Nova Biotechnol Chim (2021) 20(1): e809 DOI: 10.36547/nbc.809 1 Nova Biotechnologica et Chimica Potential of the indirect and direct beneficial effects of the use of Trichoderma koningii, Aspergillus niger and Mucor sp. on eggplants plants: Plant growth and systemic resistance induction Abdulnabi Abbdul Ameer Matrood 1 , Abdelhak Rhouma 2,  1 Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Basra, Iraq 2 Higher Agronomic Institute of Chott Mariem Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia  Corresponding author: abdelhak.rhouma@gmail.com Article info Article history: Received: 30 th December 2020 Accepted: 7 th May 2021 Keywords: Chlorophyll content Peroxidase activity Plant growth Solanum melongena L. Trichoderma koningii Abstract Several pathogens fungi responsible for total yield losses are worldwide spread notably in Iraq. The alternatives strategies to decrease disease development are those able to destruct a total or partial population density using eco-friendly approach treatments. In this investigation, we demonstrate the symbiotic interaction with Trichoderma koningii, Aspergillus niger and Mucor sp. on the eggplant plants growth and development, and on the defence response induction. The results revealed that the highest fungal frequency from eggplant rhizosphere was registered for A. niger, followed by Mucor sp. and T. koningii. Seeds treatment with T. koningii showed a higher value of length of shoots (2.83 cm), roots (3.00 cm), and leaves (3.50 cm). Obtained results revealed that T. koningii ameliorates the seedling fresh (3.91 g), dry weight (0.24 g), and accelerates plant length (48.67 cm). Obtained results revealed increasing of peroxidase activity (12.53, 12.68, and 11.28 10-1 units.g.mL.min -1 , respectively) and chlorophyll content (2.11, 1.70, and 1.90 mg.g -1 fresh weight, respectively) eggplants treated with combination Mucor sp. + A. niger + T. koningii, T. koningii + Mucor sp., and T. koningii alone. To control pathogens fungi within integrated management strategies, the biological control should be taken into consideration.  University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava Introduction Several phytopathogenic fungi cause eggplants plant (Solanum melongena L.) damage, resulting in total crop loss. On the other hand, eggplants contribute quite a bit in the agricultural economy in Iraq. Recently, it can be produced throughout the year in greenhouses (offseason and early crops) as well as in the field (seasonal culture). The eggplant production in Iraq was reported to be around 102,452 thousand tons with an average 12.26 t.ha -1 (Saeed Omar and Mohmmed 2020). Iraqi annual economic yield losses due to several diseases have been estimated more than 70 % and about 50 – 100 % decrease in plant yield have been reportedly (Hussein 2016; 2018; El-Debaiky 2018). Unfortunately, strategies to manage plant pathology employed by Iraqi farmers were fungicides (Matrood et al. 2020). The massive application of synthetic chemicals against fungal pathogens poses human health hazards and increases environmental pollution (Rhouma et al. 2016; 2020). Therefore, alternatives strategies are required for mailto:abdelhak.rhouma@gmail.com Nova Biotechnol Chim (2021) 20(1): e809 4 phytopathogens control. Biological control is the best alternative and eco-friendly approach for such treatments, defined as a total or partial destruction of phytopathogens fungi by other organisms, which occur routinely in nature (Rhouma et al. 2018; Matrood et al. 2020). The plants and seeds treatment with beneficial microorganisms including Mucor sp., Aspergillus sp., Trichoderma sp. could eliminate impacts of abiotic, biotic, and physiological stresses (Mondal et al. 2000; Yedidia et al. 2001; Mastouri et al. 2010). Trichoderma species are widely used as biocontrol agents (BCA) against phytopathogens since the 1920s (Heydari and Pessarakli 2010). Trichoderma sp. are plant symbionts and can stimulate plant growth and development (fresh and dry weight, yields, plant length, foliar area, root volume, etc.) by increasing the macronutrients and micronutrients solubility (Altomare et al. 1999; Azarmi et al. 2011; Abd-El-Kareem et al. 2019). Latha et al. (2009), Rhouma et al. (2018) and Inayati et al. (2020) pointed out that the good colonization of Trichoderma spp. on the roots can lower the damages of various phytopathogens and the harmful stresses caused by environmental. It has been documented that some Trichoderma species can induct systemic resistance; a mechanism triggered after the colonization of