A.A. Matrood1, A. Rhouma2*, M.A. Al Waeli3, W. Anwar3 and L. Hajji-Hedfi2
(1) Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Iraq; (2) Regional Centre of Agricultural Research of Sidi Bouzid, CRRA, Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia; (3) Department of plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Received: 22/7/2024; Accepted: 26/8/2024
Endophytic fungi are being explored as a promising approach for sustainable disease management. This study investigated the potential of Cheatomum globosum, an endophytic fungus, to enhance systemic disease resistance against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in tomato plants. Seedling root immersion with C. globosum culture filtrate under controlled greenhouse conditions resulted in several positive effects on plant growth. These included increased plant height (55.03 cm) and primary root length (14.56 cm), along with increased fresh (7.54 and 4.75 g) and dry (3.21 and 2.05 g) weight of both the aerial and root systems, respectively. Additionally, treated plants exhibited significantly higher total chlorophyll content (3.98 mg/1 g fresh weight), indicating improved photosynthetic potential. Furthermore, the activity of catalase (91.13 units g-1 ml-1 min-1) and peroxidase (4.09 units g-1 ml-1 min-1) enzymes, crucial for scavenging harmful reactive oxygen species, was significantly elevated compared to the untreated control group. Most importantly, C. globosum treatment led to a significant reduction in TMV accumulation within systemically infected leaves (disease severity index = 0.81%). These findings collectively suggest that C. globosum holds promise as a dual-purpose agent, promoting plant growth and at the same time acting as a potential biocontrol tool for combating plant viral diseases.
Disease severity, endophytic fungi, growth parameters, sustainable agriculture, systemic disease resistance, viral disease
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001360