scholarly journals Fungal Endophytes Promote Tomato Growth and Enhance Drought and Salt Tolerance

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 877
Author(s):  
Mustafa Morsy ◽  
Blake Cleckler ◽  
Hayden Armuelles-Millican

In a search for efficient fungal endophytes that can promote crop production and/or increase crop tolerance to abiotic stress, we isolated and tested various species harbored by wild plants. Sixty-seven endophytic fungal isolates were obtained from drought stressed, poor soil habitats, and inland high salt areas. We extensively tested the roles of Ampelomyces sp. and Penicillium sp. isolates in improving tomato growth and yield. Under greenhouse and field trails, Ampelomyces sp. and Penicillium sp. endophytes proved effective in conferring positive benefits to tomatoes placed under stress as well as under normal growing conditions. Ampelomyces sp. conferred tolerance to tomatoes placed under drought stress in addition to enhancing overall plant growth and fruit yield in comparison to non-symbiotic plants under drought stress. Penicillium sp. conferred tolerance to tomatoes placed under 300 mM salinity stress in addition to enhancing root biomass in comparison to non-symbiotic plants. Both endophytes proved efficient in enhancing plant growth, stress tolerance, recovery, and fruit yield under optimal experimental conditions in comparison to non-symbiotic plants. Field testing of tomato yield showed increased yield of symbiotic tomatoes compared to non-symbiotic ones. This data suggests that both Ampelomyces sp. and Penicillium sp. share a promising potential for improving future agricultural production, particularly with the projected changes in climate in the future.

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zafar-ul-Hye ◽  
Subhan Danish ◽  
Mazhar Abbas ◽  
Maqshoof Ahmad ◽  
Tariq Muhammad Munir

Drought stress retards wheat plant’s vegetative growth and physiological processes and results in low productivity. A stressed plant synthesizes ethylene which inhibits root elongation; however, the enzyme 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate (ACC) deaminase catabolizes ethylene produced under water stress. Therefore, the ACC deaminase producing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can be used to enhance crop productivity under drought stress. Biochar (BC) is an organically active and potentially nutrient-rich amendment that, when applied to the soil, can increase pore volume, cation exchange capacity and nutrient retention and bioavailability. We conducted a field experiment to study the effect of drought tolerant, ACC deaminase producing PGPR (with and without timber waste BC) on plant growth and yield parameters under drought stress. Two PGPR strains, Agrobacterium fabrum or Bacillus amyloliquefaciens were applied individually and in combination with 30 Mg ha−1 BC under three levels of irrigation, i.e., recommended four irrigations (4I), three irrigations (3I) and two irrigations (2I). Combined application of B. amyloliquefaciens and 30 Mg ha−1 BC under 3I, significantly increased growth and yield traits of wheat: grain yield (36%), straw yield (50%), biological yield (40%). The same soil application under 2I resulted in greater increases in several of the growth and yield traits: grain yield (77%), straw yield (75%), above- and below-ground biomasses (77%), as compared to control; however, no significant increases in chlorophyll a, b or total, and photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance in response to individual inoculation of a PGPR strain (without BC) were observed. Therefore, we suggest that the combined soil application of B. amyloliquefaciens and BC more effectively mitigates drought stress and improves wheat productivity as compared to any of the individual soil applications tested in this study.


