Effect of Pisolithus tinctorious on Physiological and Hormonal Traits in Cistus Plants to Water Deficit: Relationships among Water Status, Photosynthetic Activity and Plant Quality.

Beatriz Lorente,Inés Zugasti,María Jesús Sánchez-Blanco,Emilio Nicolás,María Fernanda Ortuño

doi:10.3390/plants10050976

Beatriz Lorente, Inés Zugasti + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10050976

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Abstract

Cistus species can form ectomycorrhizae and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus that can bring benefits when plants are under water stress conditions. However, the application of some ectomycorrhizae on the water uptake under drought through physiological traits and hormonal regulation is less known. The experiment was performed during three months in a growth chamber with Cistus albidus plants in which the combined effect of the ectomycorrhiza Pisolithus tinctorious inoculation and two irrigation treatments (control and water-stressed plants) were applied. Irrigation absence caused significant decrease in aerial growth and tended to decrease soil water potential at the root surface, leading to a decrease in leaf water potential. Under these conditions, the abscisic acid and salicylic acid content increased while the precursor of ethylene decreased. Although the mycorrhization percentages were not high, the inoculation of P. tinctorious improved the water status and slightly cushioned the rise in leaf temperature of water-stressed plants. The ectomycorrhiza decreased the scopoletin values in leaves of plants subjected to deficit irrigation, indicating that inoculated plants had been able to synthesize defense mechanisms. Therefore, Pisolithus tinctorious alleviated some of the harmful effects of water scarcity in Cistus plants, being its use a sustainable option in gardening or restoration projects.

Highlights

Cistus albidus L. is a typical shrub of the Mediterranean climate
Imposed water stress meant a reduction in the percentage of mycorrhization, like plants, fungi are affected by water limitation [22]
In a previous study with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) (Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum) in Cistus albidus plants under water stress [8], the percentage of mycorrhization was 65%, more than double that obtained with Pisolithus tinctorius

Summary

Introduction

Cistus albidus L. is a typical shrub of the Mediterranean climate. They are widely cultivated both for reforestation and for its use in Mediterranean gardening, especially in Xeriscape, where water management for saving this resource is one of the best options. These plants began to be widely used in gardening and landscaping due to their rusticity and attractive blooms. It is widely known that mycorrhizae confer physiological characteristics to plants that help them improve their water and nutritional status, especially in adverse conditions such as water stress. The response of these plants will depend on both the species of the plant and the type of fungus with which it is inoculated, as well as the extension, duration, and type of stress [3,4]

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