Physiological Responses of Pinus sylvestris var. Mongolica Seedlings to the Interaction Between Suillus luteus and Trichoderma virens

Abstract

The effects of the interaction between Suillus luteus (L.) Roussel and Trichoderma virens (J.H. Mill., Giddens & A.A. Foster) Arx on Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv. were studied using plant physiology, mycorrhizal science, forest pathology, and biochemistry. Seedling growth and physiological parameters were determined, including the colonization rate of mycorrhizal fungi, biomass, root activity, photosynthetic pigment content, soluble protein content, antioxidant enzyme activities, rhizosphere soil enzyme activities, and protective enzyme activities. In addition, an optimal resistance system involving T. virens, mycorrhizal fungus (S. luteus), and P. sylvestris var. mongolica seedlings was constructed. Synergies between S. luteus and T. virens were observed, and most of the parameters of P. sylvestris var. mongolica seedlings inoculated with S. luteus 30 days + T. virens were higher than other treatments. After three months, when compared the control, the S. luteus 30 days + T. virens treatment gave increases in height (42.3 %); collar diameter (66.7 %); fresh weight (54 %); dry weight (50 %); soluble protein content (69.86 %); root activity (150 %); chlorophyll a (77.6 %); chlorophyll b (70.5 %); carotenoids (144 %); CAT activity (876.9 %); POD activity (268.3 %); SOD activity (66.18 %); β-1,3-glucanase activity (125.8 %); chitinase activity (40 %); rhizosphere soil catalase activity (97.8 %); and phosphatase activity (266.7 %). These results indicate that there may be a stimulating factor between S. luteus and T. virens when they are inoculated together (S. luteus 30 days + T. virens).

Synergistic effects between Suilllus luteus and Trichoderma virens on growth of Korean spruce seedlings and drought resistance of Scotch pine seedlings

“…Both strains used in this study are deposited at Northeast Forestry University in Harbin, China. Fungal inoculum and inoculation of seedlings were prepared as by Yin et al (2014). Seeds of two trees species were surface sterilized with potassium permanganate (0.5 %, v/v) for 30 min, then washed three times with sterile distilled water.…”

“…mongolica seedlings (1-yearold). Previously, we found inoculating seedlings first with S. luteus, followed 30 days later with T. virens increased b-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities, resistance indices for the seedlings (Yin et al 2014). …”

“…are important biological control agents and beneficial to plants (Yin et al 2014). Many studies showed that Trichoderma strains can also colonize the rhizosphere to form symbionts, changing plant metabolism and promoting plant growth by increasing nutrient absorption and utilization efficiency (Yin et al 2014). However, most of these studies have focused on crops; very few are on forest tree seedlings (Yedidia et al 2001;Harman et al 2004;Zadworny et al 2004;Kohler and Caravaca 2007).…”

“…However, no research has been published on the interactions between ECMF and Trichoderma spp. to improve seedling growth and stress resistance or on a synergistic effect between these two fungal species aside from our research (Yin et al 2014) on the relationship between Trichoderma virens and Suillus luteus and their effects on growth and physiology of seedlings of P. sylvestris var. mongolica seedlings.…”

“…are important biological control agents and beneficial to plants (Yin et al 2014). Many studies showed that Trichoderma strains can also colonize the rhizosphere to form symbionts, changing plant metabolism and promoting plant growth by increasing nutrient absorption and utilization efficiency (Yin et al 2014).…”