Enhancement of pea (Pisum sativum) seedling vigour and associated phenoliccontent by extracts of apple pomace fermented with Trichoderma spp.

We previously reported that three apple pomace-based Trichoderma inoculants enhanced seedling vigour in pea (Pisum sativum) germinated in potting soil . The objective of this study was to further investigate the effect of isol ated extracts from these bioinoculants on phenolic content and seedling vig our in peas. When pea seeds were pre-treated with Trichoderma viride, Trich oderma harzianum and Trichoderma pseudokoningii inoculant extracts, the ger mination rate in potting soil increased by, 15, 15 and 20%, respectively, c ompared with water treatment control. After 5 days of growth, the average p lant height increased by 27, 39 and 31%, respectively; the average fresh we ight increased by 33, 46 and 36%, respectively. The average phenolic conten t. another key indicator of vigour identified in our studies, increased by 13, 18 and 17%, respectively. The root elongation during germination of pre -treated pea seeds was more rapid than control. Pea seeds treated for 24 h with the dilution of 10(-2) of Trichoderma inoculant extracts resulted in t he most rapid plant growth and highest phenolic content of pea seedlings. T he chemical composition of the inoculant extracts was partially characteriz ed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.