Trichoderma as a biocontrol agent for damping-off and its impact on cucumber biochemical alterations
Cucumber plants are vulnerable to soil-borne fungal diseases. Fungicides control cucumber diseases but pose health risks from pesticide residues. Native bio agent strains suppressing plant pathogens while promoting plant growth and maintaining soil health.This study aimed to isolate and identify ind...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Bologna
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Italian Journal of Mycology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://italianmycology.unibo.it/article/view/21066 |
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| Summary: | Cucumber plants are vulnerable to soil-borne fungal diseases. Fungicides control cucumber diseases but pose health risks from pesticide residues. Native bio agent strains suppressing plant pathogens while promoting plant growth and maintaining soil health.This study aimed to isolate and identify indigenous Trichoderma species and evaluate their efficacy as cucumber seed dressings for controlling damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Sclerotium rolfsii. Trichoderma afroharzianum demonstrated the highest radial growth inhibition (81.3%) against M. phaseolina, while T. asperellum showed 75.0% inhibition against F. solani. Seed dressing with these bio-agents significantly reduced damping-off incidence, increased plant survival, and enhanced the accumulation of phenolic compounds, including total phenols. It also boosted peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, and carboxymethyl cellulase activities. Furthermore, T. afroharzianum improved chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, promoting photosynthesis and disease resistance. The two Trichoderma species exhibit potential as novel biocontrol agents with antifungal and plant growth-promoting properties. |
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| ISSN: | 2531-7342 |