Author(s):  
Norman Q. Arancon ◽  
Zachary Solarte

Vermiculture is the art, science, and industry of raising earthworms for baits, feeds, and composting of organic wastes. Composting through the action of earthworms and microogranisms is commonly referred to as vermicomposting. Vermiculture is an art because the technology of raising earthworms requires a comprehensive understanding of the basic requirements for growing earthworms in order to design the space and the system by which organic wastes can be processed efficiently and successfully. It is a science because the technology requires a critical understanding and consideration of the climatic requirements, nutritional needs, growth cycles, taxonomy, and species of earthworms suitable for vermicomposting in order to develop a working system that supports earthworm populations to process successfully the intended organic wastes. The nature of the organic wastes also needs to be taken into careful consideration, especially its composition, size, moisture content, and nutritional value, which will eventually determine the overall quality of the vermicomposts produced. The quality of organic wastes also determines the ability of the earthworms to consume and process them, and the rate by which they turn these wastes into valuable organic amendments. The science of vermiculture extends beyond raising earthworms. There are several lines of evidence that vermicomposts affect plant growth significantly. Vermiculture is an industry because it has evolved from a basic household bin technology to commercially scaled systems in which economic activities emanate from the cost and value of obtaining raw materials, the building of systems, and the utilization and marketing of the products, be they in solid or aqueous extract forms. Economic returns are carefully valued from the production phase to its final utilization as an organic amendment for crops. The discussion revolves around the development of vermiculture as an art, a science, and an industry. It traces the early development of vermicomposting, which was used to manage organic wastes that were considered environmentally hazardous when disposed of improperly. It also presents the vermicomposting process, including its basic requirements, technology involved, and product characteristics, both in solid form and as a liquid extract. Research reports from different sources on the performance of the products are also provided. The discussion attempts to elucidate the mechanisms involved in plant growth and yield promotion and the suppression of pests and diseases. Certain limitations and challenges that the technology faces are presented as well.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 2828
Author(s):  
Md. Shakhawat Hossain ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Ashim Sikdar ◽  
Mirza Hasanuzzaman ◽  
Ferdinand Uzizerimana ◽  
...  

Tartary buckwheat is one of the nutritious minor cereals and is grown in high-cold mountainous areas of arid and semi-arid zones where drought is a common phenomenon, potentially reducing the growth and yield. Melatonin, which is an amphiphilic low molecular weight compound, has been proven to exert significant effects in plants, under abiotic stresses, but its role in the Tartary buckwheat under drought stress remains unexplored. We evaluated the influence of melatonin supplementation on plant morphology and different physiological activities, to enhance tolerance to posed drought stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alleviating lipid peroxidation. Drought stress decreased the plant growth and biomass production compared to the control. Drought also decreased Chl a, b, and the Fv/Fm ratio by 54%, 70%, and 8%, respectively, which was associated with the disorganized stomatal properties. Under drought stress, H2O2, O2•−, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents increased by 2.30, 2.43, and 2.22-folds, respectively, which caused oxidative stress. In contrast, proline and soluble sugar content were increased by 84% and 39%, respectively. However, exogenous melatonin (100 µM) could improve plant growth by preventing ROS-induced oxidative damage by increasing photosynthesis, enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase), secondary metabolites like phenylalanine ammonialyase, phenolics, and flavonoids, total antioxidant scavenging (free radical DPPH scavenging), and maintaining relative water content and osmoregulation substances under water stress. Therefore, our study suggested that exogenous melatonin could accelerate drought resistance by enhancing photosynthesis and antioxidant defense in Tartary buckwheat plants.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1730
Author(s):  
Nadiyah M. Alabdallah ◽  
Md. Mahadi Hasan ◽  
Inès Hammami ◽  
Azzah Ibrahim Alghamdi ◽  
Dikhnah Alshehri ◽  
...  

Metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) are regarded as critical tools for overcoming ongoing and prospective crop productivity challenges. MONPs with distinct physiochemical characteristics boost crop production and resistance to abiotic stresses such as drought. They have recently been used to improve plant growth, physiology, and yield of a variety of crops grown in drought-stressed settings. Additionally, they mitigate drought-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the aggregation of osmolytes, which results in enhanced osmotic adaptation and crop water balance. These roles of MONPs are based on their physicochemical and biological features, foliar application method, and the applied MONPs concentrations. In this review, we focused on three important metal oxide nanoparticles that are widely used in agriculture: titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and iron oxide (Fe3O4). The impacts of various MONPs forms, features, and dosages on plant growth and development under drought stress are summarized and discussed. Overall, this review will contribute to our present understanding of MONPs’ effects on plants in alleviating drought stress in crop plants.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Eny Ida Riyanti ◽  
Dwi Ningsih Susilowati ◽  
Karden Mulya ◽  
Edy Listanto

