Abstract
Fungi of the genus Trichoderma produce secondary metabolites having several biological activities that affect plant metabolism. We examined the effect of three Trichoderma bioactive metabolites (BAMs), namely, 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6PP), harzianic acid (HA), and hydrophobin 1 (HYTLO1), on yield, fruit quality, and protein representation of strawberry plants. In particular, 6PP and HA increased the plant yield and number of fruits, when compared to control, while HYTLO1 promoted the growth of the roots and increased the total soluble solids content up to 19% and the accumulation of ascorbic acid and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside in red ripened fruits. Proteomic analysis showed that BAMs influenced the representation of proteins associated with the protein metabolism, response to stress/external stimuli, vesicle trafficking, carbon/energy, and secondary metabolism. Results suggest that the application of Trichoderma BAMs affects strawberry plant productivity and fruit quality and integrate previous observations on deregulated molecular processes in roots and leaves of Trichoderma-treated plants with original data on fruits.
Highlights
This study investigated the effect of three bioactive metabolites (BAMs) from Trichoderma, that is, harzianic acid (HA), 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6PP), and the hydrophobin (HYTLO1), on strawberry plants by evaluating the quantitative agronomic plant characteristics and the qualitative nutritional properties of the corresponding fruits, related to antioxidant compounds producing healthy effects to consumers.[6,47−50] Differential proteomic analysis allowed the determination of the variable proteins related to the biosynthesis of these beneficial compounds produced by the fruits following BAM treatments
All three Trichoderma metabolites had an effect on strawberry plant growth and productivity, but the results were not equivalent among the compounds, and in many cases the outcomes were contrasting for the measured biometric parameters
HYTLO1 determined in treated plants an increase in root length (RL) (+15% compared to CTRL), root fresh weight (RFW) (+15%), and root dry weight (RDW) (+19%) (Table 1)
Summary
Studies have indicated that the application of beneficial microorganisms in crop production systems can have positive effects on plant disease control and plant growth, yield, and food quality.[12−15] Fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma are successful biocontrol agents (BCAs), marketed for their biopesticide and plant biostimulant activities. 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009, Concerning the Placing of Plant Protection Products on the Market and Repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC Latest consolidated version: 15/07/2019].17. These Trichoderma biological products are permitted in organic farming and recommended for use in the cultivation of agrifood or medicinal plants The recent changes in European policy clearly promote more sustainable agriculture practices to reduce the risks to human and environmental health [see Regulation (EC) no. 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009, Concerning the Placing of Plant Protection Products on the Market and Repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC Latest consolidated version: 15/07/2019].17 these Trichoderma biological products are permitted in organic farming and recommended for use in the cultivation of agrifood or medicinal plants
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