Abstract

Leaf spot, caused by Corynespora cassiicola and Curvularia aeria, is a major disease of lettuce that results in the reduction of the quality and the quantity of lettuce production. Primary in vitro examination revealed that Trichoderma sp. T1 inhibited the mycelial growth of C. cassiicola and C. aeria by 83.79% and 85.71%, respectively, in dual culture assays. Gel diffusion showed cell-free culture filtrate of Trichoderma sp. T1 inhibited C. cassiicola and C. aeria by 50.38% and 53.97%, respectively. Based on the ITS gene sequence, an effective T1 isolate was identified as Trichoderma asperellum. Treatments of lettuce plants with spore suspension of T. asperellum T1 induced defense-related enzymes such as peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase, and the cell wall degrading enzymes β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase in the plants. The activities of β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were higher at 24 and 48 h after treatment with spore suspension of T. asperellum T1 than in the control group. Crude extract from inoculated lettuce caused morphology changes in fungal mycelia. In addition, reduction of disease severity was observed in lettuce pretreated with T. asperellum T1. The obtained results suggest that T. asperellum T1 efficiently controlled leaf spot and induced defense responses in lettuce.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.