Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Yerra Pavani Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Author-Name: Ponnusamy Janaki Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Author-Name: Palanisamy Murali Arthanari Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Author-Name: Ramasamy Jagadeeswaran Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Remote Sensing and GIS, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Author-Name: Arjunan Sankari Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Vegetable Science, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Author-Name: Alaguthevar Ramalakshmi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Author-Name: Chandrasekaran Bharathi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India Title: Sequential and combined spray of herbicides to tomato field on weed reduction, fruit parameters and carryover residues Abstract: Tomatoes are in great demand worldwide and consumed due to their nutritional and sensory qualities. Weed infestation poses a great challenge in tomato production, prompting growers to employ two to three herbicides in combinations and sequences for comprehensive control. Consequently, this study was undertaken to investigate the effects of glyphosate, pendimethalin, and metribuzin when applied individually or in sequential combinations in tomato fields. The herbicides significantly reduced the weed density and dry biomass and enhanced the weed control efficiency (WCE) compared to control. A tank mix spray of pendimethalin and metribuzin following glyphosate gave significantly higher WCE (80-91%) and fruit yield (88.47 t/ha). The tomato quality parameters were unaffected by the herbicides. The terminal residues in fruits were found below the safe limit of 0.1 mg/kg for glyphosate and 0.01 mg/kg for pendimethalin and metribuzin. Moreover, there was no evidence of residual carryover toxicity from the applied herbicides, as confirmed by the plant bioassay and instrumental techniques. However, continuous spraying of herbicides repeatedly in succession and in combination necessitates long-term monitoring to assess the potential development of herbicide-resistant weeds, the bio-magnification of residues in soil, their transfer to tomato fruits and the impact on the food chain. Keywords: fruit quality, herbicides persistence, phytotoxicity, tank mix, weed control Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 91-102 Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/41/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/41/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202502-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:52:y:2025:i:2:id:41-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Adam Tadeusz Wojdyła Author-Workplace-Name: The National Institute of Horticultural Research, Skierniewice, Poland Author-Name: Jacek Stanisław Nowak Author-Workplace-Name: The National Institute of Horticultural Research, Skierniewice, Poland Author-Name: Jan Bocianowski Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Mathematical and Statistical Methods, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland Author-Name: Monika Kałużna Author-Workplace-Name: The National Institute of Horticultural Research, Skierniewice, Poland Author-Name: Jacek Wiśniewski Author-Workplace-Name: Horticulture Farm Jacek Wiśniewski General, Wiązowna, Poland Author-Name: Emilia Waszkiewicz Author-Workplace-Name: Emi Agro Emilia Waszkiewicz, Otwock, Poland Title: Effect of compounds used for soaking narcissus bulbs on mycelium coverage of bulbs and substrate Abstract: In the experiments, two compounds were used: hydrogen peroxide with silver (H2O2-Ag+) and captan, pyraclostrobin + boscalid and methyl thiophanate + tetraconazole to soak narcissus bulbs before planting for the period of 20 minutes. The bulbs were planted in such a way that 2/3 of the bulb was above the surface of the substrate. All the pots with bulbs were subsequently placed in plastic boxes and transferred to a cooling chamber adjusted precisely for 9 °C and 94-99% air humidity. During the rooting of the bulbs in the cold room after 4, 8, 12 and 15 weeks, and then in the greenhouse after cutting the above-ground parts, the observations of the bulbs and percentage substrate coverage by the fungi most frequently isolated in the previous observations. The research showed that H2O2-Ag+ and fungicides used for soaking significantly limited the fungal development on bulbs and also on the substrate during the rooting period in the cold store and after they were placed in the greenhouse until the flowering. Keywords: bulb rooting, hydrogen peroxide, fungicides, inhibition, fungi on bulb surface and substrate Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 103-110 Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/42/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/42/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202502-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:52:y:2025:i:2:id:42-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jinhang Li Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, College of Forestry, Beihua University, Jilin, P.R. China Author-Name: Qige Qi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, College of Forestry, Beihua University, Jilin, P.R. China Author-Name: Qichang Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, College of Forestry, Beihua University, Jilin, P.R. China Author-Name: Meng Wang Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, College of Forestry, Beihua University, Jilin, P.R. China Author-Name: Yichen Liu Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, College of Forestry, Beihua University, Jilin, P.R. China Author-Name: Xinyu Sun Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, College of Forestry, Beihua University, Jilin, P.R. China Author-Name: Yuting Mu Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, College of Forestry, Beihua University, Jilin, P.R. China Author-Name: Chunlei Yang Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, College of Forestry, Beihua University, Jilin, P.R. China Title: Variations in bog bilberry fruit characteristics along an altitudinal gradient on Changbai Mountain, China Abstract: To better understand the influence of altitude on fruit characteristics of bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.), here we investigated the adaptation of its fruit morphological and chemical traits to the environment at six growing positions along an