Context-dependent effects of trichoderma seed inoculation on anthracnose disease and seed yield of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): Ambient conditions override cultivar-specific differences

Karina Gutiérrez-Moreno, Michelina Ruocco, Maurilia Maria Monti, Octavio Martínez de la Vega, Martin Heil

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Root colonizing Trichoderma fungi can stimulate plant immunity, but net effects are strain × cultivar-specific and changing ambient conditions further contribute to variable outcomes. Here, we used four Trichoderma spp. to inoculate seeds of four common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultivars and explored in three different experimental setups the effects on fungal anthracnose after leaf inoculation with Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Plants growing in pots with field soil under greenhouse conditions exhibited the highest and those in the open field the lowest overall levels of disease. Among 48 Trichoderma strain × bean cultivar × setup combinations, Trichoderma-inoculation enhanced disease in six and decreased disease in ten cases, but with the exception of T. asperellum B6-inoculated Negro San Luis beans, the strain × cultivar-specific effects on anthracnose severity differed among the setups, and anthracnose severity did not predict seed yield in the open field. In the case of Flor de Mayo beans, Trichoderma even reduced yield in anthracnose-free field plots, although this effect was counterbalanced in anthracnose-infected plots. We consider our work as a case study that calls for stronger emphasis on field experiments in the early phases of screenings of Trichoderma inoculants as plant biostimulants.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1739
JournalPlants
Volume10
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biocontrol
  • Common bean
  • Dry bean
  • Fungus-plant interaction
  • Plant disease
  • Trichoderma asperellum B6
  • Trichoderma atroviride P1
  • Trichoderma harzianum T22
  • Trichoderma longibrachiatum MK1

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