| Abstract | Aims The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of the interactions between the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae (Gm) and Fusarium equiseti GF18-3 on cucumber growth and the biocontrol of the yellow strain of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV-Y).
Methods Cucumber plants were pre-inoculated with Gm and GF18-3 for 4 weeks before the leaves were inoculated with CMV. CMV accumulation in cucumber leaves was determined using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 1, 2, and 3 weeks post inoculation (WPI). An RT-PCR analysis was performed to evaluate the expression levels of defence-related genes.
Results The co-inoculation of cucumber plants with Gm and GF18-3 or GF18-3 alone resulted in effective control of CMV disease severity, though no significant reduction was observed in the Gm-alone treatment. CMV accumulation was significantly decreased in cucumber
plants treated with combined inoculation or with GF18-3 alone at 1, 2, and 3 WPI. The RT-PCR results revealed higher expression levels of SA inducible genes in all treatments, while only Gm treatment
of plants induced JA-inducible genes.
Conclusion The dual inoculation treatment and inoculation with GF18-3 alone have the potential to reduce disease severity and increase plant growth. Moreover, modulation of plant defence responses in the shoots may contribute to this protection. |