altitudinal gradient (706, 957, 1 226, 1 315, 2 000 and 2 190 m) on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain, China. Fruit longitudinal diameter, fruit transverse diameter and fruit weight decreased significantly with increasing altitude. Vitamin B1 content reached its highest at 2 190 m, while both vitamin B2 and vitamin C contents reached their highest and lowest at 1 226 and 706 m, respectively. Anthocyanin content and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging ability initially decreased and then improved with increasing altitude. We observed a highly significant (P < 0.001) negative correlation between external fruit quality traits (fruit length, diameter and weight) and internal fruit quality traits (vitamins B1, B2, C and anthocyanin), and found that environmental factors significantly influenced fruit characteristics. Taken together, we concluded that on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain, bog bilberry fruits were larger at low altitudes, fruits at mid altitudes contained higher vitamins B2 and C, while high altitude (especially at 2 190 m) was beneficial for vitamin B1, anthocyanin, and DPPH free radical scavenging ability. Keywords: altitude, fruit antioxidant capacity, fruit appearance characteristics, fruit vitamin content, Changbai Mountain, Vaccinium uliginosum L Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 111-119 Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/147/2023-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/147/2023-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202502-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:52:y:2025:i:2:id:147-2023-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Amin Jahanian Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Author-Name: Seyed Jalal Tabatabaei Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Shaded University, Tehran, Iran Author-Name: Nosratollah Najafi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Author-Name: Martina Bučková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Analysis and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Zlin, Czech Republic Author-Name: Farzad Rasouli Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran Author-Name: Jiří Mlček Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Analysis and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Zlin, Czech Republic Author-Name: Sezai Ercisli Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey Title: Influence of phosphite and phosphate fertilizers at three different pH levels under floating system on the growth, yield, and nutrient concentration of broccoli Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the effects of phosphite and phosphate fertilisers on broccoli's yield, growth, and nutritional status (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica cv. 'Fiorentino'). In factorial combinations, experiments were conducted at three pH levels (5.5, 7.0, and 8.5) and three phosphorus source levels [Pi (phosphate), Phi (phosphite), and Pi + Phi]. Phi had a statistically significant negative effect on yield, producing immature and button-like flower heads. Decreases in chlorophyll index, Fv/Fm [ratio of variable fluorescence (Fv) to maximum fluorescence (Fm)], and leaf area were observed using the Phi treatment. These results indicate that fertilisation with Phi alone did not affect plant growth and yield. P (phosphorus) and K (potassium) concentrations in plants were increased by root fertilisation with Phi (floating system), but did not affect growth characteristics; increased Pi uptake in Phi-treated plants increased P and K concentrations in the sink source, resulting in reduced growth, phytotoxicity, and no head formation. While it may appear that Phi is upsetting the balance of solution nutrients and stressing the plants, the Phi-induced stress condition was identified by measuring proline levels and electrolyte leakage. Thus, phosphite could not be used as a P source for plants. However, Phi could be used as a plant nutrient source combined with conventional Pi fertilisers. Keywords: accumulation, head formation, proline, toxicity, uptake Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 120-130 Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/16/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/16/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202502-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:52:y:2025:i:2:id:16-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Muhammad Tahir Akram Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Author-Name: Rashad Qadri Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Author-Name: Mehwish Liaquat Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Author-Name: Naveed ur Rehman Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Author-Name: Tanveer Hussain Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Author-Name: Irfan Ali Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Author-Name: Sarvet Jehan Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Author-Name: Muhammad Azam Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Author-Name: Muhammad Mumtaz Khan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Marine Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-khoud, Oman Author-Name: Muhammad Ahsan Khatana Author-Workplace-Name: Plant Genetic Resources Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Pakistan Author-Name: Arslan Achakzai Author-Workplace-Name: Directorate of Agriculture Research Fruit, Agriculture Research Institute (ARI), Quetta, Pakistan Author-Name: Israr Ali Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Title: Evaluation of different rooting stimulators and substrates to produce guava clone plants through softwood cuttings Abstract: The clonal propagation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) is essential to avoid segregation, and its multiplication through cuttings is the easiest and cheapest way to raise a nursery, as other propagation techniques are laborious and need expertise. The current study was planned to evaluate the best rooting stimulators and rooting substrates for guava nursery propagation. In this experiment, the guava-prepared cuttings were treated with rooting stimulators, indole butyric acid (IBA) and paclobutrazol (PB) with concentrations (0, 200, 400, and 600 ppm) and were planted in independent rooting substrates (sand, silt and topsoil) under polytunnels. The results revealed that the highest number of roots, root length and