Evaluation of the interaction of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma harzianum in the development and nutrition of potato plants (Solanum phureja)
Mónica Galindo1, Darwin Rueda1⃰, Pedro Romero1, María Medina1, Manjunatha Bangeppagari1,2, Venkata Subba Reddy Gangireddygari3, Sikandar I. Mulla4
1Department of Life Sciences, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador, South América
2Center for Biofluid & Biomimic Research, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
3College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Department of Agriculture & Animal Health, Florida Science Campus, Corner Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
4Division of Biotechnology, Chonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
Abstract
Potato is the fourth most consumed food product around the world and one of the most produced crops worldwide, due to its nutritional and culinary properties. This crop is affected by certain pests such as phytopathogenic fungi, which frequently attack roots and tubers, extracting their nutrients and decreasing their yield. Consequently, our research is focused in finding an environmentally friendly alternative to improve the nutrition of the crop and prevent the attack of pathogens that exist mostly in soils with poor conditions. One of the ways to reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides, is the application of beneficial microorganisms, among them fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma harzianum. fungi create symbiosis with the plant and improve mineral absorption with a significant efficiency. Trichoderma harzianum is an effective biological control agent, it induces the defensive response of plants and stimulates plant growing. This investigation evaluated the interaction between Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma harzianum the development and nutrition of potato plants (Solanum phureja), showing increasing leaf area, biomass (total, aerial and root) and root length in plants inoculated with each of the microorganisms compared to the plants without inoculation (control treatments) and chemical fertilizer applied plants. Namely, the presence of AMF, Trichoderma harzianum and the variation of concentrations of peat at 30% and 50% improved the development, growth and nutrition of potato plants.
