Endophytic colonization of Eucalyptus by Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae and their effects on plant growth

Growth promotion in tomato by endophytic entomopathogenic and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: impacts on early development and post-transplant effect.

The results indicate that early inoculation with B. bassiana and R. irregularis can be an effective strategy to improve plant development, although additional studies are required to evaluate long-term effects and final yield.

Synergistic Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Rhizobia on Nutrient Acquisition, Growth Promotion, and Protein Profile Optimization in Alfalfa

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia establish mutualistic symbioses with plant roots. This study focused on their effects on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth, root morphology, nutritional quality, photosynthetic characteristics, and protein fractions; eight treatments were established: single inoculation with three AMF strains (Funneliformis mosseae, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Glomus versiforme) or Sinorhizobium meliloti (Sm), dual co-inoculation of each AMF with Sm, and a non-inoculated control (CK). Results showed that all AMF successfully colonized alfalfa roots, with co-inoculation increasing both mycorrhizal colonization rate and nodule number. The F. mosseae × Sm treatment achieved the highest colonization (83.3%) and nodule count (76 per plant). Across two years, this treatment significantly increased aboveground biomass, plant height, and stem diameter (p < 0.05). C. etunicatum × Sm significantly reduced acid detergent fiber content, while dual inoculation markedly improved net photosynthetic rate and light-use efficiency. All inoculations increased rapidly (PB1) and intermediate-degradable protein (PB2) but decreased non-protein nitrogen (PA) and bound protein (PC). In conclusion, AMF and rhizobia exhibit significant synergistic effects. Co-inoculation (F. mosseae × Sm and C. etunicatum × Sm) enhances alfalfa productivity by optimizing root structure, improving photosynthesis, and regulating nitrogen metabolism.

Agroecological functions of Trichoderma harzianum, an endophytic fungus of the avocado root: its role in plant growth, defense and multitrophic interactions.

The results support the use of T. harzianum as an effective bioinoculant to enhance plant growth and suppress pests, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic agrochemicals.

Evaluation of the Integrated use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Trichoderma spp. for Yield Improvement in Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

The present study evaluated the synergistic effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and beneficial rhizospheric microorganisms on the growth, root colonisation, and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L.), a crop traditionally regarded as a poor or non-mycorrhizal host. A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 at the Research Farm of Nirmal Seeds Pvt. Ltd., Maharashtra, India, using the mustard variety NIMOH-8. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised soil application of a mycorrhizal powder formulation alone or in combination with Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Standard agronomic practices were followed throughout the study. Plant growth, yield attributes, and root colonisation were assessed at harvest, and roots were stained using the Phillips and Hayman (1970) technique. The application of bio-inoculants significantly improved growth and yield parameters compared with the untreated control. The highest number of siliquae per plant (541.9), seed yield per plant (14.13 g), and seed yield (23.28 q ha⁻¹) were recorded in T4, which comprised mycorrhizal powder formulation (250 g ha⁻¹) + Trichoderma viride WP (2.5 kg ha⁻¹). Treatment T7 (mycorrhiza + T. viride + Pseudomonas fluorescens) produced comparable results, with 525.7 siliquae per plant and a yield of 23.15 q ha⁻¹. Microscopic examination of stained roots confirmed AMF colonisation in the combined inoculation treatments, characterised by intraradical hyphae, vesicles, external mycelium, and arbuscules; no fungal colonisation was observed in the untreated control. Enhanced root colonisation was associated with improved plant growth and productivity, indicating a positive interaction between AMF and beneficial rhizospheric microorganisms. The study demonstrated that integrating AMF with Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens enhanced mycorrhizal establishment, nutrient acquisition, and mustard productivity. Among the treatments tested, the combination of mycorrhiza and T. viride was the most effective. These findings indicate the potential of microbial consortia as an environmentally compatible strategy for improving mustard yield and crop productivity.

Greenhouse evaluation of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Peribacillus frigoritolerans, and Bacillus subtilis for biological control of charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina in sesame

The results showed that the PGPR treatments evaluated under M. phaseolina infection conditions played a role in both disease suppression and sesame growth enhancement, such that the PGPR-treated cultivar “Shevin” simultaneously showed reduced infection and improved growth traits.

Enhancement of Ex Vitro Acclimatization in Strawberry Plantlets through Endophytic Сolonization by Beauveria bassiana