Researchers from University M’Hamed Bougara of Boumerdes (UMBB) contributed to a study showing how arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma harzianum can serve as biocontrol agents against two major soil‑borne tomato pathogens: Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahliae.
Under greenhouse conditions, the team evaluated the in vivo antagonistic activity of AMF and T. harzianum—alone and in combination—on diseased tomato plants. Both bioagents significantly reduced disease progression compared to untreated controls. Notably, T. harzianum was especially effective against Verticillium wilt, while AMF showed superior effects on root colonization and overall plant growth enhancement.
These findings highlight the potential of microbial consortia to improve plant resistance and growth while lowering reliance on chemical fungicides—an approach that resonates with ASTER’s sustainable crop protection goals. By leveraging natural soil organisms such as mycorrhizae and Trichoderma, farmers can adopt more environmentally friendly strategies for managing soil‑borne diseases in Mediterranean agroecosystems
