Effect, mechanisms and application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for biological control of Fusarium oxysporum-caused wilt: a review

Abstract:

Plant wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum is a soil-borne disease common in agricultural production systems and difficult to control, which possess a serious threat to crop yield and quality. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can form mutualistic symbiosis with most terrestrial plants and play important roles in promoting plant growth and enhancing plant disease resistance. We collected and analyzed the relevant literature published during 2001–2021 and summarized the research progress of biological control of F. oxysporum-caused wilt by AM fungi. We investigated the effects of AM fungal inoculum compositions and application modes on the disease development and the abundance of F. oxysporum. We further summarized the direct and indirect mechanisms of AM fungi in enhancing plant resistance against F. oxysporum from the aspects of soil, root and plant. The mechanisms included affecting soil micro-environment, regulating rhizosphere microbial community structure, competing for niche with pathogens, strengthening root mechanical protection barrier, promoting nutrient absorption and inducing systemic resistance of plants. In addition, we analyzed the progress and deficiency of AM fungi combined with other measures for the control of F. oxysporum-caused wilt. The present review is expected to promote the development of fundamental research and application of AM fungi in biological control of plant diseases.