Dark septate endophytes isolated from a xerophyte plant promote the growth of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus under drought condition

Abstract

Dark septate endophytes (DSE) may facilitate plant growth and stress tolerance in stressful ecosystems. However, little is known about the response of plants to non-host DSE fungi isolated from other plants, especially under drought condition. This study aimed to seek and apply non-host DSE to evaluate their growth promoting effects in a desert species, Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, under drought condition. Nine DSE strains isolated from a super-xerophytic shrub, Gymnocarpos przewalskii, were identified and used as the non-host DSE. And DSE colonization rate (30–35%) and species composition in the roots of G. przewalskii were first reported. The inoculation results showed that all DSE strains were effective colonizers and formed a strain-dependent symbiosis with A. mongolicus. Specifically, one Darksidea strain, Knufia sp., and Leptosphaeria sp. increased the total biomass of A. mongolicus compared to non-inoculated plants. Two Paraconiothyrium strains, Phialophora sp., and Embellisia chlamydospora exhibited significantly positive effects on plant branch number, potassium and calcium content. Two Paraconiothyrium and Darksidea strains particularly decreased plant biomass or element content. As A. mongolicus plays important roles in fixing moving sand and delay desertification, the ability of certain DSE strains to promote desert plant growth indicates their potential use for vegetation recovery in arid environments.

Impact of dark septate endophytes on tomato growth and nutrient uptake

“…AMF also affect soil water retention (Auge et al 2001;Daynes et al 2013). Although DSE fungi are frequent in arid and semiarid ecosystems, the effect of these fungi on the drought stress resistance of plants has seldom been addressed in experiments (Li et al 2018).…”

Bioactive Properties of the Aqueous Extracts of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) Roots

“…Unidentified metabolites are shown with measured exact masses. CL = cluster numbers (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) of the metabolites, -= outlier. The symbol x denotes that the listed metabolite has been putatively annotated from the extracts and fractions showing the listed biological activity.…”

“…The endophytic fungi of this study were obtained from dried peatlands, which are harsh environments causing stress via factors such as alternating water levels. Endophytic fungi and dark septate endophytic species are known to improve the host plant stress tolerance and growth as well as increase the water and nutrient uptake of the host [5]. However, less is known about the mechanism behind the phenomenon.…”

“…Drained peatlands express alternating drought and temperature levels and therefore create abiotic stress conditions for the growth and survival of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L., Pinaceae) seedlings. Dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi are common in the roots of Scots pine and have been reported to contribute to the stress tolerance and increased growth of the host [5]. We have previously described the metabolites in the aqueous extracts of three DSE fungi, Acephala applanata (Leotimycetidae), Phialocephala fortinii (Leotimycetidae), and Humicolopsis cephalosporioides (Sordariomycetidae)/Coniochaeta mutabilis (Sordariomycetidae) (The collection of Natural Resources Institute Finland) isolated from the Scots pine roots growing on drained peatlands.…”

Harnessing the Phytotherapeutic Treasure Troves of the Ancient Medicinal Plant Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Associated Endophytic Microorganisms

“…Further, endophytic fungi are well-established producers of a plethora of bioactive compounds and extracellular enzymes such as amylase, cellulase, chitinase, chitosonase, laccase, lipase, pectinase, and protease [312][313][314][315]. Being colonizers of host tissues, the endobiome plays a crucial role in creating an extra layer of protection to their host during several adverse conditions [316,317,373]. They also modulate host metabolism for enhanced production of high-value secondary metabolites in medicinal plants like Withania, Coleus, Papaver; this positive modulation is a result of significant-high expression of genes and transcription factors of biosynthetic pathways [318][319][320].…”