PROSPECTING ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI FOR IMPARTING ABIOTIC STRESS TOLERANCE IN MUNG BEAN [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] AND RICE (Oryza sativa L.)
Loading...
Date
2023-02-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Endophytes are microorganisms that complete their life cycle inside living plant tissue without causing any signs of diseases. They improve plant growth and impart tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, 48 fungal endophytes isolated from plants of North Western Himalayan cold desert were screened against drought and salinity stresses using poly ethylene glycol (8000MW) and NaCl respectively for mung bean (KKM-3) and rice (IR-64). Of which, five isolates, P-82, P-39, P-31, P-10 and Z-24) in Mung bean and P-82, P-31, Z-24, Z-22 and Z-13 in rice showed drought tolerance in-vitro. They were identified as Ulocladium sp. (P-82), Fusarium avenaceum (P-39), Chaetomium sp. (P-31), Fusarium tricinctum (P-10), Fusarium acuminatum (Z-24) and Subramaniula flavipila (Z-13). Out of six isolates, the Fusarium avenaceum and Chaetomium sp. significantly enhanced the growth of Mung bean and the F. acuminatum increased the growth of rice seedlings under drought stress. Further, the 48 isolates screened for salt tolerance, only four isolates (P-82, P-39, P-31 and P-10) showed salt stress tolerance in both the crops. Of which, the F. avenaceum (P-39) showed significantly increased growth of mung bean and rice at LC50 value of NaCl concentration. Inoculation of these endophytes increased the growth and yield of stress induced (drought and salinity) mung bean and rice plants under greenhouse conditions. The endophyte treated plants also increased the photosynthetic pigments, relative water content, proline and growth hormone production compared to uninoculated plants under stress. Thus, the study revealed that the fungal endophytes can mitigate the abiotic stresses and improve the growth and yield of Mung bean and Rice.
Description
Thesis