Nematophagus fungi increasing phosphorus uptake and promoting plant growth

Some nematophagous fungi control nematodes and are also able to compensate the damage they cause in plant roots. However, the effects of these fungi on plant growth promotion are still underexplored. Here, we evaluated if some nematophagus fungi (Pochonia chlamydosporia and Duddingtonia flagrans) may increase nutrient bioavailability and promote plant growth. A growth chamber assay and a greenhouse study (both without nematodes) were carried out to assess the effects of the fungi on growth and phosphorus uptake by tomato plants. The use of P. chlamydosporia and D. flagrans substantially increased growth and the uptake of nutrients by tomato plants (mainly phosphorus - up to 70% in the best treatments). We conclude that P. chlamydosporia and D. flagrans are potentially useful not just for nematode control but also for promoting plant growth and for increasing nutrient use efficiency.