Endophytic Aspergillus fumigatus modulates growth, oxidative stress, and cadmium accumulation in okra under salinity and heavy-metal stress

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.

Microbial inoculation enhances salt tolerance by modulating secondary metabolites and key biosynthetic genes in Melissa officinalis

Growth stimulation of Gezania splendens plants grown under lead and cadmium stress conditions using mycorrhiza fungus

A pot experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Research Institute Antonides in Alexandria (2022-2023 seasons) to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on Gazania splendens under cadmium (2, 4, 8 ppm) and lead (150, 200, 400 ppm) stress conditions. A randomized block design was used, comprising thirteen treatments with three replications each. Results showed that the highest concentrations of Cd (8 ppm) and Pb (400 ppm) significantly inhibited vegetative growth, root development, and floral traits, while increasing metal accumulation in leaves and reducing carotene and proline content. In contrast, AMF inoculation (200 g/plant) significantly mitigated heavy metal stress, improving all studied growth and physiological parameters. AMF-treated plants showed lower heavy metal uptake and higher proline levels compared to non-inoculated stressed plants. The study demonstrates that AMF is an effective biotechnological tool for enhancing the tolerance of Gazania splendens in heavy metal-contaminated soils

Exploiting halotolerant endophytes to improve growth and salinity resilience of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don

The potential of CR-4 and CR-7 as effective bioinoculants for the sustainable cultivation of C. roseus and possibly other crops in salt-affected areas is demonstrated and strong correlations between microbial traits and plant physiological performance are confirmed.

Salicylic Acid Enhances Salt Tolerance and Growth in Cauliflower

Exogenous nitrogen alleviates cadmium stress in poplar via restructuring rhizosphere soil properties and fungal communities.

Cadmium (Cd) poses a threat to plant growth. Nitrogen (N) has been demonstrated to alleviate Cd phytotoxicity, but the underlying mechanism in woody plants remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine whether exogenous NH₄HCO₃ influences rhizosphere soil properties and fungal communities, thereby enhancing plant growth and Cd phytoaccumulation in Populus yunnanensis Dode. A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with seedlings subjected to four treatments: CK (no additional N and Cd), N (24 mg N kg-1 month-1 supplied as NH₄HCO₃), Cd (20 mg Cd kg-1 month-1), and CN (24 mg N kg-1 and 20 mg Cd kg-1 month-1). Under Cd stress, exogenous NH₄HCO₃ increased the biomass (48.0-78.2%), root development, nutrient content, and Cd accumulation (149.2%). In rhizosphere soil, exogenous NH₄HCO₃ decreased the soil pH and NH4+-N content but increased the NO3--N content, available phosphorus (AP), and soil enzyme activities. Exogenous NH₄HCO₃ also reshaped the composition, structure, and co-occurrence patterns of the rhizosphere fungal community, altering the relative abundances of saprotrophic and ectomycorrhizal fungi, such as Rhizoctonia, Peziza, and Exophiala. Moreover, Rhizoctonia and Peziza were positively and negatively correlated with AP, alkaline phosphatase, root biomass, root surface area (RA), fine root surface area (FRA), and Cd uptake efficiency, respectively. Exophiala was positively correlated with root biomass, RA, and FRA. Overall, exogenous NH₄HCO₃ modulates rhizosphere soil properties and reshapes fungal communities, which may improve plant growth and enhance Cd phytoaccumulation.