Abstract
BackgroundThis study aimed to assess whether licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) can benefit from dual inoculation by Trichoderma viride and dark septate endophytes (DSE) isolated from other medicinal plants.MethodsFirst, we isolated and identified three DSE (Paraboeremia putaminum, Scytalidium lignicola, and Phoma herbarum) and Trichoderma viride from medicinal plants growing in farmland of China. Second, we investigated the influences of these three DSE on the performance of licorice at different T. viride densities (1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 CFU/mL) under sterilised condition in a growth chamber.ResultsThree DSE strains could colonize the roots of licorice, and they established a positive symbiosis with host plants depending on DSE species and T. viride densities. Inoculation of P. putaminum increased the root biomass, length, surface area, and root:shoot ratio. S. lignicola increased the root length, diameter and surface area and decreased the root:shoot ratio. P. herbarum increased the root biomass and surface area. T. viride increased the root biomass, length, and surface area. Structural equation model (SEM) analysis showed that DSE associated with T. viride augmented plant biomass and height, shoot branching, and root surface area. Variations in root morphology and biomass were attributed to differences in DSE species and T. viride density among treatments. P. putaminum or P. herbarum with low- or medium T. viride density and S. lignicola with low- or high T. viride density improved licorice root morphology and biomass.ConclusionsDSE isolated from other medicinal plants enhanced the root growth of licorice plants under different densities T. viride conditions and may also be used to promote the cultivation of medicinal plants.
Highlights
This study aimed to assess whether licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) can benefit from dual inoculation by Trichoderma viride and dark septate endophytes (DSE) isolated from other medicinal plants
Colonization characteristics and identification of DSE Typical structure of DSE, such as dark septate hyphae and microsclerotia were observed in the roots of O. japonicus and L. japonica (Supplementary Fig. S1)
Five and two DSE colonies isolated from O. japonicus and L. japonica, respectively, were ashen grey to dark brown (Supplementary Fig. S2)
Summary
This study aimed to assess whether licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) can benefit from dual inoculation by Trichoderma viride and dark septate endophytes (DSE) isolated from other medicinal plants. Soil-borne microorganisms such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, dark septate endophytes (DSE), and Trichoderma spp. improve plant productivity and maintain plant health. They are of particular interest in sustainable agriculture [2, 4, 5]. Dark septate endophytes (DSE) are diverse facultative biotrophic ascomycetes characterised by melanised septate hyphae and microsclerotia. They are found in the roots of > 600 different plant species [6].
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