Biological control of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahliae induced wilt in tomato plants

Abstract Background Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma harzianum are effective bioagents against Fusarium oxysporum Verticillium dahliae in tomato plants. The objective of the research was to evaluate vivo antagonistic activity AMF T. wilt by enhancing growth resistance A completely randomized experimental design used, consisting twelve treatments with nine replicates for each treatment. included combinations inoculation, infection or non-infection F. V. dahliae, while also considering individual combined treatments. Mycorrhization rates, parameters, disease severity, progression, impact on mitigation were evaluated. Results study revealed superiority over , resulting a significant enhancement overall extent colonization plants co-inoculated . Moreover, + consortium contributed improvement among all infected Both significantly reduced progression wilt, reductions 45.14 44.91%, respectively, than untreated (initial severity 75.54%). demonstrated greater efficacy reducing infection, reduction 34.45% compared 28.26% AMF, starting from an initial 69.85%. Thus, effectiveness controlling disease, particularly wilt. Conclusion target application control methods both mitigating Furthermore, higher level These findings emphasize potential as sustainable alternatives agriculture, providing viable option decrease dependence fungicides.