Biocontrol of eyespot disease on two winter wheat cultivars by an anecic earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris)

Abstract

trol of eyespot disease on two winter wheat cultivars by an anecic earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris). Applied Soil Ecology, Elsevier, 2015Elsevier, , 96, pp.33 -41. <10.1016Elsevier, /j.apsoil.2015 Eyespot is a major fungal disease of winter wheat, mostly affecting the base of the stem. The development of biological control approaches, using organisms such as earthworms, represents a potential alternative strategy for eyespot control. In a greenhouse experiment, we analyzed the response of two wheat cultivars (Soissons and Aubusson) to the presence of the pathogenic fungus Oculimacula yallundae and the anecic earthworm Lumbricus terrestris, alone and in combination. We assessed necrosis frequency, necrosis severity, wheat biomass, resource allocation and soil mineral concentrations. Disease incidence was lower in the presence of earthworms: the frequency of necrosis was 44% lower for Soissons and 70% lower for Aubusson. Necrosis severity was also lower for both cultivars (50% lower for Soissons and 80% lower for Aubusson) in the presence of earthworms. Earthworms had no detectable effect on the shoot and root biomasses of plants exposed to the fungus, but they modified resource allocation between plant organs and nutrient translocation within the plant. Our results suggest that earthworms are a potentially effective biocontrol agent for eyespot, and we discuss the possible underlying mechanisms.

Vermicompost significantly affects plant growth. A meta-analysis

“…These elements should be provided. It would also be very interesting to have more data on the effect of vermicompost when plants are exposed to pathogens or parasites, since biocontrol (Puga-Freitas et al 2016) or induction of systemic resistance in the presence of earthworms (Blouin et al 2005;Bertrand et al 2015b) or vermicompost (Chaoui et al 2002;Arancon et al 2005Arancon et al , 2007Edwards et al 2010a) have been reported in the literature.…”

Community Structure of Lumbricidae in Permanent Grassland and Arable Land

“…Lumbricidae contribute to the development of specific soil properties by improving its structure and increasing the field capacity [Zangerlé et al 2011, Schon et al 2017]. They also influence the dynamics of the organic matter [Fonte et al 2009, 2010, Amosse et al 2015] by delivering and retaining nutrients necessary for the growth and development of plants [van Groenigen et al 2014, Manono 2016 as well as by regulating the size of pest populations [Bertrand et al 2015]. Therefore, the activity of Lumbricidae in the soil environment has a positive influence on the production of food crops, energy crops, and fibre crops.…”

Assessment of Relationships between Earthworms and Soil Abiotic and Biotic Factors as a Tool in Sustainable Agricultural

“…[19]. Several studies have shown that earthworm abundance and diversity are reduced in agricultural fields, compared to uncropped soils [4]. Significant loss of soil faunal biodiversity or species richness has been found to accompany conventional agricultural systems based on intensive cultivation, high fertilizer inputs and crop monoculture.…”

“…As such, they influence soil chemical, biological, and physical processes [3] or contribute to biological control [4], food web dynamics and soil processes [5,6]. Among numerous macro-invertebrates in the soil, earthworms are the most important components of soil biota in terms of soil formation and maintenance of soil structure and fertility [7].…”