Abstract
The role of the microbiome in the root zone is critically important for plants. However, the mechanism by which plants can adapt to environmental constraints, especially water deficit, has not been fully investigated to date, while the endophytic core microbiome of the roots of spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.) grown under drought conditions has received little attention. In this study, we hypothesize that differences in the endophytic core of spelt and common wheat root microbiomes can explain the variations in the growth and photosynthetic activity of those plants, especially under drought conditions. Our greenhouse experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 × 4 × 3 factorial scheme: two water regime levels (well-watered and drought), three spelt varieties (T. aestivum ssp. spelta L.: ‘Badenstern’, ‘Badenkrone’ and ‘Zollernspelz’ and one wheat variety: T. aestivum ssp. vulgare L: ‘Dakotana’) and three mycorrhizal levels (autoclaved soil inoculation with Rhizophagus irregularis, control (autoclaved soil) and natural inoculation (non-autoclaved soil—microorganisms from the field). During the imposed stress period, relative water content (RWC), leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange and water use efficiency (WUE) were measured. Microscopic observations of the root surface through fungi isolation and identification were conducted. Our results indicate that ‘Badenstern’ was the most drought tolerant variety, followed by ‘Zollernspelz’ and ‘Badenkrone,’ while the common wheat variety ‘Dakotana’ was the most drought sensitive. Inoculation of ‘Badenstern’ with the mycorrhizal fungi R. irregularis contributed to better growth performance as evidenced by increased whole plant and stalk dry matter accumulation, as well as greater root length and volume. Inoculation of ‘Zollernspelz’ with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhanced the photochemical efficiency of Photosystem II and significantly improved root growth under drought conditions, which was confirmed by enhanced aboveground biomass, root dry weight and length. This study provides evidence that AMF have the potential to be beneficial for plant growth and dry matter accumulation in spelt varieties grown under drought conditions.
Highlights
Spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.) is an “ancient” crop that is increasingly used in the food industry due to the trend of introducing non-common wheat cereals to derive bakery products [1] with multiple functional benefits [2] that contain elevated amounts of particular nutrients
Based on a comprehensive analysis our results suggest that the spelt variety ‘Badenstern’ may be the most drought tolerant, followed by ‘Zollernspelz’ and ‘Badenkrone,’ while the common wheat variety ‘Dakotana’ was the most drought sensitive
It has been shown that the inoculation of spelt wheat ‘Badenstern’ with the mycorrhizal fungi G. irregulare contributed to better growth performance as evidenced by increased whole plant and stalk dry matter accumulation, as well as enhanced root length and volume
Summary
Spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.) is an “ancient” crop that is increasingly used in the food industry due to the trend of introducing non-common wheat cereals to derive bakery products (so-called “superfoods”) [1] with multiple functional benefits [2] that contain elevated amounts of particular nutrients. The morphological structure of the spelt kernel (hard leathery chaff) protects the kernel from air pollution, and makes spelt less susceptible to pests, in contrast to common wheat, and is suitable for organic farming, where the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers is strictly forbidden [6]. It complies with EU rules for integrated plant cultivation and the reduction of the negative impact of intensive agriculture on the environment [7]
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