Abstract

AbstractChickpea is an important leguminous crop grown worldwide due to its nutritional and economic value. However, abiotic stress, primarily caused by drought, has limited chickpea production. This study highlights endosymbiotic plant growth promotion as well as alleviation of abiotic stress in germinating chickpea seeds and seedlings under drought stress conditions. Seed produced by F1 endosymbiotic plants under controlled environment was used to conduct this second‐generation (F2) study in the greenhouse. Fungal and bacterial endosymbionts improved seed germination and enhanced root and shoot growth in second‐generation seeds produced by applying drought stress without endophytes. Expression levels of antioxidant genes, proline, SOD‐superoxide dismutase and dehydrin, were downregulated, which characterizes enhanced oxidative stress tolerance and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in host cells. The endosymbiont beneficial effect on plant resilience and improved phenotypes was translated into increased nutrient quality of second‐generation seed. This study indicates the potential of the fungal and bacterial endosymbionts to moderate drought stress in plants by triggering epigenetic changes inherited across chickpea generations which correlated with enhanced resilience and improved agricultural traits in this globally important crop.

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