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<p>Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) faces considerable challenges in terms of growth and productivity due to soil salinity, which is a major constraint to agricultural success. This study investigated the potential of fungal endophytes to enhance wheat growth and improve salt tolerance by influencing the ascorbate–glutathione cycle and gene expression. Experiments were conducted, using wheat seedlings (PBW-343), inoculated with endophytic fungi (<i>Cladosporium parahalotolerant</i> and <i>Aspergillus medius</i>) isolated from root of salt-tolerant wheat genotypes (KRL-213 and KRL-19) from the previous study. Endophytic fungi were used individually and in combination. 21 day old seedlings were exposed to 100&#xa0;mM NaCl in the presence and absence of fungal endophytes. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms, gene expression analysis was performed on key genes APX, SOD, GR, DHAR, and MDHAR. Seedlings treated with endophytic fungi (consortium form) significantly enhanced the sugar (41.58%) protein (53.32%), chlorophyll content (51.72%), carotenoid content (62%), and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) (35.71%) compared to control under salt stress. The lipid peroxidation levels were significantly reduced (45.54%) in plants inoculated with fungal endophytes. Salt stress increased APX (20.9%), SOD (12%) activities and decreased GR (28.12%), MDHAR (25.99%),) and DHAR (33.05%) activities. Endophytic fungi inoculated with salt-stressed seedlings enhanced the above-mentioned enzymatic activities (SOD-88.83%, APX-39.4%, DHAR- 85%, MDHAR- 41.4% and GR-93.22%) respectively, compared to the salt-stressed plants without fungal endophytes, as well as in the ratios of AsA/DHA (57.81%) and GSH/GSSG (74.17%). Endophytic fungi mitigate salt-induced ionic imbalance in plants by reducing Na⁺ and Cl⁻ accumulation while enhancing K⁺ and PO₄<sup>3</sup>⁻ uptake, thereby improving plant tolerance to salinity. The endophytic fungi enhanced the transcript levels of SOD, DHAR, APX, GR, and MDHAR genes compared to the control. The present study found that the expression levels of several genes associated with the ascorbate–glutathione cycle were upregulated in endophyte-inoculated plants, indicating a more efficient antioxidant system capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species.</p>

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Fungal Endophytes Promote Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. PBW-343) Growth and Enhance Salt Tolerance Through Improvement of Ascorbate Glutathione Cycle and Gene Expression

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月16日

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  • Priyanka Prajapati,
  • Prashasti Pandey,
  • Deepak Kumar,
  • Ravindra Nath Kharwar

摘要

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) faces considerable challenges in terms of growth and productivity due to soil salinity, which is a major constraint to agricultural success. This study investigated the potential of fungal endophytes to enhance wheat growth and improve salt tolerance by influencing the ascorbate–glutathione cycle and gene expression. Experiments were conducted, using wheat seedlings (PBW-343), inoculated with endophytic fungi (Cladosporium parahalotolerant and Aspergillus medius) isolated from root of salt-tolerant wheat genotypes (KRL-213 and KRL-19) from the previous study. Endophytic fungi were used individually and in combination. 21 day old seedlings were exposed to 100 mM NaCl in the presence and absence of fungal endophytes. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms, gene expression analysis was performed on key genes APX, SOD, GR, DHAR, and MDHAR. Seedlings treated with endophytic fungi (consortium form) significantly enhanced the sugar (41.58%) protein (53.32%), chlorophyll content (51.72%), carotenoid content (62%), and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) (35.71%) compared to control under salt stress. The lipid peroxidation levels were significantly reduced (45.54%) in plants inoculated with fungal endophytes. Salt stress increased APX (20.9%), SOD (12%) activities and decreased GR (28.12%), MDHAR (25.99%),) and DHAR (33.05%) activities. Endophytic fungi inoculated with salt-stressed seedlings enhanced the above-mentioned enzymatic activities (SOD-88.83%, APX-39.4%, DHAR- 85%, MDHAR- 41.4% and GR-93.22%) respectively, compared to the salt-stressed plants without fungal endophytes, as well as in the ratios of AsA/DHA (57.81%) and GSH/GSSG (74.17%). Endophytic fungi mitigate salt-induced ionic imbalance in plants by reducing Na⁺ and Cl⁻ accumulation while enhancing K⁺ and PO₄3⁻ uptake, thereby improving plant tolerance to salinity. The endophytic fungi enhanced the transcript levels of SOD, DHAR, APX, GR, and MDHAR genes compared to the control. The present study found that the expression levels of several genes associated with the ascorbate–glutathione cycle were upregulated in endophyte-inoculated plants, indicating a more efficient antioxidant system capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species.