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Arbuscular mycorrhiza reduces susceptibility of tomato to Alternaria solani

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Abstract

Mycorrhiza frequently leads to the control of root pathogens, but appears to have the opposite effect on leaf pathogens. In this study, we studied mycorrhizal effects on the development of early blight in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) caused by the necrotrophic fungus Alternaria solani. Alternaria-induced necrosis and chlorosis of all leaves were studied in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants over time course and at different soil P levels. Mycorrhizal tomato plants had significantly less A. solani symptoms than non-mycorrhizal plants, but neither plant growth nor phosphate uptake was enhanced by mycorrhizas. An increased P supply had no effect on disease severity in non-mycorrhizal plants, but led to a higher disease severity in mycorrhizal plants. This was parallel to a P-supply-induced reduction in mycorrhiza formation. The protective effect of mycorrhizas towards development of A. solani has some parallels to induced systemic resistance, mediated by rhizobacteria: both biocontrol agents are root-associated organisms and both are effective against necrotrophic pathogens. The possible mechanisms involved are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

The work described in this paper was carried out at Risø National Laboratory, Roskilde, Denmark. We thank Anne and Anette Olsen for the excellent technical assistance. The stay in Denmark was supported by the Marie Curie Fellowship Contract No. HPMT-CT-2000-0019.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biometry and Population Genetics, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, IFZ, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Gießen, Germany

    Maendy Fritz & Jörn Pons-Kühnemann

  2. Biosystems Department, Risø National Laboratory, Roskilde, Denmark

    Iver Jakobsen & Michael Foged Lyngkjær

  3. Department of Agricultural Sciences, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Hans Thordal-Christensen

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  1. Maendy Fritz
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  2. Iver Jakobsen
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  3. Michael Foged Lyngkjær
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  4. Hans Thordal-Christensen
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  5. Jörn Pons-Kühnemann
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Correspondence to Maendy Fritz.

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Fritz, M., Jakobsen, I., Lyngkjær, M.F. et al. Arbuscular mycorrhiza reduces susceptibility of tomato to Alternaria solani . Mycorrhiza 16, 413–419 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-006-0051-z

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