Trichoderma spp. and regulated the plants by a cascade of specific signal transduction (Kavitha and Umesha 2008; Lorito et al. 2010; Kangasjärvi et al. 2012). This filamentous fungus rarely inducts systemic acquired resistance (Hermosa et al. 2012; Martínez-Medina et al. 2014). Plants naturally have dormant defense genes in healthy plants which are activated by biotic or abiotic inducers. Trichoderma spp. induced systemic resistance by stimulating these genes. Induced resistance is persistent and generally non- specific to biotic and abiotic constraints (Safin et al. 2020; Matrood et al. 2021). Phoka et al. (2020) and Safin et al. (2020) revealed that the treatment with Trichoderma spp. increased catalase and peroxidase activities and that this increase could be related to lignification. Al-Askar et al. (2016) and Ghoniem Abeer et al. (2021) noted that the total chlorophyll content in plant leaves was significantly increased in response to foliar spraying and root inoculation of Trichoderma spp. Plant peroxidases, which play an important role in the growth and differentiation of plants, are widely distributed in higher plants. In addition, they are also enzymes responsible for the lignification of the cell wall and destructive process such as aging and senescence (Velazhahan and Vidhyasekaran 1994; Deborah et al. 2001; Nath et al. 2015). In addition to systemic resistance induction, Trichoderma species are known to have beneficial physiological/growth-promoting effects on plants, including delaying of leaf senescence, greater stress tolerance, exudation of plant growth regulators, solubilization of phosphates, micronutrient and minerals (Fe, Mn and Mg), and secretion of exogenous enzymes, siderophores and vitamins. These physiological effects may contribute to greater yield and plant vigor to overcome biotic and/or abiotic stresses (Azarmi et al. 2011; Abd-El- Kareem et al. 2019; Matrood and Rhouma 2021). The aim of this investigation was to i) evaluate the substantial differences in the response to the symbiotic interaction with T. koningii, A. niger and Mucor sp. on the eggplant plants growth and development, and ii) examine the defence response induction from treated eggplant plants separately or simultaneously with T. koningii, A. niger and Mucor sp. Experimental Fungal community Eggplant rhizosphere was collected in 2020 from four greenhouses (9 m x 60 m) located in Basra Iraq (Chatt-el-Arab, Abu Al-Khaseeb, Hartha and Az Zubayr) at 10 – 20 cm depth. For each greenhouse, soil samples were mixed into a single one. Nine soil samples (100 g) per replicate (3 replicates) were collected in sterile polythene bags from each greenhouse (Rhouma et al. 2019; 2020). The soil-borne fungi number was determined by the method of dilution-plate according to Boughalleb-M’Hamdi et al. (2017). The fungal species identification was carried by observing the macroscopic (growth, colour, aspect of the colony) and microscopic characterization (mycelium, conidiophore, conidia, resistance structures, sexual 2 Nova Biotechnol Chim (2021) 20(1): e809 3 form), after a series of sub-culturing until purification. The fungal species were identified by using blue cotton as a mounting liquid and with reference to different identification keys. Promoting growth and development of eggplant seeds and seedlings by using Trichoderma koningii, Aspergillus niger, and Mucor sp. Three fungal species namely; A. niger, Mucor sp., and T. koningii (highest fungal frequency) were used for this assay. Fungal cultures were developed on PDA medium at 25 °C for 4 days. Four discs (1 mm) of each species were transferred to Erlenmeyer flasks containing 50 ml of PDB (Potato Dextrose Broth). Flasks were incubated at 25 °C for 7 days (for A. niger and Mucor sp.) and 4 days (for T. koningii) in an orbital shaker. The conidial suspensions were filtered through Whatman’s filter paper and were adjusted 10 8 CFU.mL -1 using a haemocytometer. Eggplant (cv. Barcelona) seeds were sterilized by soaking in 3 % solution of NaOCl for 3 min and washed with sterilized distilled water three times. The seed eggplants were treated by dipping into the flask containing a conidial suspension of the different antagonists for 30 min. One control was performed by inoculating the seeds with sterilized distilled water (negative control). The treated eggplant seeds were transferred on the surface of Petri dishes containing cotton balls soaked in sterilized distilled water. In each Petri dish, 10 seeds were placed (with a total of 10 Petri dishes for each replicate (three replicate)). The