The Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus (AMF) on Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) in Summer Squash Cultivars

Abstract

In this study, the effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) was investigated on the growth someparameters of squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) (morphological and physiological) and yellow mosaic disease caused by Zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus (ZYMV) which has been known as an important problem of squash cultivation leading yield losses. Under controlled conditions, three squash cultivars (Comet F1, Focus F1 and Sakız) were inoculated with four different AMF strains (Gigaspora margarita, Glomus mossease,Glomus intraradices and a commercial AMF) in order to determine the most appropriate combination of squash cultivar and AMF species. Considering colonization rate and mycorrhizal dependency,the most appropriate combination was determined between Sakız and commercial AMF, Focus F1andcommercial AMF, and Comet F1 andGlomus mosseae. These combinations were used in the subsequent experiment. At the end of the study, it was found that the application of AMF was stimulated plant growth positively. Generally, chlorophyll contents were decreased in plants inoculated with AMF and ZYMV compared to control plants. The phosphorus content was not statistically significant between the applications. It was determined that the disease severity was increased in mycorrhizal plants compared with non-mycorrhizal plants. On the other hand the virus concentration was decreased in AMF and ZYMV pathosystem.