Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):173-181 | DOI: 10.17221/126/2023-HORTSCI

Effect of Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium oxysporum in resistant and susceptible tomato cultivarsOriginal Paper

Patcharaporn Suwor¹, Manthana Mueangkhong¹, Praphat Kawicha^2,3, Thanwanit Thanyasiriwat^2,3, Suchila Techawongstien⁴, Sanjeet Kumar⁵, Wen-Shi Tsai⁶, Somsak Kramchote¹

¹ School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand

² Plant Genome and Disease Research Unit, Department of Agriculture and Resources, Faculty of Natural Resources and Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand

³ Center of Excellence on Agricultural Biotechnology, Science and Technology Postgraduate Education and Research Development Office, Office of Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education, Thailand

⁴ Department of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

⁵ Plant Geneticist and Breeder (Independent), Gopal Kunj, Varanasi, India

⁶ Department of Plant Medicine, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, Taiwan

Fusarium wilt disease presents a substantial challenge to tomato production, especially in an open field environment. The peroxidase (POD) activity and total phenolic compounds (TPCs) play a crucial role in measuring the antioxidant capacity of plants. Understanding the variations in the POD and TPC levels during disease-induced stress becomes important for effectively managing Fusarium wilt and enhancing tomato production. This study investigates the impacts of Trichoderma harzianum inoculation through the root drip method on five tomato cultivars. It compares these cultivars to their non-treated counterparts when they are subjected to infection by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol). The results showed that the level of resistance to Fol is based on the specific tomato cultivar. Notably, ‘MT26’ exhibited the lowest disease severity index (DSI), indicating a strong response, whereas ‘CLN3682F’ showed notable susceptibility. Regarding the POD and TPC activity, its exhibition differed in compatibility with the response of each tomato cultivar to Fusarium wilt disease. The resistant cultivars increased the POD activity after the Trichoderma induction before the Fol inoculation, and this activity was further boosted when exposed to disease conditions. Consequently, enhancing the POD and TPC levels during the initial stages could potentially serve as a systemic defence mechanism of tomatoes against the Fusarium wilt disease.

Keywords: breeding for resistance; fungi; protection; tomato resistant source

Received: October 19, 2023; Revised: November 27, 2024; Accepted: January 9, 2025; Prepublished online: June 20, 2025; Published: June 26, 2025  Show citation