title: Trichoderma harzianumT-22 Induces Systemic Resistance in Tomato Infected byCucumber mosaic virus.
abstract: Understanding the induction of plant defenses against viruses using biocontrol agents is essential for developing new strategies against these pathogens, given the ineffectiveness of chemical treatments. The ability ofTrichoderma harzianum, strain T-22 (T22) to controlCucumber mosaic virus(CMV) inSolanum lycopersicumvar.cerasiformeplants and the changes in the physiology of tomato treated/infected with T22/CMV were examined. Plant growth-promoting effects, photosynthetic performance, reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes, and phytohormones were investigated. T22 improved tomato growth in terms of plant height and improved photosynthesis, total chlorophyll content and plant gas exchange. In contrast, CMV induced a negative effect on dry matter accumulation and inhibited the photosynthetic capacity. The analysis of plant hormones demonstrated that treating with T22 before or simultaneously to CMV infection, led to a systemic resistance by jasmonic acid/ethylene and salicylic acid signaling pathways. Conversely, systemic resistance was abscissic acid-dependent when T22 treatment was administered after the CMV infection. In conclusion, the data reported here indicate that the T22-based strategy may be the most effective measure against CMV.
authors: School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Potenza Italy.
authors: Antonella
authors: A
authors: Vitti
authors: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa Italy.
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Pellegrini
authors: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa Italy.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Nali
authors: School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Potenza Italy.
authors: Stella
authors: S
authors: Lovelli
authors: School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Potenza Italy.
authors: Adriano
authors: A
authors: Sofo
authors: School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Potenza Italy.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Valerio
authors: School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Potenza Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Scopa
authors: School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Potenza Italy.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Nuzzaci
keywords: Cucumber mosaic virus; Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme; Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22; disease control; host-pathogen-antagonist interaction; photosynthetic performance; phytohormones; reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes