A new study published in Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology highlights a groundbreaking approach to managing one of tomato farming’s most devastating diseases — Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (Forl). The research explores how fungi derived from arugula (Eruca sativa) vermicompost can naturally suppress this soil-borne pathogen while promoting tomato plant growth.
The team screened 36 fungal isolates from arugula vermicompost against common tomato pathogens, finding that 61% of them inhibited pathogen growth through competition for nutrients. Among the top-performing isolates were Trichoderma, Plectosphaerella, and Gymnascella, which showed strong antifungal and plant growth-promoting properties.
In greenhouse trials, the fungal treatments notably reduced disease severity by up to 89%, while enhancing shoot growth, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Trichoderma sp. T58a, in particular, induced the highest resistance and vitality in infected tomato plants, outperforming chemical fungicides.
The study also revealed that these beneficial fungi produce indole-acetic acid (IAA) and siderophores, compounds known to stimulate plant growth and nutrient uptake. Positive correlations were found between antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, APX) and plant growth parameters, while disease severity showed an inverse relationship.
This pioneering research demonstrates that arugula vermicompost-derived fungi can serve as powerful biocontrol agents, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and contributing to sustainable tomato cultivation. The findings could open new opportunities for eco-friendly disease management in agriculture.
Reference
Taiebikhah, N., Mirtalebi, M., & Gharin, R. (2026). Antagonistic potential of arugula vermicompost-derived fungi for controlling tomato crown and root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 141, 102982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102982
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