plates were incubated in the dark at 25 ± 2 °C for 10 days, and then examined the length of the shoot (LS) (cm), root (LR) (cm) and leaf (LL) (cm). LS, LR and LL were assessed on 100 eggplant seedlings per treatment and per replicate (Rhouma et al. 2018; Matrood et al. 2020). Germinated eggplant seeds were placed in a pot containing a mixture of peat (50 %) and vermiculite (50 %) with 3 seedlings per pot. The pots were placed in a greenhouse for 21 days. For each treatment, eggplant plants were randomly distributed with 60 plants per replicate (3 replicates), and the entire experiment was repeated twice. The evaluation parameters were measured within 21 days following inoculation. After determination of the fresh weight (FW) (g), eggplant plants were placed in an oven at 60 °C for 48 h to determine the dry weight (g) (DW). The plant length (PL) (cm) was measured using a flat rule. FW, DW and PL were assessed on 45 eggplant plants per treatment and per replicate (Boughalleb-M’Hamdi et al. 2018; Rhouma et al. 2018). Eggplant leaves were collected at different sampling moments (5, 10, 15 and 21 days after inoculation) to isolate airborne pathogens. The fragments leave of the eggplant (0.5 – 1 cm) were sterilized by soaking in 3 % solution of NaOCl for 2 min and washed with sterilized distilled water 3 times. The samples were dried and inserted on the surface of Petri dishes (9 cm) containing PDA medium amended with streptomycin (60 µg.ml -1 ). In each Petri dish, seven fragments were placed (with total of 30 Petri dishes of each treatment). The plates were incubated in the dark at 25 ± 2 °C for 5 – 7 days, and then examined for fungal analysis. The fungal species identification was carried by observing the macroscopic and microscopic characterization after a series of sub- culturing until purification. The airborne pathogens isolation was assessed on 15 eggplant plants per treatment and per replicate (Rhouma et al. 2016; Matrood et al. 2020). Peroxidase activity and chlorophyll content in eggplant plant treated separately or simultaneously with A. niger, Mucor sp., and T. koningii Sterilized (soaking in 3 % solution of NaOCl for 2 min and washing with sterilized distilled water 3 times) eggplants seeds (cv. Barcelona) were placed in a pot (50 cm diameter) containing a mixture of peat and vermiculite (1 : 1) at the rate of one seedling in each pot. The experimental design was a randomized complete block and arranged in three blocks each of 10 pots per treatment, and the entire experiment was repeated twice. The treatment applications were occurred after 30 days of the eggplant plant growing by inoculated the roots with conidial suspension (10 mL) of the different antagonists (10 8 CFU.mL -1 ). Treatments were applied separately or simultaneously as follows: A. niger alone, Mucor sp. alone, T. koningii alone, A. niger and Mucor sp. inoculated simultaneously, A. niger and T. koningii inoculated simultaneously, T. koningii and Mucor sp. inoculated simultaneously, Nova Biotechnol Chim (2021) 20(1): e809 4 Mucor sp., A. niger, and T. koningii inoculated simultaneously and control (inoculated with distilled water). The treated plants were placed in a greenhouse for 21 days (Rhouma et al. 2018; Matrood et al. 2020). Peroxidase activity and chlorophyll content were conducted 10 days after inoculation and were evaluated on five eggplant leaves per treatment and per replicate (three replicates). Plant tissue extraction for enzyme activities were prepared by freezing a 0.1 g of leaf samples in liquid nitrogen to stop the activity of proteolytic, followed by homogenizing with extraction buffer (1 : 5) (0.1 M phosphate buffer + 0.5 mM EDTA, pH = 7.5), and by centrifugation at 15,000 × g for 20 min at 4 °C. Peroxidase (POX) activity was assayed according to Castillo et al. (1984). 3 ml of reaction mixture composed of 0.5 mL guaiacol, 1 mL phosphate buffer, 0.5 mL H2O2, 0.1 mL enzyme extract, and 0.9 mL water. The absorbance was examined at 470 nm. Chlorophyll content (CChl) was estimated by rinsed the eggplants leaves in 85 % acetone solution according to Mackinney’s method and assessing its absorbance by Spectrophotometer at λ = 663 nm and λ = 645 nm (Mackinney 1941). Arnon (1949) formulated the work done by Mackinney’s to get chlorophyll concentration shown in equation (Eq. 1): CChl = 20.21 A645 + 8.02 A663 (1) Statistical analysis The data were analyzed by ANOVA using the SPSS version 20.0 statistical software (SPSS, SAS Institute, USA), to evaluate parameter values differences. Differences between treatments were determined