Abdelhak Rhouma1, Lobna Hajji-Hedfi1,*, Nahla Alsayd Bouqellah2,*, Pravin Babasaheb Khaire3, Samar Dali1, Omaima Bargougui1, Amira Khlif1, Laith Khalil Tawfeeq Al-Ani4
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 2857-2881, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057591
- 30 November 2024
Abstract Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium spp. are entomopathogenic fungi with potential applications beyond insect pest control, including plant disease suppression, plant growth promotion, and rhizosphere colonization. This study investigated the plant growth-promoting characteristics and extracellular enzyme activities of Metarhizium spp. and B. bassiana in relation to phytopathogen interactions and plant growth. Additionally, the efficacy of these fungi in mitigating damping-off and root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani on cucumber plants was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results indicate that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae produce indole-3-acetic acid, hydrocyanic acid, and hydrolytic enzymes. Seed treatment with these fungi significantly reduced disease severity (3.85%–1.86%, respectively)… More >