Abstract
The main objective of this study was to determine the capacity of Trichoderma aggressivum f. europaeum to promote pepper and tomato seedling growth compared to that of T. saturnisporum, a species recently characterised as a biostimulant. Consequently, in vitro seed germination and seedling growth tests were performed under commercial plant nursery conditions. Additionally, the effects of different doses and a mixture of both species on seedling growth under plant nursery and subsequently under greenhouse conditions were determined. Furthermore, mass production of spores was determined in different substrates, and their siderophore and indole acetic acid production and phosphate (P) solubilisation capacity were also determined. Direct application of Trichoderma aggressivum f. europaeum to seeds in vitro neither increases the percentage of pepper and tomato seed germination nor improves their vigour index. However, substrate irrigation using different doses under commercial plant nursery conditions increases the quality of tomato and pepper seedlings. Tomato roots increased by 66.66% at doses of 106 spores per plant. Applying T. aggressivum f. europaeum or T. saturnisporum under plant nursery conditions added value to seedlings because their growth-promoting effect is maintained under greenhouse conditions up to three months after transplantation. The combined application of the two species had no beneficial effect in relation to that of the control. The present study demonstrates the biostimulant capacity of T. aggressivum f. europaeum in pepper and tomato plants under commercial plant nursery and greenhouse conditions.
Highlights
The success of applying Trichoderma in agriculture results from the multiple benefits that it generates in plants
The plant growth-promoting capacity of a new species, T. aggressivum f. europaeum, which is characterised by its rapid growth and sporulation, was analysed and compared to that of T. saturnisporum, a species characterised as a plant-growth promoter by Diánez et al [16,18]
Our results indicate that T. aggressivum f. europaeum (TA) and Trichoderma saturnisporum Ca1606 (TS) produce much higher amounts of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) than those assessed by other authors
Summary
The success of applying Trichoderma in agriculture results from the multiple benefits that it generates in plants. Trichoderma exhibits high efficiency in the promotion of nutrient uptake [4], the capacity to modify the rhizosphere and root structure in which the fungus is established [5,6], high aggressiveness against plant pathogenic fungi, efficiency in the promotion of plant growth [7,8,9,10,11,12], and the ability to induce plant defence mechanisms, among many additional benefits [8,9,13]. The properties of Trichoderma have generated considerable research interest in these fungi for use in agriculture, and a large number of commercial products have been developed using different Trichoderma species [10,14]. Many formulations contain mixtures of different species that provide a wider range of direct and indirect beneficial effects for the plants.
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