Response of tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>L.) to nursery inoculation with<i>Trichoderma harzianum</i>and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under field conditions

Abstract

The effect of nursery inoculation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) with Trichoderma&#13;\nharzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus mosseae on fungal root&#13;\ncolonization, plant growth, yield and quality of field grown tomato was investigated. The four&#13;\ntreatments included T. harzianum, AMF, T. harzianum + AMF, and uninoculated control. At&#13;\nmid-harvest, 84 days after transplanting, no interactive effect of the fungi on the external&#13;\nmycelium growth was observed. Inoculation with AMF alone or in combination with T.&#13;\nharzianum increased dry shoot weight by 35% and 30%, respectively, during the first season,&#13;\nand by 30% and 21%, respectively, during the second growing season. Trichoderma harzianum&#13;\nincreased the percentage of large fruit by 76% in 2008–2009, whereas AMF increased the&#13;\npercentage of extra-large fruit by 44% in 2009–2010. Similarly, AMF increased total soluble&#13;\nsolids by 10%. Inoculated tomato seedlings with T. harzianum and/or AMF significantly&#13;\nincreased early yield of tomato, by 10%, 65% and 70%, respectively, during 2008–2009, and by 27%, 36% and 37%, respectively during the 2009–2010 growing season. In conclusion, results of&#13;\nthe study suggested that T. harzianum and AMF have the potential to improve growth, early&#13;\nyield and fruit quality of field-grown tomato.