by least significant difference (LSD) test at 5 % of significance level. Results and Discussion Fungal community The results of fungal species isolated from eggplant rhizosphere of four experimental greenhouses are presented in Table 1. The list includes 15 species belonging to 13 genera. Obtained data showed that Trichoderma koningii, Aspergillus niger, and Mucor sp. were recovered from all sampling greenhouses at 10 – 20 cm depth. The highest fungal frequency was registered for A. niger, followed by Mucor sp., and T. koningii. Another antagonistic fungus may be used in biological control was recovered from the four sites (A. flavus, Penicillium sp., Purpureocillium sp., Chaetomium sp., Trichoderma sp., and Paecilomyces sp.) as well as pathogenic fungus may be caused plant disease (Sclerotinia sp., Fusarium sp., Macrophomina sp., Rhizoctonia solani, Cladosporium sp., and Alternaria sp.). Table 1. Fungal community isolated from eggplant rhizosphere. Locations Fungal isolates Chatt-el-Arab Trichoderma koningii Aspergillus niger A. flavus Mucor sp. Fusarium sp. Penicillium sp. Purpureocillium sp. Abu Al-Khaseeb Trichoderma koningii A. niger A. flavus Mucor sp. Chaetomium sp. Trichoderma sp. Hartha Trichoderma koningii Penicillium sp. A. niger Mucor sp. Macrophomina sp. Sclerotinia sp. Az Zubayr Trichoderma koningii Penicillium sp. A. niger Alternaria sp. Mucor sp. Rhizoctonia solani Cladosporium sp. Paecilomyces sp. Fusarium sp. This prevalence in plants rhizosphere is supported by previous investigations undertaken by Cwalina- Ambroziak and Wierzbowska (2011), Gaddeyya et al. (2012), Onyimba et al. (2014), and Boughalleb- M’Hamdi et al. (2017). Sangeetha et al. (2020) studied fungal diversity in cultivable fields. These authors noted that 15 species belonging to more than 6 genera were recorded at 10 – 20 cm with the Nova Biotechnol Chim (2021) 20(1): e809 3 highest species density for Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. These findings are in concordance with Ratna Kumar et al. (2015) showing that Aspergillus and Penicillium species were dominant in all agricultural fields due to high sporulation capacity. Rosas-Medina et al. (2020) and Sangeetha et al. (2020) pointed out that the species fungal diversity and conidia dispersion has been varied according to the specific conditions, the ecological factors of each soil, the geographical area, the climatic conditions, the host physiology and the specificity of the colonized plant tissue. Promoting growth and development of eggplant seeds and seedlings by using Trichoderma koningii, Aspergillus niger, and Mucor sp. Table 2. Shoot, root, and leaf length of eggplant seedlings treated separately with Trichoderma koningii, Mucor sp., and Aspergillus niger. Treatments Length of shoot [cm] Length of root [cm] Length of leaf [cm] T. koningii 2.83 3.00 3.50 A. niger 2.56 2.83 3.14 Mucor sp. 2.83 2.67 3.32 Control 2.10 2.50 2.00 LSD a <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 a Probabilities associated with individual F tests. Data are the average of 100 eggplant seedlings per treatment and per replicate (3 blocks). Data presented in Table 2 indicated clearly that the three treatments exerted a significant increasing (< 0.05) on shoot (LS), root (LR), and leaf (LL) length of eggplant seedlings after 10 days of incubation. Seeds treatment with T. koningii showed a higher value of LS (2.83 cm), LR (3.00 cm) and LL (3.50 cm) compared to the negative control (2.10, 2.50, and 2.00 cm, respectively). The effect of three treatments on the fresh (FW) and dry (DW) weight and plant length (PL) is shown in Table 3. All treatments increased significantly (<0.01) the FW, DW, and PL as compared with the negative control (2.22 g, 0.13 g, and 35.23 cm, respectively). Results showed that T. koningii were found effective to increase the FW (3.91 g), DW (0.24 g), and PL (48.67 cm). Several Trichoderma species had beneficial effects on plant growth (crop yield increasing, seedling fresh weight and foliar area increasing, root volume development, secondary roots proliferation, etc.) and inducted resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Lindsey and Baker (1967) reported that the treated tomato plants by Trichoderma spp. revealed a significant augmentation of fresh weight (8 %) and height (28 %) plants in sterile conditions. Table 3. Fresh and dry weight and plant length of eggplant treated separately with Trichoderma koningii, Mucor sp. and Aspergillus niger. Treatments Fresh weight [g] Dry weight [g] Plant length [cm] T. koningii 3.91 0.24 48.67 