Many Trichoderma species are well-known for their ability to promote plant growth and defence. We study how the interaction of bean plants with R. solani and/or Trichoderma affect the plants growth and the level of expression of defence-related genes. Trichoderma isolates were evaluated in vitro for their potential to antagonize R. solani. Bioassays were performed in climatic chambers and development of the plants was evaluated. The effect of Trichoderma treatment and/or R. solani infection on the expression of bean defence-related genes was analysed by real-time PCR and the production of ergosterol and squalene was quantified. In vitro growth inhibition of R. solani was between 86% and 58%. In In in vivo assays, the bean plants treated with Trichoderma harzianum T019 always had an increased size respect to control and the plants treated with this isolate did not decrease their size in presence of R. solani. The interaction of plants with R. solani and/or Trichoderma affects the level of expression of seven defence-related genes. Squalene and ergosterol production differences were found among the Trichoderma isolates, T019 showing the highest values for both compounds. T. harzianum T019 shows a positive effect on the level of resistance of bean plants to R. solani. This strain induces the expression of plant defence-related genes and produces a higher level of ergosterol, indicating its ability to grow at a higher rate in the soil, which would explain its positive effects on plant growth and defence in the presence of the pathogen.

Humulus lupulus L. is a long-lived, perennial, herbaceous, and dioecious climbing plant. The foremost producers in the European Union are Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, and Spain. The Spanish cultivated area is concentrated in the province of León. Powdery mildew, caused by Podosphaera macularis, menaces hop production and quality in all hop growing regions located in the Northern hemisphere, colonizing leaves, petioles, inflorescences, and finally cones. In this work, powdery mildew control was monitored, comparing nine fungicide strategies: five organics, two integrated disease management (IDM)-based, with and without Nutragreen^® nanoscale carrier, and two conventional treatments (CON) with and without Nutragreen^® nanoscale carrier. The organic treatments were able to diminish P. macularis on leaves, but no effect was observed in cones. CON treatments reduced the infection on leaves and cones and increased the cone quantity and quality. Likewise, IDM-based treatments provided satisfactory results as they diminished powdery mildew on leaves and cones. Finally, dose reduction using a Nutragreen^® nanoscale carrier showed beneficial effects in the control of powdery mildew compared to the commercial dose. Hence, the use of nanoscale carries permits a 30% reduction in pesticide dose, which optimizes yield and hop quality, reduces risks linked to pesticides, and aids in compliance with public and international policy demands.

The hop aphid Phorodon humuli (Schrank) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a serious pest in most areas where hops are grown. A field trial was performed on a hop yard throughout 2002, 2003 and 2004 in León (Spain) in order to analyse the population development of Phorodon humuli and its natural enemies, as well as to determine the most effective integrated program of insecticide treatments. The basic population development pattern of P. humuli was similar in the three years: the population peaked between mid to late June, and then decreased in late June/early July, rising again and reaching another peak in mid-July, after which it began to decline, rising once more in late August; this last rise is characteristic of Spain and has not been recorded in the rest of Europe. The hop aphid’s main natural enemy found on the leaves was Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The multiple regression analysis showed that aphids are positively related with the presence of beetle eggs and mean daily temperatures and negatively related with maximum daily temperature integral above 27ºC in plots without insecticide treatment. The most effective program of insecticide (imidacloprid) treatments consisted of an initial treatment in June and a second treatment in the second half of July or at the beginning of August. However, a single treatment in June would be sufficient when in this last period the maximum daily temperatures were higher than 27ºC for at least 15 days, avoiding in this way the harmful effects of imidacloprid on predators.

The number of plants produced in horticultural substrates has increased over the last decade. These substrates are to have some physicochemical and phytosanitary characteristics that allow for optimal growth. Rhizoctonia solani JG Kühn is one of the root and hypocotyl diseases that frequently develops in seedbeds causing severe economic losses worldwide. The aim of this work was to evaluate the substrates and additives used in bean plantlets and the R. solani disease severity. The use of vermiculite or peat did not affect bean germination percentage, but peat promoted the development of the aerial part and vermiculite improved the growth of the root system. R. solani reduced bean germination percentage and bean growth in both peat and vermiculite. The presence of additives (bentonite and/or cornmeal) in the substrates (vermiculite or peat) reduced bean germination and development, favouring the severity of R. solani. However, the addition of cornmeal improves bean dry weight of the aerial part. So, whenever it is necessary to add additives to the substrates to improve the installation and development of a biocontrol agent, such as Trichoderma harzianum, the mix of peat and cornmeal would improve the development of both bean and biocontrol agent.