Use of mycorrhizal fungi and compost for improving the growth and yield of tomato and its resistance to Verticillium dahliae

Abstract

The impact of soil amendment with compost and/or application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the resistance of tomato to Verticillium dahliae was evaluated. The frequency and intensity of mycorrhization decreased in V. dahliae inoculated plants. Application of compost and AMF significantly improved plant growth, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll fluorescence compared to infected and non infected controls. The combination of these biostimulants reduced the disease severity and incidence and the leaf alteration index compared to pathogen-infected control plants. Mycorrhized and compost amended soil recorded a maximum decrease in plants malonyldialdehyde accumulation in the presence of V. dahliae. The combination of compost and AMF resulted in a significant improvement of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase activities in tomato leaves and roots compared to the control treatment in the presence of the pathogen. Similarly, yield and quality of tomato fruits were significantly improved by the dual application of compost and AMF.