Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Leguminous and Forage Crop Diseases, Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
2
Microorganisms identification unit, Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
3
Seed Pathology Research Department, Plant Pathology Research Institute, agricultural Research center, Giza, Egypt.
Abstract
Cowpea is an important animal feedstuff in Egypt due to its high nutritional value. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), salicylic acid (SA),and di-potassium hydrogen orthophosphate anhydrous (K2HPO4; GPR) in comparison with Topsin-M70® (Thiophanate methyl) fungicide for controlling root-rot and wilt diseases in two cowpea cultivars (Giza-18 and Sids-19). Rhizoctonia solani (No. 3) and Fusarium oxysporum (No. 2) with accession No. OQ345632.1 and OQ345631.1,respectively, were the most virulent pathogens in causing seedling mortality. In vitro, Topsin-M70® showed the highest efficacy in suppressing the tested fungi, followed by K2HPO4 (10 mM) and SA (7 mM), respectively. In vivo, the highest level of protection against both diseases was observed under treatments with the fungicide, AMF and SA, respectively. Physiological assays revealed that treatment of plants with AMF, followed by the application of SA, significantly increased the activities of peroxidase (PO) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes, as well as total phenolic content (TPC), compared to untreated control plants. Overall, the application of AMF and both resistance inducers, especially salicylic acid, was operative and eco-friendly compared to fungicides in reducing the infectivity of soil-borne fungi and significantly impacting physiological and growth parameters.
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