Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus terreus Nf1 Enhances Salt Tolerance and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Defense in Maize
Salinization is associated with a high content of sodium chloride (NaCl) in the soil, which affects adverse plant growth and agricultural yield. In this study, the role of endophytic fungus Aspergillus terreus Nf1 in the alleviation of NaCl stress in maize seedlings was investigated. The fungus was grown in Czapek medium with 100 mM and 200 mM NaCl. It resulted in growth promotion and an increase in flavonoids, salicylic acid (SA), and phenols; however, there was a decrease in the concentration of IAA and soluble sugars. Exposure to 70 mM and 140 mM NaCl in maize seedlings led to decreased growth in terms of length of roots and shoots as well as fresh and dry weights. Growth parameters were significantly improved in the case of treatment with A. terreus Nf1. In treated plants, there were increases in flavonoids, SA, phenolics, proline, and chlorophyll content as well as in MDA content reduction. The endophyte enhances maize's salt resilience, demonstrating that NF1 promotes growth by mitigating salt stress effects.