Soil and plant environment is characterized by a wide range of microorganisms able to interact with host plants and, in some cases, to differentially induce susceptibility or resistance to pathogens. Plant viruses cause chlorosis and necrosis, so decreasing plant growth and productivity. Differently, many fungi are able to trigger a beneficial relationship with plants. Trichoderma spp. are endophytic symbionts able to modify plants metabolism, increasing nutrient uptake by plants and photosynthetic efficiency, and protecting them from pathogens. A biopolymer able to elicit plant-immunity is chitosan, derived by the deacetylation of chitin, a component of some fungal cell walls. Chitosan improves the host hypersensitive response by the expression of pathogenesis-related proteins and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Trichoderma harzianum T-22 (T22) induces defense responses against Cucumber mosaic virus Fny (CMV) in Solanum lycopersicum. On this basis, the aim of this work was to determine if the combination T22-chitosan has an antiviral activity against CMV in tomato plants. Plant physiological parameters (gas exchange, chlorophyll content and fluorescence) were followed throughout the experiment. Furthermore, ELISA test was employed to detect CMV. Results indicate that plants treated with T22 and chitosan had a strong attenuation of viral load, a higher chlorophyll content and a better photosynthetic performance compared to the untreated plants. Further investigations are in progress to determine plant antioxidant responses. In conclusion, combined treatment based on T22 and chitosan represents a highly effective strategy against CMV, embracing the criteria of sustainable agricultural practice and public health protection.

Synergistic effect of Trichoderma and chitosan application in tomato for the control of Cucumber mosaic virus infection

VITTI, ANTONELLA;SCOPA, Antonio;NUZZACI, Maria
2016-01-01

Abstract

Soil and plant environment is characterized by a wide range of microorganisms able to interact with host plants and, in some cases, to differentially induce susceptibility or resistance to pathogens. Plant viruses cause chlorosis and necrosis, so decreasing plant growth and productivity. Differently, many fungi are able to trigger a beneficial relationship with plants. Trichoderma spp. are endophytic symbionts able to modify plants metabolism, increasing nutrient uptake by plants and photosynthetic efficiency, and protecting them from pathogens. A biopolymer able to elicit plant-immunity is chitosan, derived by the deacetylation of chitin, a component of some fungal cell walls. Chitosan improves the host hypersensitive response by the expression of pathogenesis-related proteins and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Trichoderma harzianum T-22 (T22) induces defense responses against Cucumber mosaic virus Fny (CMV) in Solanum lycopersicum. On this basis, the aim of this work was to determine if the combination T22-chitosan has an antiviral activity against CMV in tomato plants. Plant physiological parameters (gas exchange, chlorophyll content and fluorescence) were followed throughout the experiment. Furthermore, ELISA test was employed to detect CMV. Results indicate that plants treated with T22 and chitosan had a strong attenuation of viral load, a higher chlorophyll content and a better photosynthetic performance compared to the untreated plants. Further investigations are in progress to determine plant antioxidant responses. In conclusion, combined treatment based on T22 and chitosan represents a highly effective strategy against CMV, embracing the criteria of sustainable agricultural practice and public health protection.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11563/124874
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