A. niger 2.28 0.16 43.00 Mucor sp. 2.83 0.21 41.67 Control 2.22 0.13 35.23 LSD a <0.05 <0.01 <0.05 a Probabilities associated with individual F tests. Data are the average of 45 eggplant plants per treatment and per replicate (3 replicates). Several Trichoderma species had beneficial effects on plant growth (crop yield increasing, seedling fresh weight and foliar area increasing, root volume development, secondary roots proliferation, etc.) and inducted resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Lindsey and Baker (1967) reported that the treated tomato plants by Trichoderma spp. revealed a significant augmentation of fresh weight (8 %) and height (28 %) plants in sterile conditions. Windham et al. (1986) revealed that the amended cucumber by the propagules of Trichoderma spp. ameliorated the seedling emergence (30 %) comparing to controls. Lynch et al. (1991) explained the beneficial effect of T. harzianum on lettuce plants, which increased the emergence rate and enhanced the dry weights. Rabeendran et al. (2000) showed that the treated cabbage seedlings by Trichoderma spp. are enhanced shoot (91 – 102 %) and root (100 – 158 %) dry weight, and leaf area (58 – 71 %) under glasshouse assays. Yedidia et al. (2001) depicted that Trichoderma spp. increased shoot length (45 %), cumulative root length (75 %), root (95 %) and leaf (80 %) area, and dry weight (80 %). Mastouri et al. (2010) demonstrated that the tomato seeds treatment with T. harzianum increased the vigour of seedling and accelerated the germination of seeds by triggering the plant physiological protection. Lorito et al. (2010) noted that Trichoderma spp. ameliorated the plant growth through the phytohormones and several secondary metabolites production. 5 Nova Biotechnol Chim (2021) 20(1): e809 4 Similarly, Yedidia et al. (2001) pointed out that the roots treatment by Trichoderma spp. enhancd the phosphorus and iron availability to plants. These authors observed a significant augmentation in shoot length, dry weight and leaf area. Altomare et al. (1999) showed that Trichoderma spp. can solubilize many plant nutrients. The uptake of nutrient may stimulate by Trichoderma spp. in two ways by changing the anchorage of root system or by the substances exudation increasing the availability of nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, potassium, etc.) to plants (Mastouri et al. 2010; Azarmi et al. 2011). In the same sense, Altomare et al. (1999), Benítez et al. (2004), Rudresh et al. (2005), Molla et al. (2012) confirmed that Trichoderma spp. augments the macronutrients and micronutrients solubility. Different airborne pathogens at different sampling moments (5, 10, 15, and 21 days after inoculation) are presented in Table 4. A total of 8 species belonging to 4 genera were identified from eggplant leaves. The genera with the highest species number were Alternaria (4) and Cladosporium (2). Present results are in analogy with Boughalleb-M’Hamdi et al. (2017), Sangeetha et al. (2020). Table 4. Airborne pathogens contribution at different sampling moments (5, 10, 15, and 21 days after inoculation). Treatments Sampling moments 5 DAI 10 DAI 15 DAI 21 DAI T. koningii - - - Alternaria alternata A. niger - Cladosporium sp. Cladosporium sp. Alternaria sp. A. alternata Cladosporium sp. A. solani Mucor sp. - A. alternata A. alternata A. alternata Alternaria sp. Control - Cercospora sp. Cladosporium sp. Cercospora sp. Cladosporium sp. A. alternata Alternaria sp. Cercospora sp. Botrytis cinerea A. alternata A. solani Alternaria sp. Data are the average of 15 eggplant plants per treatment and per replicate (3 replicates), DAI: days after inoculation, - Absence of airborne pathogens. Peroxidase activity and chlorophyll content in eggplant plant treated separately or simultaneously with A. niger, Mucor sp., and T. koningii The change of peroxidase activity and chlorophyll content from eggplants treated separately or simultaneously with T. koningii, Mucor sp. and A. niger were increased significantly comparing to the negative control (5.81 10 -1 units.g -1 .mL -1 .min -1 and 0.70 mg.g -1 fw) (Table 5). There was increasing in peroxidase activity in treated plants with Mucor sp. + A. niger + T. koningii (12.53 10 -1 units.g -1 .mL - 1 .min -1 ), T. koningii + Mucor sp. (12.68 10 -1 units.g -1 .mL -1 .min -1 ), and T. koningii (11.28 10 -1 units.g -1 .mL -1 .min -1 ). However, the combination of A. niger and Mucor sp. (8.06 10 -1 units.g -1 .mL - 1 .min -1 ) cause peroxidase activity decrease indicating that there was T. koningii-specific response in