Trichoderma and Funneliformis Interactions: Influencing the Life Cycle and Population Dynamics of Myzus persicae on Pepper

Abstract

This study explored the interactions between Trichoderma harzianum, T. asperellum, Funneliformis mosseae, and the aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on pepper plants. These beneficial soil-borne microorganisms are recognized for their ability to produce secondary metabolites that can both support plant growth and induce high mortality rates in insect pests. The experiment included five treatments: control, T. harzianum, T. asperellum, F. mosseae, and a combination of all three microorganisms. The life cycle parameters of M. persicae were evaluated under these conditions using the age-stage two-sex life table approach. Metrics such as intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, and age-specific survival rates were calculated using the TWOSEX-MSChart software. The findings revealed that T. asperellum, surprisingly, significantly increased the population dynamics of M. persicae. T. harzianum, F. mosseae, and the Mixture treatment groups, which is a mixture of three microbial organisms, showed small reductions in aphid populations, but these differences were not statistically suppressive. These results suggest that while T. asperellum increases plant growth, its metabolites may unintentionally promote favorable conditions for aphid reproduction. The different effects of these microorganisms seem to be linked to changes in plant metabolism, which in turn prove plant-insect interactions. This research highlights the complex relationships between microorganisms, plants, and pests, the need for a nuanced approach in developing biological control strategies, and the importance of understanding how specific microorganisms affect plant-pest dynamics in agricultural ecosystems.