root weight were achieved in cuttings planted in the sand with IBA 400 ppm concentration. In contrast, the highest survival percentage (50%) was obtained in silt substrate with a similar concentration of IBA. However, sand's lowest and highest concentrations of both rooting hormones produced zero plants. In shooting capacity, maximum leaves (13.6) and sprouts (3.76) were obtained using IBA 400 ppm in silt substrate. The highest sprouting length (6.80 cm) and cutting height (26.2 cm) were attained with sand using PB 200 ppm. In the overall comparison, rooting stimulator IBA 400 ppm and rooting substrate silt performed better than other rooting stimulators and rooting substrates. Keywords: clonal propagation, indole butyric acid, paclobutrazol, polytunnels, rooting Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 131-143 Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/62/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/62/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202502-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:52:y:2025:i:2:id:62-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Shweta Sharma Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Himachal Pradesh, India Author-Name: Anshul Kumar Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Himachal Pradesh, India Author-Name: Sabhya Pathania Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Himachal Pradesh, India Author-Name: B.P. Sharma Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Himachal Pradesh, India Author-Name: Bharati Kashyap Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Himachal Pradesh, India Author-Name: Abeer Hashem Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Graciela Dolores Avila-Quezada Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrotechnological Sciences, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México Author-Name: Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Production, College of Food Science and Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Title: Integrated effect of inorganic and bio-organic nutrients on alstroemeria growth, flowering and soil dynamics Abstract: Optimum nutrition is essential for quality cut flower production and for improving soil health. The study aims to evaluate the interaction between bio-organic and inorganic nutrient sources in enhancing alstroemeria (Alstroemeria hybrida L.) cut flower production and soil health for sustainable cultivation practice. Randomised block methodology involving 20 treatment combinations of inorganic fertilisers (NPK) and biostimulants (Panchgavya and Jeevamrit) applied at varying concentrations. Significant outcomes emerged from the combined influence of inorganic and organic sources of nutrients. The application of the 100% recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF) with 75 mL of Panchgavya resulted in substantial improvements in alstroemeria growth parameters, including plant height (7.8%), early flowering (13.08%), flower diameter (20.03%) and the number of flowering stems (25.3%) over the control (100% RDF). Plant spread (24.1%) and number of florets/stem (26.6%) were improved with the application of 100% RDF with 50 mL of Panchgavya when compared with the control. Soil nutrient content, i.e. available nitrogen (11.5%), phosphorus (28.7%), potassium (13.8%) and microbial populations, i.e. fungal (35.4%) and bacterial (28.2%) colonies also exhibited noteworthy enhancements with the application of 100% RDF with 75 mL of Panchgavya over the control. The study concludes that the application of 100% RDF with 75 mL of Panchgavya increased quality cut flower production in alstroemeria. Keywords: alstroemeria, biostimulants, capri, growth and flowering, inorganic fertilisers, microbial count, Panchgavya Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 144-154 Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/15/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/15/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202502-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:52:y:2025:i:2:id:15-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Maxhun Shehaj Author-Workplace-Name: College UBT - Higher Education Institution, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo Author-Name: Erzen Shehaj Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo Author-Name: Elbasan Çekaj Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo Author-Name: Agrinë Naqa Author-Workplace-Name: College UBT - Higher Education Institution, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo Author-Name: Blerinë Krasniqi Author-Workplace-Name: College UBT - Higher Education Institution, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo Title: European rose chafer prevalence on cultivated highbush blueberries Abstract: The purpose of this study was to detect the prevalence rate of European rose chafer (Cetonia aurata) on American highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum). The observation was made from the beginning of flowering to the end of harvest of the blueberry cultivars 'Duke', 'Legacy', and 'Huron'. The incidence occurs during the first harvest of the 'Duke' cultivar. Three rows per cultivar, with 90 plants per row, were monitored during the research. Insects were collected on 15 infested plants per row, randomly selected, and counted. This procedure was repeated every second day, 3 times a day: in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon. The highest presence of the insect was recorded at the full ripening phase of the 'Duke' cultivar, with 25.5% of bushes being infested and an average of 12.7 beetles per bush counted. The damage percentage varied over the harvesting periods: 29% of the fruits were damaged in the first harvest, 13% in the second harvest, and 8% during the third harvest. While 'Legacy' and 'Huron' stood out with 5.55% and 3.33% of infected bushes, respectively, and minor fruit damage. This research proves that the European rose chafer in the area of the experiment is a harmful pest of early cultivated blueberry cultivars. Keywords: beetles, ', Duke', , fruit damage, harmful pest, Huron', Legacy' Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 155-161 Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/28/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/28/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202502-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:52:y:2025:i:2:id:28-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Markéta