Determination of the efficacy of Trichoderma koningii and Rhizophagus irregularis against Fusarium wilt disease in tomato Abdelhak Rhouma, Abdulnabi Abbdul Ameer Matrood, Lobna Hajji-hedfi Plant Protection Bulletin Turkey, 2025 This study investigated the potential of Trichoderma koningii and Rhizophagus irregularis as environmentally friendly as an alternative to chemical control for Fusarium wilt disease in tomato under greenhouse conditions. The research focused on how these T. koningii and R. irregularis interacted and their impact on plant growth and disease resistance. T. koningii alone significantly reduced disease severity (DS = 0.83; DSI = 29.33%) compared to the control group infected with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL). However, the most effective protection came from combining both T. koningii and R. irregularis (DS = 0.33; DSI = 14.33%), achieving a level comparable to healthy controls. This combined treatment not only displayed superior disease resistance but also showed the highest chlorophyll content (Chl a = 5.62 mg g-1 Fresh Weight; Chl b = 3.11 mg g-1 Fresh Weight; Chl T = 8.74 mg g-1 Fresh Weight), indicating a stronger ability to counteract the chlorophyll degradation caused by FOL infection. Furthermore, tomato plants co-inoculated with T. koningii and R. irregularis exhibited the most robust antioxidant response, evident in significantly higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase = 46.17 units g-1 ml-1 min-1, peroxidase activity = 5.66 units g-1 ml-1 min-1, and catalase activity = 104.42 units g-1 ml-1 min-1) and total phenolic content (3.14 mg g-1). These findings suggest that the combined application of T. koningii and R. irregularis has the potential to be a more effective and environmentally friendly strategy for managing Fusarium wilt disease and promoting overall plant health in tomato compared to using either T. koningii or R. irregularis alone.
Biocontrol assessment of Trichoderma species on tomato crops infested by Curvularia Spicifera: toward sustainable farming systems Lobna Hajji-Hedfi, Abdelhak Rhouma, Takwa Wannassi, Aleksandra O. Utkina, Nazih Y. Rebouh Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2025 This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy of three Trichoderma species (Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Trichoderma harzianum, and Trichoderma asperellum) in controlling Curvularia spicifera on tomato plants under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Laboratory-based experiments assays, including direct and indirect confrontation, application of culture filtrates, and inhibition of spore germination, demonstrated significant antagonistic activity by the Trichoderma species. These treatments markedly reduced the mycelial growth (<2.63 cm), mycelial growth rate (<1.28 mm/h), and spore germination (<0.40) of C. spicifera, with T. longibrachiatum exhibiting the strongest antagonistic effect. The efficacy of three Trichoderma spp. and salicylic acid was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. Greenhouse trials further confirmed that T. longibrachiatum (2.83) significantly reduced disease severity compared to the control inoculated with C. spicifera (5.50) at 90 days post-inoculation (dpi). Biochemical analysis revealed an increase in enzyme activity and total protein content in the leaves and roots of Trichoderma-treated plants, with values of 10.09 and 10.44 mg g−1, respectively. These changes reflect an induced defense response. Specifically, T. longibrachiatum consistently induced higher activities of catalase (74.58 and 73.1 μmol H2O2 mg protein−1, respectively), peroxidase (5.35 and 54.91 μmol mg−1 min−1, respectively), ascorbate peroxidase (54.91 and 60.29 μmol mg−1 min−1, respectively), and polyphenol oxidase (14.07 and 9.37 units mg−1 min−1, respectively) in tomato leaves and roots at 90 dpi. Furthermore, T. longibrachiatum significantly enhanced chlorophyll content and other agronomic traits, including root and shoot biomass, fruit yield, and overall plant growth. These findings suggest that T. longibrachiatum is a promising biocontrol agent against C. spicifera in tomato plants, promoting both plant growth and the activation of defense mechanisms.
Production of Microbial Biostimulants as a Response to the Modern Agricultural Need for Productivity and Plant Health Microbial Biostimulants Biorational Pesticides for Management of Plant Pathogens, 2024
Control of Fusarium Wilt Disease of Cucumber Using Rhizospheric Antagonistic Fungi Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq, Abdulnabi Abbdul Ameer Matrood, Abdelhak Rhouma, Higher Agronomic Institute of Chott Mariem Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia, Thakaa Fayez Mohammed, et al. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 2022
Cheatomum globousum Promotes Tomato Growth and Induces Systemic Resistance Against Tobacco mosaic virus. AA Matrood, A Rhouma, MA Al Waeli, W Anwar, L Hajji-Hedfi Arab Journal of Plant Protection 43 (4) , 2025 2025
The Second life of citrus: phytochemical characterization and antifungal activity bioprospection of C. limon and C. sinensis peel extracts against potato rot disease L Hajji-Hedfi, A Rhouma, LKT Al-Ani, O Bargougui, S Tlahig, R Jaouadi, ... Waste and Biomass Valorization 16 (12), 6863-6875 , 2025 2025 Citations: 7
Role of Biochar in Enhancing Soil Health OG Okon, A Rhouma, AAA Matrood New Valley Journal of Agricultural Science 5 (4), 66-75 , 2025 2025
Mycotoxins in Post-Harvest Storage: Health Risks and Mitigation Strategies A Rhouma, AAA Matrood, PB Khaire New Valley Journal of Agricultural Science , 2025 2025
Temporal Variations in Endophytic Fungal Assemblages of Ginkgo biloba LKT Al-Ani, L Hajji-Hedfi, T Wannassi, A Rhouma, A Khlif, O Bargougui, ... Advances in Lichens and Non-Flowering Plants Fungal Endophytes Research … , 2025 2025
Biocontrol assessment of Trichoderma species on tomato crops infested by Curvularia Spicifera : toward sustainable farming systems L Hajji-Hedfi, A Rhouma, T Wannassi, AO Utkina, NY Rebouh Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 9, 1627903 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Impact du changement climatique sur les pathogènes fongiques post-récolte: Risques émergents et stratégies d'adaptation A Rhouma Agropastoralis Scientia 2 (1), 142-156 , 2025 2025
Unveiling the bioactive potential of endophytic fungi A Rhouma, R Rhouma, L Hajji-Hedfi Nova Hedwigia, 109-138 , 2025 2025
Environmental factors affecting Trichoderma spp. and their biocontrol potential in post-harvest disease management AAA Matrood, A Rhouma Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science 10 (2), 285-291 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Determination of the Efficacy of Trichoderma koningii and Rhizophagus irregularis against Fusarium Wilt Disease in Tomato A Rhouma, AAA Matrood, L Hajji-hedfi Plant Protection Bulletin 65 (2), 40-50 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Optimizing safe and sustainable approaches to manage fungal plant diseases A Rhouma Egyptian Journal of Crop Protection 20 (1), 1-21 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Impact of climate change on soil microbial communities A Rhouma, AAA Matrood Egyptian Journal of Phytopathology 53 (1), 130-155 , 2025 2025 Citations: 4
Impact of climate change on post-harvest fungal pathogens: Emerging risks and adaptive strategies A Rhouma Agropastoralis Scientia 2 (01), 142-156 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Innovations in post-harvest disease detection: From molecular diagnostics to AI-based imaging A RHOUMA Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences 6 (2), 78-84 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Microbial inoculants for plant resilience performance: roles, prospects and challenges L Hajji-Hedfi, S Dali, A Rhouma, LKT Al-Ani, N Chihani-Hammas, A Khlif, ... Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection 132 (2), 88 , 2025 2025 Citations: 11
CRISPR for Climate-smart and Sustainable Agriculture JT Chen Elsevier , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Research Paper (Induced Resistance: Viruses) Cheatomum globousum Promotes Tomato Growth and Induces Systemic Resistance Against Tobacco mosaic virus AA Matrood, A Rhouma, MA Al Waeli, W Anwar, L Hajji-Hedfi 2025
Research Paper (Etiology: Fungi) Isolation of Pathogenic and Non-Pathogenic Fungi from Cucurbits Roots Grown in Soil Amended with Organic Manure in Tunisia A Rhouma, IB Salem, M Muhamdi, N Boughalleb-M’Hamdi 2025
Regenerative agriculture: A sustainable path for boosting plant and soil health L Hajji-Hedfi, O Bargougui, A Rhouma, T Wannassi, A Khlif, S Dali, ... Phyton 94 (8), 2255 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Understanding the Influence of Applying Two Culture Filtrates to Control Gray Mold Disease ( Botrytis cinerea ) in Tomato L Hajji-Hedfi, A Rhouma, H Hajlaoui, F Hajlaoui, NY Rebouh Agronomy 13 (7), 1774 , 2023 2023 Citations: 42
