Effect of Four Mycorrhizal Products on Fusarium Root Rot on Different Vegetable Crops

Abstract

Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAM) are symbiotic fungi which interact with the root system of higher plants by producing external and internal hyphae, vesicules and arbuscules. This study aimed to determine the efficiency of different vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in improving plant resistance against Fusarium oxysporum. Four mycorrhizal products; Bacto_Prof, Endomyk_Basic, Endomyk_Conc and Endomyk_Prof were used. Glomus intraradices was the mycorrhizal fungus. All products reduced Fusarium infection by increasing the plant height and reducing the root infection. Bacto_Prof was the best product in the presence of Fusarium infection of tomato plants which showed an increase in plant height up to 44% and 154% in plant fresh root weight (FRW). Fusarium was reduced by 50% in Bacto_Prof treated tomato plants and mycorrhizal colonization was enhanced from 31% to 42% in Fusarium infected tomato seedlings. In pepper experiment; Endomyk_Basic was the best product in all treatments which enhanced mycorrhizal root colonization from 56% to 68%. Fusarium infection was suppressed in pepper treated plants with Endomyk. Basic from 2.45% to 1.5%. Mycorrhizal colonization with all products was enhanced by the presence of Fusarium more than in non-infected plants. In squash experiment Endomyk_Basic was the best product, but in root colonization Endomyk_Conc performed the best form 52% to 64%. From the results of this study, it was concluded that all mycorrhizal products were significantly inhibited Fusarium infection by enhanced and increased mycorrhizal root colonization, so enhanced plant growth and increased root volume.