Enhancing Trichoderma efficacy in managing wheat stem rust disease and boosting production through the application of certain chemical inducers

Abstract Background Wheat stem rust (WSR), caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), represents a significant threat to global wheat production. Biocontrol agents, such as Trichoderma harzianum HE22 (TH), offer sustainable strategies for managing this disease. This study evaluates the effica...

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Main Authors: Hany H. A. El-Sharkawy, Nada A. Mostafa, Safaa A. M. Yousef, Salama A. S. El-Blasy, Osama Abd El Badeea
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06434-9
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author Hany H. A. El-Sharkawy
Nada A. Mostafa
Safaa A. M. Yousef
Salama A. S. El-Blasy
Osama Abd El Badeea
author_facet Hany H. A. El-Sharkawy
Nada A. Mostafa
Safaa A. M. Yousef
Salama A. S. El-Blasy
Osama Abd El Badeea
author_sort Hany H. A. El-Sharkawy
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Wheat stem rust (WSR), caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), represents a significant threat to global wheat production. Biocontrol agents, such as Trichoderma harzianum HE22 (TH), offer sustainable strategies for managing this disease. This study evaluates the efficacy of TH cultured in potato dextrose broth (PDB) supplemented with various chemical inducers (TSDCIS), including potassium tartrate (T1), a mixture of micronutrients (T2), and thiamine (T3). These treatments were compared to unmodified TH (T4) to evaluate their potential in controlling WSR at both the seedling stage and under field conditions, with the primary objective of enhancing disease management while improving wheat yield and quality. Results Under both greenhouse and field conditions, T1 significantly reduced disease severity by 86.2% and 77.7%, respectively, and decreased the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) by 77.5% compared to the untreated control. T1 also extended the incubation and latent periods, reduced pustule density, and mitigated oxidative damage. Biochemical analyses revealed elevated levels of total phenols and enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), along with increased concentrations of ascorbic acid and proline. Additionally, T1 reduced lipid peroxidation, lowered H₂O₂ concentrations, and minimized electrolyte leakage, demonstrating its protective effects on plant tissues. Microscopic analyses using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed these protective effects. Treated plants exhibited intact cellular membranes, well-organized chloroplasts, and enhanced cellular integrity, whereas untreated plants showed severe structural damage, including plasmolysis and distorted chloroplast morphology. Conclusion T. harzianum HE22 supplemented with potassium tartrate (T1) demonstrates significant potential as an environmentally friendly and highly effective strategy for managing wheat stem rust. This approach not only reduces disease severity but also enhances wheat yield and overall plant health, making it a promising tool for sustainable agricultural practices.
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spelling doaj-art-a81641bf1c994069aed452e7e96095222025-08-20T02:10:46ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-04-0125111610.1186/s12870-025-06434-9Enhancing Trichoderma efficacy in managing wheat stem rust disease and boosting production through the application of certain chemical inducersHany H. A. El-Sharkawy0Nada A. Mostafa1Safaa A. M. Yousef2Salama A. S. El-Blasy3Osama Abd El Badeea4Mycology and Diseases Survey Research Department, Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research CenterAgricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura UniversityMycology and Diseases Survey Research Department, Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center Mycology and diseases Survey Research Department, Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research CenterLeguminous and Forage Crop Diseases Department, Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research CenterAbstract Background Wheat stem rust (WSR), caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), represents a significant threat to global wheat production. Biocontrol agents, such as Trichoderma harzianum HE22 (TH), offer sustainable strategies for managing this disease. This study evaluates the efficacy of TH cultured in potato dextrose broth (PDB) supplemented with various chemical inducers (TSDCIS), including potassium tartrate (T1), a mixture of micronutrients (T2), and thiamine (T3). These treatments were compared to unmodified TH (T4) to evaluate their potential in controlling WSR at both the seedling stage and under field conditions, with the primary objective of enhancing disease management while improving wheat yield and quality. Results Under both greenhouse and field conditions, T1 significantly reduced disease severity by 86.2% and 77.7%, respectively, and decreased the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) by 77.5% compared to the untreated control. T1 also extended the incubation and latent periods, reduced pustule density, and mitigated oxidative damage. Biochemical analyses revealed elevated levels of total phenols and enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), along with increased concentrations of ascorbic acid and proline. Additionally, T1 reduced lipid peroxidation, lowered H₂O₂ concentrations, and minimized electrolyte leakage, demonstrating its protective effects on plant tissues. Microscopic analyses using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed these protective effects. Treated plants exhibited intact cellular membranes, well-organized chloroplasts, and enhanced cellular integrity, whereas untreated plants showed severe structural damage, including plasmolysis and distorted chloroplast morphology. Conclusion T. harzianum HE22 supplemented with potassium tartrate (T1) demonstrates significant potential as an environmentally friendly and highly effective strategy for managing wheat stem rust. This approach not only reduces disease severity but also enhances wheat yield and overall plant health, making it a promising tool for sustainable agricultural practices.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06434-9WheatStem rustInduced resistanceElectron microscopeT. harzianum
spellingShingle Hany H. A. El-Sharkawy
Nada A. Mostafa
Safaa A. M. Yousef
Salama A. S. El-Blasy
Osama Abd El Badeea
Enhancing Trichoderma efficacy in managing wheat stem rust disease and boosting production through the application of certain chemical inducers
BMC Plant Biology
Wheat
Stem rust
Induced resistance
Electron microscope
T. harzianum
title Enhancing Trichoderma efficacy in managing wheat stem rust disease and boosting production through the application of certain chemical inducers
title_full Enhancing Trichoderma efficacy in managing wheat stem rust disease and boosting production through the application of certain chemical inducers
title_fullStr Enhancing Trichoderma efficacy in managing wheat stem rust disease and boosting production through the application of certain chemical inducers
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing Trichoderma efficacy in managing wheat stem rust disease and boosting production through the application of certain chemical inducers
title_short Enhancing Trichoderma efficacy in managing wheat stem rust disease and boosting production through the application of certain chemical inducers
title_sort enhancing trichoderma efficacy in managing wheat stem rust disease and boosting production through the application of certain chemical inducers
topic Wheat
Stem rust
Induced resistance
Electron microscope
T. harzianum
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06434-9
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