Effects of Trichoderma spp. on gene expression in tomato plants under drought conditions
Year: 2025
Type: book-review
Abstract: Trichoderma spp. are cosmopolitan filamentous fungi that inhabit soil and the rhizosphere. These opportunistic and avirulent plant symbionts are characterized by rapid multiplication and efficient substrate colonization (1). During the Trichoderma-plant interaction, fungi can significantly enhance nutrient absorption, promote growth, and improve tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses (2, 3). In this research, the adaptive responses of tomato plants (cv. Gružanski zlatni) to progressive drought with addition of T. harzianum and T. brevicopmactum to the rhizosphere were studied. Plants were grown in pots under controlled conditions of the plant phenotyping platform at SUA in Nitra, Slovakia. The expressions of PR1b1 (salicylic acid related), PINII (jasmonic acid related), TPX1 (lignin and suberin related), FLS (flavonoids related), SlJAF13 (anthocyanins related) and C3H (caffeic and chlorogenic acid related) as well as NCED1 (ABA related) were examined by quantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase reaction (qRT-PCR). All treatments in which Trichoderma was applied demonstrated the activation of the jasmonic acid signalling pathway, as indicated by the expression of the PinII gene. The salicylic acid signalling pathway was activated only in plants exposed to drought in the treatment with T. harzianum, as indicated by the expression of the PR1b1 gene. These changes indicate that Trichoderma treatment promotes a better potential of plants for resistance to biotic stresses. The increased expression of the NCED1 and SlJAF13 genes indicate that both Trichoderma strains might influence the accumulation of ABA and anthocyanin content in all treatments, indicating enhanced potential for plant resistance to abiotic stresses. The increased expression of the C3H gene indicates an increased content of caffeic and chlorogenic acid, which was detected in tomato leaves in optimally watered plants in the presence of T. harzianum as well as in the drought treatment in the presence of T. brevicompactum. These observed changes in the plants indicate they are more resistant to biotic stress and transport nutrients and water more efficiently.
Authors: Vukelić, Igor, Zivcak, Marek, Kovar, Marek, Radić, Danka, Racić, Gordana, Brestic, Marian, Dejana, Pankovic
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7112518506