Study of different Trichoderma strains on growth characteristics and silymarin accumulationof milk thistle plant

摘要

Biological control involves the use of beneficial organisms such as Trichoderma that promote positive responsesby the plant. Trichoderma species produce and/or release a variety of compounds, including cell wall degradingenzymes and secondary metabolites, which enhance root development, crop productivity and resistance to bioticand abiotic stresses. This study examines the effects of the five Trichoderma strains (M7, KHB, G124-1, G46-3and G46-7) on milk thistle including morphological characteristics and silymarin accumulation. This researchindicated that treating milk thistle by M7 strain, significantly increased the highest branch length of plants, whilestrain KHB induced the production of silychristin, isosilybin and silymarin. Finally, strain G46-7 dramaticallyincreased silydianin content in milk thistle plant. The findings suggested that certain Trichoderma strains arepositive elicitors for promoting growth characteristics and silymarin accumulation in Silybum marianum (L.)Gaertn.