engleski

Interactions of earthworms and soil fungi – effect of earthworm coelomic fluid (Eisenia andrei) on growth of phytopathogenic fungi

Earthworms have great importance in the functioning of soil ecosystems, both in the degradation of organic matter and in the cycle of nutrients, as well as in interaction with other soil organisms and their connection through the food webs. The interactions between earthworms and fungi in the soil are very important. It is known that earthworms can directly affect the growth of phytopathogenic fungi through their coelomic fluid, but the exact mechanism is unknown. By applying electrostimulation earthworm releases its coelomic fluid that contains the coelomocytes, immune cells of the earthworm. In the present research, the effect of the coelomic fluid extract of epigeic species Eisenia andrei was investigated on six different species of phytopathogenic fungi: Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani, Scleroctinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium culmorum, Pythium irregulare and Chalara elegans. Applied coelomocyte concentrations were 2000, 3500, 5000, 6000 and 7000 coelomocyte/mL extract. Since the significant inhibitory effect of coelomic fluid extract on growth of all six species of fungi has been determined, further research should determine the mechanism of these interactions that may be of great value in agriculture and plant protection.

earthworms ; phytopathogenic fungi ; coelomic fluid extract ; growth inhibition

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