Systemic Resistance Induced by Trichoderma spp.: Interactions Between the Host, the Pathogen, the Biocontrol Agent, and Soil Organic Matter Quality
Hoitink. H. A. J Madden. L. V Dorrance. A. E
Phytopathology ; 2006 [Vol.96] Pages:186-189
Abstract
Several factors affect the ability of Trichoderma spp. to provide
systemic disease control. This paper focuses on the role of the substrate in
which plants are grown, resistance of the host to disease, and the ability
of introduced Trichoderma inoculum to spread under commercial
conditions. Several reports reveal that foliar disease control provided by
Trichoderma spp. is more effective on plants grown in compost-amended
media compared with in lower-in-microbial-carrying-capacity sphagnum peat media. In Rhododendron spp., host resistance affects control of
Phytophthora dieback provided by Trichoderma spp. For example,
T. hamatum 382 (T382) significantly (P = 0.05) suppressed the disease on
susceptible cv. Roseum Elegans while plant vigor was increased. The disease was not suppressed, however, on highly susceptible cvs. Aglo and PJM Elite even though the vigor of these plants was increased. Using a strain-specific polymerase chain reaction assay under commercial conditions, it was demonstrated that introduced inoculum of T382 did not spread frequently from inoculated to control compost-amended media. Other Trichoderma isolates typically are abundant in control media within days after potting unless inoculated with a specific Trichoderma isolate. Thus, the low population of isolates that can induce systemic resistance in composting and potting mix environments may explain why most compost-amended substrates do not naturally suppress foliar diseases.
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