Degradation of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by fungus gnats (Bradysia coprophila) and the biocontrol fungi Trichoderma spp.

Abstract Our purpose was to evaluate the ability of fungus gnats ( Bradysia coprophila ) and mycoparasitic fungi, alone or in combination, to degrade sclerotia of the plant pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum . A collection of potential mycoparasites was evaluated for the ability to degrade sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum in soil. The most effective isolate, Trichoderma hamatum TMCS-3, was combined with fungus gnats in laboratory pot tests. Fewer sclerotia survived in the combination treatments, compared to treatments with either organism alone, and the viability of sclerotia was reduced.