<p class="keyword">Soil bacteria have important roles in biogeochemical cycle for soil fertility and have been manipulated for ecologically-friendly crop production.  The search for beneficial association between microbes and plants for promoting growth and health should be studied for tomato growth improvement. The study aimed to  evaluate 19 microbial isolates which produced indole acetic acid (IAA) affecting growth and development of tomato (Palupi variety), and  molecularly identify the most effective isolates in improving tomato growth based on 16s rDNA sequences. The experiment was conducted in pots using a complete randomized design with three replications. The parameters observed included plant height, plant dry weight, root length, root dry weight, and fruit fresh weight.  The isolates that significantly improved tomato growth were molecularly identified using 16s rRNA sequence. The phenotypic properties such as IAA content and phosphate solubilizing index (PI) of the superior isolates were determined. Results showed that the application of bacterial isolates on tomato significantly increased plant dry weight and fruit yield. From 19 isolates tested, Aj 3.7.1.14 significantly increased plant dry weight, root length, and fruit yield. This isolate produced IAA of about 14.77 ppm and PI of 1.86.  Molecular analysis on Aj 3.7.1.14 demonstrated that the isolate had 89% similarity to <em>Pseudomonas fragi</em>. The identified <em>P. fragi</em> was found to be the most effective isolate for improving tomato growth and fruit yield. Another isolate, <em>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</em> was found to promote root length, root dry weight, and fruit yield. These isolates are potential to be further investigated for field trials</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 898
Author(s):  
Muhammad Sajjad ◽  
Xi Wei ◽  
Lisen Liu ◽  
Fuguang Li ◽  
Xiaoyang Ge

Cotton is a paramount cash crop around the globe. Among all abiotic stresses, drought is a leading cause of cotton growth and yield loss. However, the molecular link between drought stress and vascular growth and development is relatively uncharted. Here, we validated a crucial role of GhWOX4, a transcription factor, modulating drought stress with that of vasculature growth in cotton. Knock-down of GhWOX4 decreased the stem width and severely compromised vascular growth and drought tolerance. Conversely, ectopic expression of GhWOX4 in Arabidopsis enhanced the tolerance to drought stress. Comparative RNAseq analysis revealed auxin responsive protein (AUX/IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and ethylene were significantly induced. Additionally, MYC-bHLH, WRKY, MYB, homeodomain, and heat-shock transcription factors (HSF) were differentially expressed in control plants as compared to GhWOX4-silenced plants. The promotor zone of GhWOX4 was found congested with plant growth, light, and stress response related cis-elements. differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to stress, water deprivation, and desiccation response were repressed in drought treated GhWOX4-virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) plants as compared to control. Gene ontology (GO) functions related to cell proliferation, light response, fluid transport, and flavonoid biosynthesis were over-induced in TRV: 156-0 h/TRV: 156-1 h (control) in comparison to TRV: VIGS-0 h/TRV: VIGS-1 h (GhWOX4-silenced) plants. This study improves our context for elucidating the pivotal role of GhWOX4 transcription factors (TF), which mediates drought tolerance, plays a decisive role in plant growth and development, and is likely involved in different regulatory pathways in cotton.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2540
Author(s):  
Sidra Shafiq ◽  
Nudrat Aisha Akram ◽  
Muhammad Ashraf ◽  
Pedro García-Caparrós ◽  
Omar M. Ali ◽  
...  

