Fungal endophytes alleviate salt stress in wheat in terms of growth, ion homeostasis and osmoregulation
Mohamed Bouzouina, Rabiaa Kouadria, Brahim Lotmani
Abstract
AIMS: This study examined the ability of isolated endophytic fungi to confer salt stress tolerance on wheat. METHODS AND RESULTS: ), wheat emergence was enhanced only by A. chlamydospora. Additionally, A. chlamydospora and Fusarium equiseti enhanced root growth under saline conditions. The tested endophytes exhibited high proline content relative to control. Chaetomium coarctatum showed the highest leaf sugar level under saline stress. CONCLUSION: Endophytic fungi bio-inoculation improved wheat salt stress tolerance. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The capacity of endophytic fungi to increase wheat tolerance under salinity stress and to improve growth could be applicable to agriculture.