Abstract
The influence of the three-way interaction between the fungus (Curvularia protuberata), virus (CThTV), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in combating drought stress was evaluated in this study. The plants in this greenhouse experiment were grown under conditions of 400 ± 150 μmol·m-2·s-1 photon flux density, 45% to 50% relative humidity (RH), and 30°C ± 2°C. Tomato seeds were germinated and inoculated with the combination of the fungus and virus at the seedling stage. The plants were allowed to grow for two weeks and randomly selected individuals were utilized. The selected plants were grown in one gallon pots containing organic potting soil. The treatments included non-symbiotic (NS), virus-free (VF), and symbiotic (An) plants. Each treatment received twelve samples and each sample was allowed to grow for an additional two weeks under drought stress. At that time, plants were exhibiting drought stress symptoms including visible wilting. Six samples from each treatment were utilized in determining selected physiological responses of tomato at pre-anthesis stage. The remaining six samples from each treatment were re-watered once and allowed to grow until they reached the anthesis stage. When they showed visible signs of wilting, the same physiological responses measured during pre-anthesis were conducted. The samples of each treatment were utilized at the end of each stage in determining photosynthetic rate, stomata conductance, photosynthetic pigments, water potential, and soluble sugar content. Plant growth, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, photosynthetic rate, stomata conductance, water potential, and soluble sugar content were similarly affected by the various treatments. However, carotenoids were significantly higher at pre-anthesis in the symbiotic plants in comparison to other treatments. Additionally, photosynthesis appeared to be significantly higher at anthesis compared to pre-anthesis for all treatments.
Highlights
Fossil records show that fungal symbionts existed in plants over 400 million years ago [1] and may have been a key component in the shift from aquatic to terrestrial plants [2]
The influence of the symbiotic interaction between the tomato plant and fungus is highly dependent on the fungus species
Sm. induced a significant increase in shoot growth, number of flowers, and fruit production of tomato plants growing under drought stress
Summary
Fossil records show that fungal symbionts existed in plants over 400 million years ago [1] and may have been a key component in the shift from aquatic to terrestrial plants [2]. Many scientific studies have examined the importance of plant-fungal symbiotic relationships in enhancing plant tolerance for various abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, cold, oxidative stress, and metal toxicity [3][7]. With the continuous dramatic climate changes such as global warming and widespread drought in many regions, serious problems in food production are predicted with increases in demand as a result of the increase in human population [8]. It has become imperative to improve food production to keep pace with the increasing demand. The use of beneficial microorganisms to extend the growing range of crop plants is a feasible technique to increase food production
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