productions. Given that the selection process was carried out in Llavallol town (Buenos Aires Province), this cultivar is adapted to the environmental conditions of the green belt of Buenos Aires. Numerous investigations carried out during the cultivar selection period have demonstrated the efficacy of biofumigation with this variety to suppress some species of phytopathogenic fungi, to reduce populations of phytophagous nematodes and to inhibit the emergence and growth of some weeds. Biofumigation with indian mustard was also shown not to affect the antagonistic fungus Trichoderma spp. nor to the free-living soil nematodes (beneficial). The SANTA CATALINA UNLP variety was developed at the Instituto Fitotécnico de Santa Catalina, a facility at Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. From 2009 to 2016, mass selection was made on a mixed population from a batch of indian mustard seeds that entered the country from India, to be marketed as a condiment. The plants with the highest aerial biomass and with the lowest incidence and severity of black rot or V-spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris) were selected. At the same time, tests were carried out to evaluate its capacity as a biofumigant for the biocontrol of agricultural pests. In June 2017 it was multiplied, verifying the stability of the variety. In several tests it was observed that biofumigation with indian mustard had a suppressing effect on the growth in vitro of Fusarium graminearum. In another work, it was concluded that biofumigation significantly reduced the amount of sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii. The results obtained in several trials showed that the biocontrol technique with the Trichoderma spp antagonist fungus can be considered compatible with B. juncea biofumigation. Thus, the growth of the Trichoderma spp. beneficial fungus it was not affected by biofumigation with B. juncea. In another trial, it was observed that biofumigation with low doses of B. juncea did not inhibit the in vitro growth of colonies of Azospirillum brasilense, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. Regarding the effect of biofumigation on weeds, a reduction in the growth of several weed species was observed: Anoda cristata, Picris echiodes, Portulaca oleracea, Digitaria sanguinalis and Taraxacum officinalis. It was also determined that biofumigation with SANTA CATALINA UNLP increased the density of free-living nematodes and reduced the density of plant parasitic nematodes.En las últimas décadas, la mayor concientización de la sociedad sobre los efectos nocivos de los agroquímicos sobre la salud y el medio ambiente, ha generado cambios en algunas explotaciones hortícolas y florícolas del cinturón verde de Buenos Aires, que han incorporado otras estrategias de control de plagas, amigables con el medio ambiente, reduciendo el uso de plaguicidas sintéticos. En este contexto, la biofumigación con mostaza india (Brassica juncea L. Czerniak) se presenta como una táctica biológica eficaz para el control de plagas de suelo, que podría formar parte de un programa de manejo agroecológico de plagas. En nuestro país hay registros de prácticas de biofumigación con recursos locales (principalmente, restos de cosecha de especies hortícolas brassicáceas), pero no existían desarrollos de cultivares con propósitos biofumigantes. Por este motivo, se realizó un proceso de selección masal y se obtuvo la variedad biofumigante SANTA CATALINA UNLP, que es el primer cultivar de mostaza india inscripto en el Registro Nacional de Cultivares del INASE. La variedad de mostaza india SANTA CATALINA UNLP fue desarrollada para su utilización como biofumigante de suelos y sustratos en producciones hortícolas y florícolas. Dado que el proceso de selección se realizó en la localidad de Llavallol, conurbano bonaerense, este cultivar se adapta a las condiciones medioambientales del cinturón verde de Buenos Aires. Numerosas investigaciones realizadas durante el período de selección del cultivar, han demostrado que la biofumigación con esta variedad es eficaz para suprimir algunas especies de hongos fitopatógenos, reducir poblaciones de nematodos fitófagos y para inhibir la emergencia y el crecimiento de algunas malezas. También se demostró que la biofumigación con mostaza india no afecta al hongo antagonista Trichoderma spp. ni a los nematodos de vida libre del suelo (benéficos). La variedad SANTA CATALINA UNLP fue desarrollada en el Instituto Fitotécnico de Santa Catalina, dependencia de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Desde el año 2009 hasta el 2016 se realizó selección masal sobre una población mixta proveniente de un lote de semillas de mostaza india que ingresó al país procedente de la India, para ser comercializado como condimento. Se seleccionaron las plantas con mayor biomasa aérea y con menor incidencia y severidad de podredumbre negra o mancha en V (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris). Paralelamente se realizaron ensayos para evaluar su capacidad como biofumigante para el biocontrol de plagas agrícolas. En junio de 2017 fue multiplicada, verificándose la estabilidad de la variedad. En varios ensayos se observó que la biofumigación con mostaza india tuvo efecto supresor sobre el crecimiento de Fusarium graminearum cultivado in vitro. En otro trabajo se concluyó que la biofumigación redujo significativamente la cantidad de esclerocios de Sclerotium rolfsii. Los resultados obtenidos en varios ensayos mostraron que la técnica de biocontrol con el hongo antagonista Trichoderma spp. puede ser considerada compatible con la biofumigación con B. juncea. Además, el crecimiento del hongo benéfico Trichoderma spp. no fue afectado por la biofumigación con B. juncea. En otro ensayo se observó que la biofumigación con dosis bajas B. juncea no inhibió el crecimiento in vitro de colonias de Azospirillum brasilense, bacteria rizosférica promotora del crecimiento vegetal. Con respecto al efecto de la biofumigación sobre las malezas, se observó reducción del crecimiento de varias  especies de malezas: Anoda cristata (malva cimarrona), Picris echiodes, Portulaca oleracea (verdolaga), Digitaria sanguinalis (pasto de cuaresma) y Taraxacum officinalis (diente de león). También se determinó que la biofumigación con SANTA CATALINA UNLP incrementó la densidad de nematodos de vida libre y redujo la densidad de nematodos parásitos de plantas