Endophytic Fungi Controls the Physicochemical Status of Maize Crop under Salt Stress

Abstract

Salt stress is one of the abiotic stresses which negatively affects the growth and yield of different plants world-wide. The purpose of the present investigation was to analyze the physiological and biochemical parameters of maize plants exposed to salt stress with or without fungal association. The results indicated that salinity negatively affected the growth attributes, biochemical parameters and ionic status in maize. In contrast, WSQ association has improved the growth parameters, antioxidant enzyme activity, IAA and metabolites, N, P, Ca, K and Mg concentrations in maize. Moreover, WSQ association reduced lipid-peroxidation, Na, Cl, Na/K and Ca/K ratio in maize during salinity stress. The results of the present study concluded that the endophyticfungal strain WSQ can serve as a good strategic-tool to improve maize growth under salt-stress.

Growth-Promoting Endophytic Fungus (Stemphylium lycopersici) Ameliorates Salt Stress Tolerance in Maize by Balancing Ionic and Metabolic Status

“…Previously, the endophytic association of A. awamori increased the level of carbohydrates in mung bean plants under both controlled and salt-stressed conditions. The increased level of soluble sugars in salt stress in A. awamori -associated mung bean could be attributed to molecular defense against oxidative damage (Ali et al, 2022 ). The association of B. subtilis combined with AMF has previously affected the activity of enzymes such as nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase under salinity resulting in increased nitrogenase activity.…”

“…According to Alen'kina and Nikitina ( 2020 ), plants under salt stress showed an increase in ascorbate peroxidase activity. SOD, peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activity were all higher in endophyte-colonized plants, implying that the coordination of POD and CAT activity, as well as SOD activity, played a key role in the O 2− and H 2 O 2 scavenging process (Ali et al, 2022 ). The current study also showed that inoculating maize plants with S. lycopersici improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and ascorbate peroxidase) and the level of lipid peroxidation in both salinity and normal environments.…”

“…Primary metabolites (total carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and proline) and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid content) in fresh leaves as described by Ali et al ( 2022 ). Fresh leaves (0.3 g) were ground in 3 ml of 80% acetone before being centrifuged at 11,200 rcf ( g Force) for 5 min.…”

“…Total tannins in plants were quantified as mentioned by Ali et al ( 2022 ). A 5-g leaf sample was homogenized in 50 ml acetone (70%) and incubated for 6 h in a shaking incubator.…”

“…Therefore, scientists all across the world are working on low-cost, quick-to-implement strategies to boost agricultural output and sustainability under various environmental stresses. In this context, using beneficial endophytic fungal isolates with growth-promoting abilities to boost agricultural production and sustainability under salt stress provides an option (Ali et al, 2022 ). Recent research has shown that plants form associations with various microorganisms through their roots and above-ground portions, particularly endophytes, which can benefit plants in both normal and stressful conditions (Yu et al, 2019 ).…”