Interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma harzianum and their effects on Fusarium wilt in melon plants grown in seedling nurseries
2009
Martínez-Medina, Ainhoa | Pascual, Jose A. | Lloret, Eva | Roldán, Antonio
BACKGROUND: Biological control through the use of Trichoderma spp. and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could contribute to a reduction of the inputs of environmentally damaging agrochemical products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interactions between four AMF (Glomus intraradices, Glomus mosseae, Glomus claroideum and Glomus constrictum) and Trichoderma harzianum for their effects on melon plant growth and biocontrol of Fusarium wilt in seedling nurseries.RESULTS: AMF colonisation decreased fresh plant weight, which was unaffected by the presence of T. harzianum. Dual inoculation resulted in a decrease in fresh weight compared with AMF-inoculated plants, except for G. intraradices. AMF colonisation level varied with the AM endophyte and was increased by T. harzianum, except in G. mosseae-inoculated plants. Negative effects of AMF on T. harzianum colony-forming units were found, except with G. intraradices. AMF alone were less effective than T. harzianum in suppressing disease development. Combined inoculation resulted in a general synergistic effect on disease control.CONCLUSION: Selection of the appropriate AMF species and its combination with T. harzianum were significant both in the formation and effectiveness of AM symbiosis and the reduction of Fusarium wilt incidence in melon plants. The combination of G. intraradices and T. harzianum provided better results than any other tested.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library