A study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of sugar beet extract (SBE) and glycine betaine (GB) in mitigating the adverse effects of drought stress on two maize cultivars. Seeds (caryopses) of two maize cultivars, Sadaf (drought-tolerant) and Sultan (drought-sensitive) were sown in plastic pots. Plants were subjected to different (100%, 75% and 60% field capacity (FC)) water regimes. Then, different levels of SBE (3% and 4%) and GB (3.65 and 3.84 g/L) were applied as a foliar spray after 30 days of water deficit stress. Drought stress significantly decreased plant growth and yield attributes, chlorophyll pigments, while it increased relative membrane permeability (RMP), levels of osmolytes (GB and proline), malondialdehyde (MDA), total phenolics and ascorbic acid as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes in both maize cultivars. Exogenous application via foliar spray with SBR or GB improved plant growth and yield attributes, chlorophyll pigments, osmolyte concentration, total phenolics, ascorbic acid and the activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes (SOD, POD and catalase; CAT), but reduced leaf RMP and MDA concentration. The results obtained in this study exhibit the role of foliar-applied biostimulants (natural and synthetic compounds) in enhancing the growth and yield of maize cultivars by upregulating the oxidative defense system and osmoprotectant accumulation under water deficit conditions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Sinamo ◽  
Nevy Diana Hanafi ◽  
Tri Hesty Wahyuni

A strategic alternative step for the development of cultivation of feed crops is to optimize the use of dry land that has the potential for agricultural and livestock business. One of the forage plants that has good adaptation to less good soil condition and is a pioneer plant, Pueraria javanica legume, so it can be considered as a potential alternative forage as animal feed. The research aims at determining the effect of various levels of drought stress treatment on the plant hight, fresh matter production, dry matter production and root biomass of Pueraria javanica legume. The experiment was conducted in the Greenhouse of the Agriculture Faculty of Universitas Sumatera Utara. The experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments were A1 (25% field capacity (FC)=144 ml/polybag, A2 (50% FC)=288 ml/polybag and A3 (100% FC)=576 ml/polybag. The results show that Pueraria javanica legume can survive and grow up to severe drought stress (25% FC) but the crop production does not increase when compared to the field capacity condition; besides, the legume cannot survive longer in drought condition. The volume of water supplied corresponding to the field capacity makes the plant growth better.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilfuza Jabborova ◽  
Annapurna Kannepalli ◽  
Kakhramon Davranov ◽  
Abdujalil Narimanov ◽  
Yuriy Enakiev ◽  
...  

AbstractDrought stress is the major abiotic factor limiting crop production. Co-inoculating crops with nitrogen fixing bacteria and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) improves plant growth and increases drought tolerance in arid or semiarid areas. Soybean is a major source of high-quality protein and oil for humans. It is susceptible to drought stress conditions. The co-inoculation of drought-stressed soybean with nodulating rhizobia and root-colonizing, PGPR improves the root and the shoot growth, formation of nodules, and nitrogen fixation capacity in soybean. The present study was aimed to observe if the co-inoculation of soybean (Glycine max L. (Merr.) nodulating with Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 and PGPR Pseudomonas putida NUU8 can enhance drought tolerance, nodulation, plant growth, and nutrient uptake under drought conditions. The results of the study showed that co-inoculation with B. japonicum USDA110 and P. putida NUU8 gave more benefits in nodulation and growth of soybean compared to plants inoculated with B. japonicum USDA110 alone and uninoculated control. Under drought conditions, co-inoculation of B. japonicum USDA 110 and P. putida NUU8 significantly enhanced the root length by 56%, shoot length by 33%, root dry weight by 47%, shoot dry weight by 48%, and nodule number 17% compared to the control under drought-stressed. Co-inoculation with B. japonicum, USDA 110 and P. putida NUU8 significantly enhanced plant and soil nutrients and soil enzymes compared to control under normal and drought stress conditions. The synergistic use of B. japonicum USDA110 and P. putida NUU8 improves plant growth and nodulation of soybean under drought stress conditions. The results suggested that these strains could be used to formulate a consortium of biofertilizers for sustainable production of soybean under drought-stressed field conditions.


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