Managing plant diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi, like anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species, is a challenge. Different methods are being sought to identify compounds with antibiotic properties. The Trichoderma strains represent a source of novel molecules with antifungal properties, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), the production of which is influenced by the medium’s nutrient content. In this study, we assessed the VOCs produced in dual confrontation systems performed in two culture media by Trichoderma strains (T. atroviride IMI206040, T. asperellum T1 and T3, and Trichoderma sp. T2) against Colletotrichum acutatum. We analyze the VOCs profiles using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The Luria Bertani medium (LB) stimulated VOCs production with antifungal properties in most systems. We determined the 2-pentyl furan, dimethyl disulfide, and α-phellandrene antifungal activity in vitro. The equimolar mixture of those VOCs (250 µM) generated 14% C. acutatum diametral growth inhibition. The infective ability and the disease severity caused by the mycelium exposed to the VOCs mixture significantly diminished on strawberry leaves. The application of those VOCs as biofumigants could contribute to managing anthracnose. The use of LB represents a feasible strategy to identify VOCs with antifungal properties even between Trichoderma strains belonging to the same species.

Present research focus on the effect of different processing routes on physical and mechanical properties of nano Ti(CN) based cermet’s with metallic binders. Tungsten carbide (WC) is added as secondary carbide and Ni-Co are added as metallic binders in nano Ti(CN) based cermet processed via Conventional and Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). Systematic comparison of composition and sintering conditions for different cermet’s’ systems is done to design the novel composition and sintering conditions. Nano TiCN powder was prepared by 30hr of ball milling. Highest density of >98.5% percent was achieved for SPS processed cermet’s sintered at 1200°C and 1250°C for 3 min. at 60 MPa pressure in comparison to conventionally sintered cermet’s at 1400°C for 1hr with two stage compaction process, uniaxially at 150 MPa and isostatically at 300 MPa pressure respectively. Comparison of XRD analysis of milled powders of different time intervals was done to understand the characteristics of the as received and milled powders. Peak broadening was observed after 5 hr. of ball milling, and it increased till 30hr. Also, peak broadening and refined carbide size was observed in XRD and SEM micrograph of SPS processed cermet. TEM analysis of milled powder showed internal structure having regular periodic arrangement of planes. SEM (BSE) images of all cermets primarily showed three major microstructural phases of core-rim-binder with black, grey and white contrast respectively. In the present sintering conditions high hardness of ~16 GPa and fracture toughness of ~9 MPa m1/2 was obtained for SPS processed cermets sintered at higher temperature.