Interactive physiological response of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants to fungal colonization and Potato virus Y (PVY) infection

Abstract

Potato plants can be colonized by various viruses and by symbiotic, saprophytic and pathogenic fungi. However, the significance of interactions of viral infection and fungal colonization is hardly known. This work presents a model experiment in which the influence of three different types of fungal associations on the growth and physiology of the potato variety Pirol was tested individually or in combination with infection by PVY. It was hypothesized that simultaneous viral and fungal infections increase the biotic stress of the host plant, but mutualistic plant-fungal associations can mask the impact of viral infection. In the present study, a symbiotic arbsucular mycorrhizal fungus, <em>Glomus intraradices</em>, significantly stimulated the growth of plants infected with PVY. In contrast, two saprophytic <em>Trichoderma</em> spp. strains either did not influence or even inhibited the growth of PVY-infected plants. Also, inoculation of PVY-infected potato plants with a pathogenic strain of <em>Colletotrichum coccodes</em> did not inhibit the plant growth. Growth of the PVY-free potato plants was not promoted by the symbiotic fungus, whereas <em>T. viride</em>, <em>T. harzianum</em> and <em>C. coccodes</em> had an evident inhibitory effect. The strongest growth inhibition and highest concentration of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, as an indicator of biotic stress, was observed in PVY-free potato plants inoculated with <em>T. harzianum</em> and <em>C. coccodes</em> strains. Surprisingly, ultrastructural analysis of PVY-infected plant roots colonized by <em>G. intraradices</em> showed virus-like structures in the arbuscules. This pointed to the possibility of mycorrhizal-mediated transmission of virus particles and has to be further examined by testing with immunoassays and real transmission to uninfected plants. In conclusion, although mycorrhiza formation might decrease the impact of PVY infection on plants, a possible role of mycorrhizal fungi as virus vectors is discussed.