Premium
Trichoderma harzianum T‐78 supplementation of compost stimulates the antioxidant defence system in melon plants
Author(s) -
BernalVicente Agustina,
Pascual José A,
Tittarelli Fabio,
Hernández José A,
DiazVivancos Pedro
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.6936
Subject(s) - trichoderma harzianum , trichoderma , compost , melon , biology , antioxidant , ascorbic acid , horticulture , inoculation , glutathione reductase , food science , biological pest control , botany , agronomy , catalase , biochemistry , glutathione peroxidase
BACKGROUND Compost is emerging as an alternative plant growing medium in efforts to achieve more sustainable agriculture. The addition of specific microorganisms such as Trichoderma harzianum to plant growth substrates increases yields and reduces plant diseases, but the mechanisms of such biostimulants and the biocontrol effects are not yet fully understood. In this work we investigated how the addition of citrus and vineyard composts, either alone or in combination with T. harzianum T‐78, affects the antioxidant defence system in melon plants under nursery conditions. RESULTS Compost application and/or Trichoderma inoculation modulated the antioxidant defence system in melon plants. The combination of citrus compost and Trichoderma showed a biostimulant effect that correlated with an increase in ascorbate recycling enzymes (monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase) and peroxidase. Moreover, the inoculation of both composts with Trichoderma increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, especially those involved in ascorbate recycling. CONCLUSION Based on the long‐established relationship between ascorbic acid and plant defence responses as well as plant growth and development, it can be suggested that ascorbate recycling activities play a major role in the protection provided by Trichoderma and its biostimulant effect and that these outcomes are linked to increases in antioxidant enzymes. We can conclude that the combination of citrus compost and T. harzianum T‐78 constitutes a viable, environmentally friendly strategy for improving melon plant production. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry