Effects of the Rhizosphere Fungus Cunninghamella bertholletiae on the Solanum lycopersicum Response to Diverse Abiotic Stresses

Abstract

This study examined the efficiency of fungal strain (Cunninghamella bertholletiae) isolated from the rhizosphere of Solanum lycopersicum to reduce symptoms of salinity, drought and heavy metal stresses in tomato plants. In vitro evaluation of C. bertholletiae demonstrated its ability to produce indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA), ammonia and tolerate varied abiotic stresses on solid media. Tomato plants at 33 days’ old, inoculated with or without C. bertholletiae, were treated with 1.5% sodium chloride, 25% polyethylene glycol, 3 mM cadmium and 3 mM lead for 10 days, and the impact of C. bertholletiae on plant performance was investigated. Inoculation with C. bertholletiae enhanced plant biomass and growth attributes in stressed plants. In addition, C. bertholletiae modulated the physiochemical apparatus of stressed plants by raising chlorophyll, carotenoid, glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents, and reducing hydrogen peroxide, protein, lipid metabolism, amino acid, antioxidant activities, and abscisic acid. Gene expression analysis showed enhanced expression of SlCDF3 and SlICS genes and reduced expression of SlACCase, SlAOS, SlGRAS6, SlRBOHD, SlRING1, SlTAF1, and SlZH13 genes following C. bertholletiae application. In conclusion, our study supports the potential of C. bertholletiae as a biofertilizer to reduce plant damage, improve crop endurance and remediation under stress conditions.

The synergy of halotolerant PGPB and mauran mitigates salt stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) via osmoprotectants accumulation

“…All the soluble sugars included in this study (glucose, fructose, sucrose and myo‐inositol) significantly increased under salinity conditions with the treatment N3 + EPS, certainly leading (Figure 4A‐D) to osmotic adjustment and the cell membrane protection from oxidative stress as described earlier (Kazerooni et al, 2022). In fact, Kazerooni et al (2022) have demonstrated that a fungal strain reduces symptoms of salinity in tomato plants due to the accumulation of glucose, fructose and sucrose. Myo‐inositol metabolism is also important for the response to environmental stresses.…”

“…The efficiency of N3 in combination with EPS to provide salt stress tolerance to tomato plants was confirmed by analyzing the induction of soluble sugars, amino acids, polyamines or phenols (Figures 4 and 5). osmotic adjustment and the cell membrane protection from oxidative stress as described earlier (Kazerooni et al, 2022). In fact, Kazerooni et al (2022) have demonstrated that a fungal strain reduces toms of salinity in tomato plants due to the accumulation of glucose, fructose and sucrose.…”

“…osmotic adjustment and the cell membrane protection from oxidative stress as described earlier (Kazerooni et al, 2022). In fact, Kazerooni et al (2022) have demonstrated that a fungal strain reduces toms of salinity in tomato plants due to the accumulation of glucose, fructose and sucrose. Myo-inositol metabolism is also important for the response to environmental stresses.…”

Unveiling the Potential of Bioinoculants and Nanoparticles in Sustainable Agriculture for Enhanced Plant Growth and Food Security

“…In most cases, bacterial populations immediately decrease after being inoculated, reducing bacterial activity in the rhizosphere. This happens because a variety of variables influence bacterial colonization within plants [27]. To avoid this deterioration in the field, PGPB requires either a suitable microenvironment or longterm structural shielding.…”

“…However, the application of bioinoculants and nanoparticles has shown promising results in improving plant resilience and reducing the detrimental effects of these stressors. Bioinoculants establish nonsymbiotic or symbiotic relationships with plants, promoting growth, nutrient uptake, and defense mechanisms [27]. One of the key ways bioinoculants enhance plant resistance to biotic stress is through induced systemic resistance (ISR).…”