Abstract
The mean of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Gigaspora margarita, Glomus fasciculatum, Gl. mosseae, Gl. sp. R10, Gl. aggregatum) on tolerance to anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (CG), in strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duch., cv. Nohime) plants was evaluated under capillary watering conditions. Thirty days after CG inoculation, the incidence of anthracnose ranged from a minimum of 33.3% in Gl. mosseae and Gl. aggregatum plots to a maximum of 100% in non-AM (NAM) plot; the incidence varied depending on the AM fungal species. Incidence and severity of browned crown and roots became lower in AM plots than in NAM plot. As for the dry weight of plants, the AM plots showed higher values the NAM plot for both shoots and roots 11 weeks after AM fungus inoculation (just before CG inoculation) . Thirty days after CG inoculation, non-diseased AM plants had higher dry weights of shoots and roots than did diseased non-AM one. No characteristic difference in phosphorus concentration in plants appeared between non-AM and AM plots 11 weeks after AM fungus inoculation and 30 days after CG inoculation. These findings suggest that tolerance to anthracnose occurred in AM fungus-infected strawberry plants, and no close relation appeared between the tolerance and phosphorus concentration in plants.
