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

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

The positive effects of endophytic colonization on plant growth are associated with the production of bioactive metabolites by the species, via mechanisms that are not yet fully understood.

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.

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.

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

Enhancing Induced Resistance In Tomato Plants Against Root Wilt Disease Using The Mycorrhizal Fungus Glomus Mosseae And Its Impact On Secondary Phenolic Compound Accumulation

Root wilt is a devastating disease affecting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) yields globally and is caused by soil-borne fungal pathogens. PurposeThis study was initiated to test the effect of the arbuscular- mycorrhizal- fungus (AMF), Glomus mosseae (GM), on the expression of induced systemic resistance against the wilt pathogen of areca palm, Fusarium brachygibbosum (Fb). A greenhouse experiment was performed under four treatments: Control, GM-only (T1), Fb-only (T2) and a mixture of GM+Fb (T3). The findings showed that GM inoculation resulted in considerably higher growth and physiological attributes. At the 10th week, GM alone resulted in the tallest plants (94.75 cm) and flowering of plants (mean = 6.5) only in the treated group. Inoculation with Fb elicited drastic growth retardation and decreased total chlorophyll to 354.82, however, dual inoculation (GM+Fb) dramatically recovered plant height (77.75 cm) and chlorophyll content (454.65). THE TPC measurement showed a remarkably powerful "priming" effect in GM + Fb treatment which was the largest among the groups (226.42 mg/g), the group with the highest TPC only containing Fb (179,62 mg/g). In addition, the activities of defence-related enzymes, Peroxidase (POD) and Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO), peaked in GM+Fb group (0.11 and 0.62 respectively), suggesting a strong enhancement of the antioxidant protection of plants. ConclusionsCollectively, these data support the conclusion that G. mosseae protects pine seedlings from F. brachygibbosum by a morphological and biochemical synergetic mechanism of resistance. From an applied perspective, this relationship embodies an environmentally sound and sustainable approach to control root wilt diseases within integrated pest management programs. Giuseppe G. Casaluce, 2015

Effects of Funneliformis mosseae and Mycorrhiza Helper Bacteria on Growth Enhancement of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under a Hydroponic Cultivation System

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be used as microbial fertilizers. Hydroponic cultivation offers significant advantages by reducing factors that cause damage during traditional soil-based cultivation. Furthermore, mycorrhiza helper bacteria (MHB) can improve mycorrhizal fungal colonization. The objective of this study was to examine the function of Funneliformis mosseae in promoting rice growth under soilless culture using a hydroponic cultivation system with two different levels of nutrient supply: A and B (high and low levels). Furthermore, Bacillus methylotrophicus was isolated from Funneliformis mosseae spores to examine its potential to promote rice growth in combination with AMF. The findings illustrated that three-month-old rice plants at the ripening stage inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae showed the highest increases in height, fresh weight of leaves and roots, and dry root weight under low levels of nutrient supply, with successful AMF root colonization of 78.67%. Additionally, co-cultivation of Funneliformis mosseae and Bacillus methylotrophicus significantly enhanced plant height, fresh weight of leaves and roots, and dry root weight under low levels of nutrient supply compared to uninoculated plants under high levels of nutrient supply. High levels of nutrient supply significantly decreased Funneliformis mosseae colonization of rice roots. These findings suggest that optimal levels of nutrient supply are necessary for rice growth with AMF colonization because high nutrient supply restricts plant growth and reduces AMF root colonization. However, Bacillus methylotrophicus did not demonstrate a strong relationship with AMF colonization. Based on these findings, AMF can be applied to hydroponic cultivation systems. Nevertheless, the MHB-AMF relationship should be studied further.