Rhizophagus irregularis as a Biocontrol Agent against Fusarium oxysporum in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), with a Focus on Systemic Resistance Mechanisms
Keywords:
Comparative anatomy, histomorphology, avian kidney, mammalian kidney, nephron, Gallus domesticus, Rattus norvegicusAbstract
Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol), is a devastating soil-borne disease affecting tomato production worldwide. This study investigated the biocontrol potential of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis against Fusarium wilt in tomato, emphasizing systemic resistance mechanisms. Greenhouse experiments evaluated four treatments: untreated control, F. oxysporum alone, R. irregularis + F. oxysporum, and R. irregularis + Trichoderma harzianum + F. oxysporum. Pre-inoculation with R. irregularis significantly reduced disease incidence and severity compared to pathogen-only controls. Mycorrhizal colonization enhanced shoot height, root length, and biomass. Biochemical analyses revealed substantial upregulation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), β-1,3-glucanase, and chitinase in mycorrhizal challenged plants. Quantitative PCR confirmed primed expression of jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) pathway genes, including lipoxygenase (LOX), allene oxide cyclase (AOC), pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR1), and NPR1. These findings indicate that R. irregularis induces systemic resistance through hormonal signaling and defense enzyme activation, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides.
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