Plant growth promoting fungi suppress the infection with powdery mildew in wheat plants.

INTRODUCTION

Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) is severely affected by powdery mildew in Egypt and worldwide, which is caused by the fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt).

METHODS

The effectiveness of Penicillium simplicissimum GP17-2, Fusarium equiseti GF18.3 and GF19.1, Trichoderma asperellum SKT-1, Phoma sp. GS7.3, GS8.1 and GS8.3, and Coniothyrium aleuritis GU23.3 on controlling powdery mildew was evaluated under greenhouse conditions.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The PGPF (plant growth-promoting fungi) strains showed a reduction in symptoms and disease progression. Wheat plants treated with PGPF strains showed increased activities of catalase and peroxidase enzymes as well as transcriptions of the PR1-PR5 and PR10 genes at 1- and 2-days post-inoculation. The results lead us to believe that PGPF strains might be a promising environmentally friendly method to enhance plant growth and control wheat powdery mildew.