Mayerová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Technological Equipment of Buildings, Faculty of Engineering, Author-Name: Martin Stehlík Author-Workplace-Name: Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Tomáš Šimon Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Technological Equipment of Buildings, Faculty of Engineering, Author-Name: Petr Hutla Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Ilona Gerndtová Author-Workplace-Name: Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Granular organic hydrosorbents increase water retention and resistance of boxwood seedlings during drought Abstract: Sufficient available water in the soil is critical for plant growth, especially soon after planting. Water absorbed by organic hydrosorbents has the potential to reduce drought stress after planting and improve seedling survival. This research evaluates the effectiveness of granular organic hydrosorbents (GOH) in increasing soil-water retention in a pot experiment with boxwood (Buxus sempervirens L.) seedlings. The leaf chlorophyll content was also evaluated to determine plant growth. The following fertilisers were used: GOH 1 comprised 50% biogas products and 50% wheat straw, and GOH 2 combined post-harvest grain, legume and oilseed residues. The fertilisers were applied to the bottom of the pot or mixed with the soil. Both types doubled the initial water retention compared to the control. While the control water retention dropped below zero after 18 days without watering, retention in the fertilised treatments ranged from 0.5 to 0.76 L. Re-watering part of the trial after the 18 days then induced increased retention to the initial levels in all treatments and the control. However, the fertilised plant's water retention was up to half a litre greater than in the control when the 62-day experiment ended. The effect of GOH application was also manifested in the chlorophyll content. In the no watering mode, the chlorophyll content was, on average, 20% and 13% higher in the treatments with GOH 1 and GOH 2 than in the control. In the watering regime, the application of GOH 1 and GOH 2 increased the chlorophyll content by an average of 31% and 26%, respectively. Finally, these trials established that the GOH applications significantly delayed boxwood-seedling drying and increased their water retention and chlorophyll content in unwatered and re-watered plants. Keywords: chlorophyll content, organic fertilisers, pot experiment, seedling survival, water stress Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 162-172 Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/72/2024-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/72/2024-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202502-0008.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:52:y:2025:i:2:id:72-2024-HORTSCI Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Patcharaporn Suwor Author-Workplace-Name: School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand Author-Name: Manthana Mueangkhong Author-Workplace-Name: School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand Author-Name: Praphat Kawicha Author-Workplace-Name: Plant Genome and Disease Research Unit, Department of Agriculture and Resources, Faculty of Natural Resources and Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand Author-Workplace-Name: Center of Excellence on Agricultural Biotechnology, Science and Technology Postgraduate Education and Research Development Office, Office of Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education, Thailand Author-Name: Thanwanit Thanyasiriwat Author-Workplace-Name: Plant Genome and Disease Research Unit, Department of Agriculture and Resources, Faculty of Natural Resources and Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand Author-Workplace-Name: Center of Excellence on Agricultural Biotechnology, Science and Technology Postgraduate Education and Research Development Office, Office of Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education, Thailand Author-Name: Suchila Techawongstien Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand Author-Name: Sanjeet Kumar Author-Workplace-Name: Plant Geneticist and Breeder (Independent), Gopal Kunj, Varanasi, India Author-Name: Wen-Shi Tsai Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Medicine, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, Taiwan Author-Name: Somsak Kramchote Author-Workplace-Name: School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand Title: Effect of Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium oxysporum in resistant and susceptible tomato cultivars Abstract: Fusarium wilt disease presents a substantial challenge to tomato production, especially in an open field environment. The peroxidase (POD) activity and total phenolic compounds (TPCs) play a crucial role in measuring the antioxidant capacity of plants. Understanding the variations in the POD and TPC levels during disease-induced stress becomes important for effectively managing Fusarium wilt and enhancing tomato production. This study investigates the impacts of Trichoderma harzianum inoculation through the root drip method on five tomato cultivars. It compares these cultivars to their non-treated counterparts when they are subjected to infection by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol). The results showed that the level of resistance to Fol is based on the specific tomato cultivar. Notably, 'MT26' exhibited the lowest disease severity index (DSI), indicating a strong response, whereas 'CLN3682F' showed notable susceptibility. Regarding the POD and TPC activity, its exhibition differed in compatibility with the response of each tomato cultivar to Fusarium wilt disease. The resistant cultivars increased the POD activity after the Trichoderma induction before the Fol inoculation, and this activity was further boosted when exposed to disease conditions. Consequently, enhancing the POD and TPC levels during the initial stages could potentially serve as a systemic defence mechanism of tomatoes against the Fusarium wilt disease. Keywords: breeding for resistance, fungi, protection, tomato resistant source Journal: Horticultural Science Pages: 173-181 Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/126/2023-HORTSCI File-URL: http://hortsci.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/126/2023-HORTSCI.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/hor-202502-0009.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:52:y:2025:i:2:id:126-2023-HORTSCI