Fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma are known as potential biocontrol agents for plant pathogens and as promoters of plant growth. In order to check a Trichoderma spp. collection (48 isolates) for beneficial effects on plants, growth stimulation of tomato plants and resistance induction in tomato vs Botrytis cinerea were screened. All investigations were performed in a greenhouse. For growth promotion tests, height and dry weight were measured in plants developed in soil inoculated by a Trichoderma conidial suspension. 12 strains affected positively both parameters assayed. Variance analysis pointed out one strain significantly improving both height and dry weight of plants and five strains significantly enhancing the height. The ability to induce disease resistance in plants was assayed in the same conditions, but plants were infected by Botrytis cinerea after Trichoderma inoculation. Leaves were then checked for typical symptoms (necrotic areas) and lesions size was measured. 9 Trichoderma isolates were able, in our experimental conditions, to protect tomato plants from Botrytis cinerea infection: no disease symptoms were detectable in plants pre-treated with such isolates.
Selection of Trichoderma spp. isolates beneficial to crop plants
VERGARA, Mariarosaria;
2005
Abstract
Fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma are known as potential biocontrol agents for plant pathogens and as promoters of plant growth. In order to check a Trichoderma spp. collection (48 isolates) for beneficial effects on plants, growth stimulation of tomato plants and resistance induction in tomato vs Botrytis cinerea were screened. All investigations were performed in a greenhouse. For growth promotion tests, height and dry weight were measured in plants developed in soil inoculated by a Trichoderma conidial suspension. 12 strains affected positively both parameters assayed. Variance analysis pointed out one strain significantly improving both height and dry weight of plants and five strains significantly enhancing the height. The ability to induce disease resistance in plants was assayed in the same conditions, but plants were infected by Botrytis cinerea after Trichoderma inoculation. Leaves were then checked for typical symptoms (necrotic areas) and lesions size was measured. 9 Trichoderma isolates were able, in our experimental conditions, to protect tomato plants from Botrytis cinerea infection: no disease symptoms were detectable in plants pre-treated with such isolates.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
