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Effect of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai and mycorrhizal fungi on total phenolics, peroxidase and glycoalkaloids in Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. infected tomato plants

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Pathogenicity tests of Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. isolates on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) demonstrated a significant capacity to induce seed rot and seedling damping-off under greenhouse conditions. The most virulent isolate, confirmed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), was selected for further study. Inoculation with Trichoderma harzianum and mycorrhizal fungi substantially enhanced the total phenolic content and peroxidase (POX) enzyme activity in F. oxysporum-infected plants. Furthermore, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that these biological control agents significantly boosted the biosynthesis of key secondary metabolites, specifically the glycoalkaloids (GAs) α-tomatine, tomatidine and solanine. The interaction between F. oxysporum and T. harzianum resulted in the highest accumulation of these defense-related compounds compared to plants infected with the pathogen alone. These findings suggest that T. harzianum and mycorrhizal fungi activate the plant’s systemic resistance by modulating physiological and biochemical defense mechanisms against Fusarium wilt.

Source: Plant Science Today

DOI: 10.14719/pst.13308

Authors: Abdulatef Abdulhussein Altamemi Rusul, A M Al-Tememe Zeinab, Mougou Amira

Institutions: University of Carthage, Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie, University of Kerbala

Language: English

Topic: Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7138357927

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