Stimulation of ex vitro growth of Rhododendron hybrids 'Nova Zembla' and 'Alfred' by inoculation of roots with Serendipita indica

Abstract

Experiments were carried out to study the consequences of inoculating Rhododendron ‘Nova Zembla’ and ‘Alfred’ microcuttings and young plants with Serendipita indica (formerly Piriformospora indica), an endophytic fungus. The inoculation at the in vitro rooting stage decreased the in vitro root and shoot quality, but after planting microplants in a greenhouse in a non-fertilised peat substrate, the plants grew 33% taller, with 10% more leaves and with more abundant roots in comparison with the non-inoculated microplants. The young plants rooted in vitro, acclimated in a greenhouse in a peat substrate and inoculated with S. indica at the time of the transplantation to the pots displayed, after 15 months, an increase in the shoot lengths by 35% and 13%, depending on the cultivar, in the leaf number by 47% and in the chlorophyll content by 31% when compared with the non-inoculated plants. The beneficial effect of S. indica on the young Rhododendron plants indicates the possibility of its practical use in the nursery production of this plant.

The Effects of Serendipita indica and Guanidine-Modified Nanomaterial on Growth and Development of Cabbage Seedlings and Black Spot Infestation

“…However, in seed treatments, these effects were insignificant. Similar findings were reported by Trzewik et al [35] that inoculation in substrate resulted in an increase in plant heights and numbers of leaves. The results also agree with Dolatabad et al, Bajaj et al,, all reporting increased plant growth in S. indica-colonized plants.…”

Protection of Highbush Blueberry Plants against Phytophthora cinnamomi Using Serendipita indica

“…S. indica is known for its positive effect on the growth and development of plants, especially young plants, of many species, e.g., during acclimatisation of microplants produced in vitro [16,29]. In our experiments with rhododendron [30], S. indica significantly increased the height of shoots by 36% in 'Nova Zembla' and 13% in 'Alfred' after 7 months of the experiment and 33-36% after 15 months.…”

Application and Improvement of In Vitro Culture Systems for Commercial Production of Ornamental, Fruit, and Industrial Plants in Poland

“…In subsequent experiments, this endophyte was administered to the substrate during acclimatization of the microplants. With such application, P. indica enhanced the resistance of Rhododendron and blueberries against Phytophthora cinnamomi and P. citricola Trzewik, Marasek-Ciołakowska, & Orlikowska, 2020). e use of mycorrhizal fungi in vitro is ineffective because they are difficult to obtain in a non-contaminated state.…”