peroxidase activity changes (Table 5). Chlorophyll content was higher in eggplants leaves when combined with microorganisms non- pathogenic (Mucor sp. + A. niger + T. koningii) with 2.11 mg.g -1 fw. T. koningii (1.90 mg.g -1 fw) inoculation increases the chlorophyll content as well as A. niger + T. koningii (1.73 mg.g -1 fw) treatment (Table 5). BCAs induce the activity of peroxidase to protect the plants from biotic and/or abiotic damage (Gusain et al. 2014; Ahmad et al. 2015). The peroxidase activity was implicated in the self and growth regulation (respiration, photosynthesis, etc.) (Kavitha and Umesha 2008). This activity was increased in plants treated separately or simultaneously with by Trichoderma spp. comparing to plants treated only with water as reported by Latha et al. (2009), Saksirirat et al. (2009), and Heydari and Pessarakli (2010). Yedidia et al. (2000) reported a higher level of peroxidase, ß-1,3-glucanases, and chitinase when cucumber plants were treated with Trichoderma spp. 6 Nova Biotechnol Chim (2021) 20(1): e809 5 compared to controls. Abd-El-Kareem et al. (2019) revealed that all tested Trichoderma species increased significantly the peroxidase activity. These authors’ also pointed out that the mixture of T. harzianum, T. viride, and T. koningii attained the highest increase of activity of peroxidase with 150 %. Mastouri et al. (2012), Zehra et al. (2017), Herrera-Téllez et al. (2019) and Phoka et al. (2020) documented that the pretreatment of tomato plants with Trichoderma suppressed Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) by enhancing mechanisms antioxidant defense and increased catalase and peroxidase activities. Peroxidase helps in conversion of H2O2 to water and oxygen (Gusain et al. 2014; Ahmad et al. 2015). Table 5. Comparison of peroxidase activity and chlorophyll content of eggplant leaves recorded by eggplant plants treated separately or simultaneously with Trichoderma koningii, Mucor sp., and Aspergillus niger. Treatment Peroxidase activity [10 -1 units.g -1 . mL -1 .min -1 ] Chlorophyll content [mg.g -1 fw] T. koningii 11.28 1.90 A. niger 10.78 1.43 Mucor sp. 9.14 1.66 A. niger + Mucor sp. 8.06 1.67 A. niger + T. koningii 9.74 1.73 T. koningii + Mucor sp. 12.68 1.70 Mucor sp. + A. niger + T. koningii 12.53 2.11 Control 5.81 0.70 LSD a < 0.05 < 0.01 a Probabilities associated with individual F tests. Data are the average of 5 eggplant leaves per treatment and per replicate (3 replicates). The chlorophyll content related to biophysical conditions indicating the plants health and plays critical role in photosynthesis (Moharan and Dutta 2016; Inayati et al. 2020). Photosynthesis plays an important role in the physiology of plant and a critical process in the regulation of plant defense (Kangasjärvi et al. 2012; Pérez-Bueno et al. 2019). Durairaj et al. (2018) pointed out that the increase chlorophyll content in plant influence photosynthesis and enchanted the yield. Harman (1992), Rawat et al. (2012), Vitti et al. (2016), Doni et al. (2017), Fu et al. (2018) and Zhao‐Ying et al. (2018) demonstrated an increase in chlorophyll content in many plant species treated with Trichoderma sp.. Azarmi et al. (2011) showed that the chlorophyll content augmented when plants were inoculated with Trichoderma spp. Chlorophyll content was increased in Trichoderma- treated plants as was observed in melon and cacao plants inoculated. This result suggests an optimal physiological status of plants (Martínez-Medina et al. 2009; 2013; Tchameni et al. 2017). Inayati et al. (2020) demonstrated that the changes of chlorophyll content from treated Vigna radiata leaves by Trichoderma spp. could be defense mechanisms part to limit the availability of nutrients to the R. solani. Conclusions Based on the current results, it was deduced that T. koningii (alone or with other antagonistic fungi) could be employed in leaves treatments as BCA’s to induce S. melongena of systemic resistance, through a specific signal transduction cascade. This antagonistic fungus allowed not only the induction systemic resistance but also the good ability to stimulate plant growth and development by increasing macronutrients and micronutrients solubility. The systemic resistance induction of S. melongena by T. koningii against soilborne and airborne pathogens represents a subject of future research. Acknowledgment The authors are grateful to the review editor and the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions to improve the clarity of the research paper. 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