Abstract
The beneficial role of fungi from the Trichoderma genus and its secondary metabolites in promoting plant growth, uptake and use efficiency of macronutrients and oligo/micro-nutrients, activation of plant secondary metabolism and plant protection from diseases makes it interesting for application in environmentally friendly agriculture. However, the literature data on the effect of Trichoderma inoculation on tomato fruit quality is scarce. Commercially used tomato cultivars were chosen in combination with indigenous Trichodrema species previously characterized on molecular and biochemical level, to investigate the effect of Trichoderma on photosynthetic characteristics and fruit quality of plants grown in organic system of production. Examined cultivars differed in the majority of examined parameters. Response of cultivar Gružanski zlatni to Trichoderma application was more significant. As a consequence of increased epidermal flavonols and decreased chlorophyll, the nitrogen balance index in leaves has decreased, indicating a shift from primary to secondary metabolism. The quality of its fruit was altered in the sense of increased total flavonoids content, decreased starch, increased Bioaccumulation Index (BI) for Fe and Cr, and decreased BI for heavy metals Ni and Pb. Higher expression of swolenin gene in tomato roots of more responsive tomato cultivar indicates better root colonization, which correlates with observed positive effects of Trichodrema.
Highlights
One of the main goals of modern sustainable agriculture is to support raising demands for food and energy of a growing world population but at the same time to maintain soil health and fertility
Used tomato cultivars were chosen in combination with indigenous Trichodrema species previously characterized on molecular and biochemical level, to investigate the effect of Trichoderma on photosynthetic characteristics and fruit quality of plants grown in organic system of production
High activities of N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, acid phosphatase and naphtol-AS-Bioaccumulation Index (BI)-phosphohydrolase were observed, while low activities were determined for alkaline phosphatase, esterase C4, esterase lipase C8
Summary
One of the main goals of modern sustainable agriculture is to support raising demands for food and energy of a growing world population but at the same time to maintain soil health and fertility. With a production of about 180 million tons in 2017 (FAOSTAT), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important cultivated vegetable in the world. Tomato fruit is a source of vitamins, carotenoids, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds and nutrients which are of vital role in human diet. Among many phenolic compounds in tomato fruit, flavonoids are contributing to its anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, anti-diabetes and cardiovascular protective effects [2]. Carbohydrate content in tomato fruit is considered to be strongly related to fruit yield and quality, as it has important role in fruit growth, composition and ripening [3]. Containing only about 4% of carbohydrate, it is considered as non-starchy vegetable and advised to be used in weight-loss diets [4]
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