EFFECTS OF MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI ON SOME RESISTANCE PARAMETERS IN TOMATO - RHIZOCTONIA SOLANI PATHOSYSTEM

In this study, the effects of mycorrhizal fungi on some resistance parameters in tomato- Rhizoctonia solani pathosystem under pot conditions were aimed. At the end of the experiments, the colonization rates of Glomus intraradices (Gi) and mixture of mycorrhisal fungi (MMF) were 51.0% and 62.0%, respectively. Depending on the colonisation, growth parameters including plant height stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of tomato plants were increased by myorrhisal fungi compared to control. Disease severity was reduced by Gi and MMF by 51.85% and 70.86%, respectively. Total phenolic compounds were measured for six weeks in the experiment. In all applications, total phenolic compounds were higher than control. The amount of phenolic compounds was highest in the first week immediately after pathogen inoculation. In the following weeks, the amount of phenolic compounds gradually decreased. The effects of mycorrhizal fungi on the oxidative-antioxidative parameters were also observed. TOS, OSI, levels were significantly higher in R. solani infected plants than in all treatment. TAS levels were higher in mycorrhizal and /or pathogen combinations. As a result of the study, mycorrhizal fungi were decreased the disease severity by increasing the amount of phenolic compounds and total antioxidant level against Rhizoctonia solani in tomato.