Trichoderma mediated seed biopriming augments antioxidant and phenylpropanoid activities in tomato plant against Sclerotium rolfsii

Abstract

Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. is the most destructive soilborne fungal pathogen causing collar rot disease in tomato crop. For management of collar rot disease several chemical fungicides are using that cause hazardous impacts on agroecosystem as well as human health. In the present study, Trichoderma spp. are used for management of collar rot disease in tomato plants. Four Trichoderma strains namely T. pseudokoningii BHUR2, T. harzianum BHUP4, T. viride BHUV2, T. longibrachiatum BHUR5 were applied by seed biopriming method. Bioprimed seeds were sown in earthen pots filled with sterilized soil and S. rolfsii inoculation was given after 25 days of sowing. Tomato plants primed with Trichoderma pseudokoningii BHUR2 were found healthier as compared to other bioprimed plants upon challenged with S. rolfsii. T. pseudokoningii BHUR2 primed tomato plants augmented anti-oxidative enzymes activity including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidaes (POx), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and total phenol content (TPC) in response to defense mechanism against S. rolfsii infection. The application of T. pseudokoningii BHUR2 is an ecofriendly approach to manage collar rot disease in tomato plants.