Biostimulant Effects of <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> in Hydroponic Spinach Production
Using beneficial microorganisms as biostimulants is a promising strategy to enhance crop growth and productivity in hydroponic systems. <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> has demonstrated plant growth-promoting effects in soil cultivation; however, its efficacy in hydroponic Deep-Water Cultur...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Jared Hernández-Huerta Brenda I. Guerrero Angélica Anahí Acevedo-Barrera Martha Irma Balandrán-Valladares Rosa María Yañez-Muñoz Ndahita De Dios-Avila Aldo Gutiérrez-Chávez |
| author_facet | Jared Hernández-Huerta Brenda I. Guerrero Angélica Anahí Acevedo-Barrera Martha Irma Balandrán-Valladares Rosa María Yañez-Muñoz Ndahita De Dios-Avila Aldo Gutiérrez-Chávez |
| author_sort | Jared Hernández-Huerta |
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| description | Using beneficial microorganisms as biostimulants is a promising strategy to enhance crop growth and productivity in hydroponic systems. <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> has demonstrated plant growth-promoting effects in soil cultivation; however, its efficacy in hydroponic Deep-Water Culture (DWC) systems remains underexplored. This research evaluated the effect of <i>T. asperellum</i> strains TaMFP1 and TaMFP2 on the growth, nutrient uptake, and visual quality of hydroponically grown spinach cv. Stella Plus F-1 (<i>Spinacia oleracea</i> L.). A randomized complete design was used, comparing inoculated plants with a control and a commercial <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i> product. After 28 days, the results showed that <i>T. asperellum</i> significantly increased plant height (23.1%), collar diameter (21.8%), root length (39.6%), leaf area (22.0%), number of leaves (18.05), and fresh biomass accumulation (23.5%) compared to non-inoculated plants. Furthermore, inoculation with TaMFP1 improved spinach yield by 34.5%, while nutrient analysis indicated enhanced phosphorus and calcium uptake. No significant changes were observed in photosynthetic pigment concentrations, and the visual quality of the harvested spinach was unaffected. These findings highlight the potential of <i>T. asperellum</i> as a sustainable biostimulant in hydroponic spinach production. These results contribute to developing beneficial microorganism-based strategies to enhance the sustainability of hydroponic agriculture. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj-art-eaf22454bc364004be4cf0a4b9789d6b2025-08-20T03:43:27ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-03-0115342810.3390/life15030428Biostimulant Effects of <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> in Hydroponic Spinach ProductionJared Hernández-Huerta0Brenda I. Guerrero1Angélica Anahí Acevedo-Barrera2Martha Irma Balandrán-Valladares3Rosa María Yañez-Muñoz4Ndahita De Dios-Avila5Aldo Gutiérrez-Chávez6Department of Agrotechnological Sciences, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Campus 1, Av. Pascual Orozco S/N, Chihuahua 31350, MexicoDepartment of Agrotechnological Sciences, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Campus 1, Av. Pascual Orozco S/N, Chihuahua 31350, MexicoDepartment of Agrotechnological Sciences, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Campus 1, Av. Pascual Orozco S/N, Chihuahua 31350, MexicoDepartment of Agrotechnological Sciences, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Campus 1, Av. Pascual Orozco S/N, Chihuahua 31350, MexicoDepartment of Agrotechnological Sciences, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Campus 1, Av. Pascual Orozco S/N, Chihuahua 31350, MexicoDepartment of Agrotechnological Sciences, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Campus 1, Av. Pascual Orozco S/N, Chihuahua 31350, MexicoDepartment of Agrotechnological Sciences, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Campus 1, Av. Pascual Orozco S/N, Chihuahua 31350, MexicoUsing beneficial microorganisms as biostimulants is a promising strategy to enhance crop growth and productivity in hydroponic systems. <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> has demonstrated plant growth-promoting effects in soil cultivation; however, its efficacy in hydroponic Deep-Water Culture (DWC) systems remains underexplored. This research evaluated the effect of <i>T. asperellum</i> strains TaMFP1 and TaMFP2 on the growth, nutrient uptake, and visual quality of hydroponically grown spinach cv. Stella Plus F-1 (<i>Spinacia oleracea</i> L.). A randomized complete design was used, comparing inoculated plants with a control and a commercial <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i> product. After 28 days, the results showed that <i>T. asperellum</i> significantly increased plant height (23.1%), collar diameter (21.8%), root length (39.6%), leaf area (22.0%), number of leaves (18.05), and fresh biomass accumulation (23.5%) compared to non-inoculated plants. Furthermore, inoculation with TaMFP1 improved spinach yield by 34.5%, while nutrient analysis indicated enhanced phosphorus and calcium uptake. No significant changes were observed in photosynthetic pigment concentrations, and the visual quality of the harvested spinach was unaffected. These findings highlight the potential of <i>T. asperellum</i> as a sustainable biostimulant in hydroponic spinach production. These results contribute to developing beneficial microorganism-based strategies to enhance the sustainability of hydroponic agriculture.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/3/428hydroponicbiostimulantsspinachfungi |
| spellingShingle | Jared Hernández-Huerta Brenda I. Guerrero Angélica Anahí Acevedo-Barrera Martha Irma Balandrán-Valladares Rosa María Yañez-Muñoz Ndahita De Dios-Avila Aldo Gutiérrez-Chávez Biostimulant Effects of <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> in Hydroponic Spinach Production Life hydroponic biostimulants spinach fungi |
| title | Biostimulant Effects of <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> in Hydroponic Spinach Production |
| title_full | Biostimulant Effects of <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> in Hydroponic Spinach Production |
| title_fullStr | Biostimulant Effects of <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> in Hydroponic Spinach Production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biostimulant Effects of <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> in Hydroponic Spinach Production |
| title_short | Biostimulant Effects of <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> in Hydroponic Spinach Production |
| title_sort | biostimulant effects of i trichoderma asperellum i in hydroponic spinach production |
| topic | hydroponic biostimulants spinach fungi |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/3/428 |
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