Bioprotection and alternative fertilisation of petunia using mycorrhiza in a soilless production system

Abstract

Ornamental crop production is increasing worldwide and petunia is nowadays a major bedding plant with high economic impact. To meet growing demands, a high production of quality nursery plants is needed. However, production in greenhouses is confronted by two main problems: fertiliser-induced salinity and pathogen attack like by Thielaviopsis basicola which both cause high losses. Moreover, there is increasing consumer demand for crops produced by environment-friendly practices. The application of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can present an appropriate approach to avoid excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides. Here, we report studies of the interaction between Petunia hybrida and the AM fungus Glomus mosseae in abiotic and biotic stress situations. Root colonisation by G. mosseae, although very low, was able to compensate phosphate deficiency in the substrate and resulted in increased plant dry matter, water and phosphorus content in the shoots. However, these positive effects were attenuated at high salt concentrations (abiotic stress). In contrast, disease symptoms caused by the root pathogen T. basicola (biotic stress) were significantly reduced in G. mosseaecolonised plants. Such protective effects were not achieved with the AM fungi Glomus intraradices and Gigaspora rosea, and a negative effect of the pathogen on root colonisation by G. intraradices was observed. This shows for the first time under nursery practice conditions that G. mosseae can compensate the negative impact of lower levels of phosphate fertilisation on plant growth in a soilless production system and induce bioprotection of petunia against T. basicola. Based on the different effects observed with the three AM fungi, petunia can provide an experimental system to define the molecular mechanisms underlying mycorrhizainduced resistance against root pathogens.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis in viticulture: a review

“…When grown in the presence of heavy metals, Glomus versiforme improved mineral nutrient uptake of Sorghum bicolor and Zea mays to a greater extent than Glomus mosseae (Guo et al 2013). On the other hand, G. mosseae was more efficient in bioprotecting tomato (Pozo et al 1999) and petunia (Hayek et al 2012) plants than Glomus intraradices. As discussed above, AMF develop an extensive mycelium in the soil, thereby extending the nutrientprospecting zone of the plant.…”

Petunia as model for elucidating adventitious root formation and mycorrhizal symbiosis: at the nexus of physiology, genetics, microbiology and horticulture

“…Thielaviopsis basicola is a pathogenic fungus of petunia that was identified quite some time ago (Johnson ) but is still difficult to control (Hsi and Ortiz ). Hayek et al () demonstrated MIR against T. basicola in petunia roots. A significant reduction of disease symptoms (85%) was observed under these conditions, but interestingly, only for one out of three AM fungal isolates.…”

“…Shamshiri et al () showed a general positive impact of mycorrhization on vegetative and generative development and an increase in drought tolerance. Using a soilless culture system, as usually applied in horticultural practice, it was found that the amount of phosphate in fertilizer could be reduced by half while still achieving the same biomass and phosphate content of petunia plants if the plants were inoculated with an AM fungus (Hayek et al ).…”

Respuesta De La Gladiola a La Aplicación De Biofertilizantes Y Abono Orgánico

“…Parlakova et al (2019) observaron un incremento en la altura de la planta con bacterias promotoras del crecimiento y vermicomposta. En petunia (Petunia hybrida), la presencia de tres hongos diferentes originó efectos positivos (Hayek et al 2012). Püschel et al (2014) probaron el efecto de la inoculación de ocho plantas ornamentales con HMA y encontraron un aumento en el número de flores, en el tamaño de la flor, en el número de hojas y en la longitud de la planta.…”