Biological Control of Three Fungal Diseases in Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Abstract

Similar to many other plant-based products, strawberries are susceptible to fungal diseases caused by various pathogen groups. In recent years, efforts have been made to combat these diseases using biological control methods, particularly the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). This study aimed to determine the effects of AMF (Funneliformis mosseae (Fm) and Gigaspora margarita (Gm)) on Rhizoctonia fragariae (Rf), Fusarium oxysporum (Fo), and Alternaria alternata (Aa), which are major pathogens for strawberry. The results showed that the effects of AMF on disease severity and plant growth varied depending on the pathogens involved. Rf caused the highest disease severity, followed by Fo and Aa, but all AMF treatments significantly reduced the disease severity compared to control treatments. The study also found that the specific AMF species and their combinations influenced plant growth responses under different pathogenic conditions. Different AMF treatments resulted in varying increases in plant fresh weight, dry weight, and length, depending on the pathogen. Moreover, the application of AMF led to increased levels of total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and phosphorus content in pathogen-infected plants compared to control treatments. Fm was more efficient than Gm in increasing these biochemical parameters. The levels of root colonization by AMF were similar among different AMF treatments, but the effects on fungal spore density varied depending on the pathogen. Some AMF treatments increased fungal spore density, while others did not show significant differences. In conclusion, our research sheds light on the differential effects of AMF species on disease severity, plant growth, and biochemical parameters in strawberry plants facing diverse pathogens. These findings underscore the potential benefits of AMF in disease management, as they reduce disease severity and bolster plant growth and defense mechanisms.