Journal of Plant Pathology Archive

Abstract:

The study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of Glomus fasciculatum, Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens, alone and in combinations to control disease spread in tomato plants infected with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. The three biological control agents were effective in controlling the disease; however the success rate for inhibition varied among the different treatments. Plants inoculated with P. fluorescens had higher concentration of phenol and greater activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase and catalase. Inoculation with T. viride led to maximum induction of anti-oxidative enzymes such as catalase and peroxidase. On the other hand, G. fasciculatum-inoculated plants showed improved growth and highest phosphorus uptake. A combination of all the three biocontrol agents together, promoted growth and inhibited disease up to 94% in tomato plants. Thus, use of multiple biocontrol agents leads to enhanced level of disease resistance than individual use of bio-inoculants through the induction of multiple defense mechanisms.