Effect of Trichoderma asperellum on Wheat Plants’ Biochemical and Molecular Responses, and Yield under Different Water Stress Conditions

Abstract

Eight Trichoderma strains were evaluated for their potential to protect wheat seedlings against severe (no irrigation within two weeks) water stress (WS). Considering the plant fresh weight and phenotype, T. asperellum T140, which displays 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity and which is able to produce several phytohormones, was selected. The molecular and biochemical results obtained from 4-week-old wheat seedlings linked T140 application with a downregulation in the WS-response genes, a decrease in antioxidant activities, and a drop in the proline content, as well as low levels of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde in response to severe WS. All of these responses are indicative of T140-primed seedlings having a higher tolerance to drought than those that are left untreated. A greenhouse assay performed under high nitrogen fertilization served to explore the long-term effects of T140 on wheat plants subjected to moderate (halved irrigation) WS. Even though all of the plants showed acclimation to moderate WS regardless of T140 application, there was a positive effect exerted by T. asperellum on the level of tolerance of the wheat plants to this stress. Strain T140 modulated the expression of a plant ABA-dependent WS marker and produced increased plant superoxide dismutase activity, which would explain the positive effect of Trichoderma on increasing crop yields under moderate WS conditions. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of T. asperellum T140 as a biostimulant for wheat plants under WS conditions, making them more tolerant to drought.

Fungi of the Trichoderma Genus: Future Perspectives of Benefits in Sustainable Agriculture

“…has the ability to increase the availability of micronutrients, such as copper, zinc, and manganese ions, which affect crop size and plant nutrition [58,79,148]. These observations are confirmed by the studies of Illescas et al [152], which show that T. asperellum increased manganese concentration in wheat grains by 7.01 mg per kg and copper concentration by 0.51 mg per kg of grain. Azarmi et al [153] reported that the treatment of soil and tomato seeds with T. harzianum significantly increased the concentrations of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus in the roots and shoots of the analyzed plants.…”

Trichoderma and its role in biological control of plant fungal and nematode disease

“…Trichoderma plant interactions can not only induce resistance but also improve the resistance of plants to abiotic stress factors (salt, high temperature, UV). Treatment of cucumber seeds with T. asperellum T203 improved the plant’s salt tolerance, and the activities of Mn/Cu SOD and catalase (CAT), and significantly reduced ascorbic acid in the plant ( Illescas et al, 2022 ). Trichoderma can significantly enhance the Na + efflux from the root system of Lycium barbarum and its transport to the upper ground, ensure K + absorption and maintain the ion balance in the plant, thus reducing the damage of PSII caused by ion toxicity and oxidative stress, protecting photosynthetic pigments, maintaining the photosynthetic performance of L. barbarum under salt stress, and reducing biomass loss ( Brotman et al, 2013 ).…”

Advances and New Perspectives in Plant-Microbe Interactions

“…By merging a dataset of molecular and physiological data, the authors demonstrate the plant and soil crosstalk in reacting to different environmental conditions and plant age, and they produce a viable scenario for new plant fertilization. Illescas et al (2022) [ 4 ] describe the use of a selected Trichoderma T140 (out of eight strains, representing different genotypes within the genus) in acclimatizing wheat plants under high N fertilization and water limitation conditions, and its role in maintaining grain yield and quality traits.…”