Biofortified Vermicompost Mediated Induced Resistance Response in Tomato against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a widely cultivated and versatile fruit. Tomato production faces various constraints, both biotic and abiotic stresses. Fusarium wilt, caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, is a devastating disease that affects tomato plants worldwide, causing significant economic losses in tomato cultivation. Inthis study the potential use of biofortified vermicompost for wilt management was investigated. The biological control agents viz. Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis were used to fortified the vermicpompost. The study monitored various antioxidants, plant growth indicators, and disease rates across designated treatments at different intervals. The findings revealed substantial differences: tomato plants treated with biofortified vermicompost showed notable reductions in disease occurrence, improved growth, increased yields, and heightened antioxidant activity compared to the control. Among these treatments, the most remarkable outcomes were observed in plants treated with T. harzianum fortified vermicompost, exhibiting the highest recorded values across the parameters studied. Data revealed that the Tomato plants treated with vermicompost fortified with Trichoderma showed maximum root length (14.95 cm) after 15 days of sowing followed by T-2 (11.25 cm) and T-3 (9.85 cm). Maximum dry weight was observed in plants treated with vermicompost fortified with Trichoderma. Maximum PAL, PO and PPO activity was recorded in leaves from plant grown in vermicompost fortified with T. harzianum (T1) at 48 h followed by T2, T3 and T4. The findings revealed tomato plants treated with biofortified vermicompost showed notable reductions in disease occurrence, improved growth, increased yields, and higher accumulation of defense enzyme activity compared to the control.