Evaluation of biological efficacy of Trichoderma asperellum against tomato bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum

Abstract

Bacterial wilt, caused by soilborne bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum, is one of the most severe diseases of tomato worldwide, and no successful control measures are available to date. In the present study, a sustainable alternative tool such as use of fungi from tomato rhizosphere is being utilized to combat the pathogen attack. The application of Trichoderma asperellum (T4 and T8) isolates delayed wilt development, effectively decreased the disease incidence, increased fruit yield, and improved plant growth promotion under field conditions. The T. asperellum treatment decreased the disease incidence by 51.06% (RS + T4) and 52.75% (RS + T8) in Bhoomishettihalli (BH) and 47.21% (RS + T4) and 46.83% (RS + T8) in Madanahalli (MH) plots, respectively when compared with the pathogen-treated plot in year 2014. Correspondent decreases in year 2015 were 50.69% (RS + T4) and 52.38% (RS + T8) in BH and 48.18% (RS + T4) and 49.22% (RS + T8) in MH plots. In year 2014, T. asperellum (T4 and T8) treatment enhanced the yield with 5.45 t/ ha and 5.50 t/ha in BH plot and 6.66 t/ha and 6.93 t/ha in MH plot, respectively, when compared with infected plots. In year 2015, T. asperellum (T4 and T8) treatment enhanced the yield with 5.29 t/ha and 5.51 t/ha in BH plot and 5.82 t/ha and 5.66 t/ha in MH plot, respectively, when compared with infected plots. The disease control and yield enhancement were highest at T8, followed by T4. Increase in the level of peroxidase (POX), phenylalanine ammonium lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), β-1,3-glucanase and total phenol activities at 12th, 10th, 14th, 12th, and 10th days, respectively, after pathogen inoculation was observed. This indicates the induction of plant resistance mechanism by T. asperellum against R. solanacearum in tomato plants under field conditions.

Trichoderma harzianum- and Methyl Jasmonate-Induced Resistance to Bipolaris sorokiniana Through Enhanced Phenylpropanoid Activities in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

“…Singh et al (2016a) had evaluated the biocontrol agents, T. harzianum and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens for control of spot blotch disease and found both the biocontrol agents effective in controlling B. sorokiniana in wheat crop. Trichoderma species are well known biocontrol agents and have been used successfully in management of a number of soil-and seed-borne phytopathogens including fungi (Gajera and Vakharia, 2012; Saravanakumar et al, 2016; Singh et al, 2016a,b), bacteria (Konappa et al, 2018; Yendyo et al, 2018), and even invertebrates (Singh et al, 2017; van Lenteren et al, 2018). As a biocontrol agent, it has potential to colonize and spread in the root, soil and foliar environments without causing any harm to the host plant and simultaneously capable of suppressing phytopathogens effectively (Sahebani and Hadavi, 2008; Singh et al, 2016a,b).…”

Identification of microRNA-like RNAs from Trichoderma asperellum DQ-1 during its interaction with tomato roots using bioinformatic analysis and high-throughput sequencing

“…lycopersici in association with the modulation of defenserelated genes, chitinase (SlChi3), β-1,3-glucanase (SlGluA) and PR-1 (SlPR-1α) [19]. T. asperellum was used to combat Ralstonia solanacearum attack in tomato plants due to the activity of peroxidase (POX), phenylalanine ammonium lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and β-1,3-glucanase being induced significantly [46]. Tomatoes pre-treated with T. harzianum strains T908 and T908-5 reprogram the expression of genes associated with the salicylic acid signaling pathway and ethylene biosynthesis and exhibit decreased susceptibility to Meloidogyne incognita [47].…”

Bioprospecting of Rhizosphere-Resident Fungi: Their Role and Importance in Sustainable Agriculture

“…Furthermore, the tested PGPF—upon treatment—caused a reduction in anthracnose disease severity by ISR in chilli [ 7 ]. Thus, the PGPF-mediated protection in plants via ISR activation displays a high resistance towards pathogenic microbes in distant portions of the crop plants [ 77 , 99 , 141 ].…”