Combining melon varieties with chemical fungicides for integrated powdery mildew control in Tunisia A Rhouma, MS Mehaoua, I Mougou, H Rhouma, KK Shah, H Bedjaoui European Journal of Plant Pathology 165 (1), 189-201 , 2023 2023 Citations: 33
Strawberry grey mould, a devastating disease caused by the airborne fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea A Rhouma, L Hajji-Hedfi, S Ben Othmen, K Kumari Shah, AAA Matrood, ... Egyptian Journal of Phytopathology 50 (2), 44-50 , 2022 2022 Citations: 30
Evaluating eco-friendly botanicals as alternatives to synthetic fungicides against the causal agent of early blight of Solanum melongena AAA Matrood, A Rhouma Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection 128 (6), 1517-1530 , 2021 2021 Citations: 30
Comparative Effectiveness of Filamentous Fungi in Biocontrol of Meloidogyne javanica and Activated Defense Mechanisms on Tomato L Hajji-Hedfi, W Hlaoua, AA Al-Judaibi, A Rhouma, N Horrigue-Raouani, ... Journal of Fungi 9 (1), 37 , 2022 2022 Citations: 26
Relationship study among soils physico-chemical properties and Monosporascus cannonballus ascospores densities for cucurbit fields in Tunisia A Rhouma, IB Salem, M M’hamdi, N Boughalleb-M’Hamdi European Journal of Plant Pathology 153, 65–78 , 2019 2019 Citations: 26
Efficacy of two fungicides for the management of Phytophthora infestans on potato through different applications methods adopted in controlled conditions A Rhouma, I Ben Salem, N Boughalleb-M’Hamdi, J Gomez Int J Appl Pure Sci Agric 2 (12), 39-45 , 2016 2016 Citations: 20
Antagonistic potential of certain soilborne fungal bioagents against Monosporascus root rot and vine decline of watermelon and promotion of its growth A Rhouma, I Ben Salem, M M’Hamdi, N Boughalleb-M’Hamdi Novel Research in Microbiology Journal 2 (5), 85-100 , 2018 2018 Citations: 19
Valorization of Capsicum annuum seed extract as an antifungal against Botrytis cinerea L Hajji-Hedfi, A Rhouma, AA Al-Judaibi, H Hajlaoui, F Hajlaoui, ... Waste and Biomass Valorization 15 (4), 2559-2573 , 2024 2024 Citations: 18
Biological and proteomic analysis of a new isolate of the nematophagous fungus lecanicillium sp L Hajji-Hedfi, W Hlaoua, A Rhouma, AA Al-Judaibi, SC Arcos, ... BMC microbiology 23 (1), 108 , 2023 2023 Citations: 18
Determining the pressures on and risks to the natural and human resources in the Chott Sidi Abdel Salam oasis, southeastern Tunisia A Rhouma, I Mougou, H Rhouma Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration 5 (37), 1-11 , 2020 2020 Citations: 18
Botrytis cinerea: The cause of tomatoes gray mold A Rhouma, L Hajji-Hedfi, ME Kouadri, K Atallaoui, AAA Matrood, ... Egyptian Journal of Phytopathology 51 (2), 68-75 , 2023 2023 Citations: 17
Ecology in Chott Sidi Abdel Salam oasis, southeastern Tunisia: cultivated vegetation, fungal diversity and livestock population A Rhouma, I Mougou, H Bedjaoui, H Rhouma, AAA Matrood Journal of Coastal Conservation 25 (6), 52 , 2021 2021 Citations: 15
Phytochemical characterization of forest leaves extracts and application to control apple postharvest diseases L Hajji-Hedfi, A Rhouma, W Hlaoua, KE Dmitry, R Jaouadi, Y Zaouali, ... Scientific Reports 14 (1), 2014 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
Pathogenicity and chemical control of Alternaria sp. on date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) AAA Matrood, CAR Valdespino, MA Al-Waeli, MI Khrieba, A Rhouma Plant Science Today 8 (2), 386-391 , 2021 2021 Citations: 14
Potato late blight: the pathogen, the menace, the sustainable control A Rhouma, L Hajji-Hedfi, K Atallaoui DYSONA–Life Science 5 (1), 37-51 , 2024 2024 Citations: 13
Penicillium and Aspergillus Species Characterization: Adaptation to Environmental Factors and Sensitivity to Aqueous Medicinal Plants Extracts AAA Matrood, A Rhouma Review of Plant Studies 8, 1-11 , 2021 2021 Citations: 12
Microbial inoculants for plant resilience performance: roles, prospects and challenges L Hajji-Hedfi, S Dali, A Rhouma, LKT Al-Ani, N Chihani-Hammas, A Khlif, ... Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection 132 (2), 88 , 2025 2025 Citations: 11
Investigating plant growth promoting and antifungal potential of Metarhizium spp. against Fusarium wilt in tomato A Rhouma, L Hajji-Hedfi, MEA Kouadri, N Chihani-Hammas, PB Khaire Nova Hedwigia, 117-139 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Uniting the Role of Entomopathogenic Fungi against A Rhouma, L Hajji-Hedfi, N Bouqellah, P Khaire, S Dali, O Bargougui, ... Phyton 93 (11), 2857 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
