Enhancing tomato crop resilience to water stress: the role of Trichoderma afroharzianum T22 and Nesidiocoris tenuis management

Global warming substantially threatens agricultural systems worldwide, with specific consequences for tomatoes, such as increased water demands and heightened pest pressures. Adopting sustainable farming practices is imperative, and Trichoderma species emerge as a valuable tool that enhances tomato growth, pest resilience, and stress tolerance. The inte-gration of this approach into existing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies requires careful consideration. A paradox arises in Southern Europe, where tomato cultivation heavily relies on predatory mirid bugs, especially Nesidiocoris tenuis, for pest control. While N. tenuis effectively controls tomato pests, it can also harm plants by inducing callose deposits, wilting, and yield losses, mainly when prey availability is scarce. This study delves into critical questions surrounding the concurrent use of T. afroharzianum T-22 and N. tenuis in tomato crops under water stress. We employed a randomized block design to examine three key factors: 1) varying levels of water stress, 2) the presence or absence of T. afroharzianum T-22 inoculation, and 3) the release or non-release of N. tenuis. Our findings demonstrate that T. afroharzianum T-22 enhances tomato growth under water stress and mitigates the adverse impact of N. tenuis on plant development. Additionally, T. afro-harzianum T-22 inoculation did not affect N. tenuis performance, but it did reduce oxidative stress caused by N. tenuis, thus diminishing the plant damage attributed to this predatory mirid. These results hold significance for advancing pest management and promoting sustainable horticulture in a world grappling with the challenges of a warming climate.