Elevation of Defense Network in Chilli Against Colletotrichum capsici by Phyllospheric Trichoderma Strain

Abstract

Biocontrol strategies have been mainly focused on proposing the use of biocontrol agents (BCAs) isolated from the rhizospheric region of the plant for protection against phytopathogens. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of phyllospheric Trichoderma isolates in elevating the defense responses in chilli against Colletotrichum capsici infection and comparing its efficiency to the conventionally recommended rhizospheric Trichoderma strains. The elicitation of the defense network in the plants was analyzed using biochemical assays for important enzymes, that is, PAL, PO, PPO, TPC, SOD along with the total protein level in challenged plants over untreated and unchallenged control plants. The results recorded 2.1, 5.18, 3, 0.67, and 0.5-fold increases in TPC, PAL, PO, PPO, and total protein content in BHUF4 (phyllopsheric Trichoderma isolate)-treated plants when compared to control plants under C. capsici challenge. This was at par with the increment recorded in T16A (rhizospheric Trichoderma isolate)-treated chilli plants. The increment in growth parameters was also recorded after treatment with the isolated Trichoderma strains. Interestingly, the phyllospheric isolate (BHUF4) treatment recorded comparable growth promotion in chilli plants recording 36, 62, and 60 % increases in one of the major parameters of plant growth, that is, root length, no. of leaves, and dry weight, respectively. This study proposes the use of combined application of both rhizospheric as well as phyllospheric Trichoderma isolates for better and all around protection of plants against foliar as well as soil phytopathogens. This would be a novel approach in biological control strategy for better management of anthracnose disease of chilli.

Screening of Endophytic Fungal Isolates Against Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae Causing Oak Wilt Disease in Korea

“…Several fungal isolates were identified as the same species, but their antifungal activities against oak wilt were different ( Table 2). This is consistent with previous findings that endophytic fungi isolated from different host tree species or tissues showed different antifungal activities against pathogens [27][28][29]. For instance, Trochoderma theobromicola DIS 376f isolated from Cola praecuta inhibited 19.2% mycelial growth of P. capsici, while T. theobromicola DIS 85f isolated from Theobroma cacao had no antifungal activity against this pathogen in hot pepper [27].…”

“…For instance, Trochoderma theobromicola DIS 376f isolated from Cola praecuta inhibited 19.2% mycelial growth of P. capsici, while T. theobromicola DIS 85f isolated from Theobroma cacao had no antifungal activity against this pathogen in hot pepper [ 27 ]. The antifungal activity against Colletotrichum capsici of Trichoderma isolates obtained from the phyllosphere of health chili plants was significantly higher than those of Trichoderma isolates obtained from the rhizospheric region [ 28 ]. Three isolates of endophytic fungus Fusarium equiseti, Fe1, Fe2, and Fe3 obtained from roots of Vicia villosa and Triticum aestivum had various effects on reduction of root rot disease caused by Fusarium avenaceum and Peyronellaea pinodella in pea ( Pisum sativum ) [ 29 ].…”

“…of health chili plants was significantly higher than those of Trichoderma isolates obtained from the rhizospheric region [28]. Three isolates of endophytic fungus Fusarium equiseti, Fe1, Fe2, and Fe3 obtained from roots of Vicia villosa and Triticum aestivum had various effects on reduction of root rot disease caused by Fusarium avenaceum and Peyronellaea pinodella in pea (Pisum sativum) [29].…”

Chilli Anthracnose: The Epidemiology and Management

“…The need for an effective all around protection of the plant triggered our group to study the effectiveness of Trichoderma isolates dwelling at the phylloplane of the healthy plants to concur the pathogenic ingression. Recently, Trichoderma isolates from the phylloplane of healthy leaves were found equally successful in controlling disease incidence as evident from the elevated induction of defense related enzymes and reduced disease incidence on host plants (Saxena et al, 2016a ).…”

Controle in vitro de Colletotrichum truncatum do feijão fava (Phaseolus lunatus) por Trichoderma spp.

“…Vários estudos indicam que espécies de Trichoderma são agentes eficazes de biocontrole para o patógeno Colletotrichum spp. (Chargas et al, 2016;Saxena et al, 2016;Cruz-Quiroz et al, 2018;Costa et al, 2019).…”