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Endofungal Rhizobium species enhance arsenic tolerance in colonized host plant under arsenic stress

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Abstract

Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid that is present in natural surroundings in many forms with severe consequences to sustainable agriculture and human health. Plant growth-promoting Rhizobia have been found involved in the induction of plant tolerance under various biotic and abiotic stresses. An endofungal Rhizobium species associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Serendipita indica deploy beneficial role in the promotion of plant growth and tolerance against various biotic and abiotic stresses. In the current study, we have determined the role of endofungal Rhizobium species in protection of host plant growth under As stress. We observed that endofungal Rhizobium species strain Si001 tolerate AsV up to 25 mM and its inoculation enhances tomato seed germination and seedling growth. A hyper-colonization of Rhizobium species Si001 in tomato roots was observed under As stress and results in modulation of GSH and proline content with reduced ROS. Rhizobium species Si001 colonization in host plant recovered pigment contents (chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b up to 189.5% and 192%, respectively), photosynthesis (157%), and water use efficiency (166%) compared to As-treated plants. Interestingly, bacterial colonization results in 40% increased As accumulation in the root, while a reduction in As translocation from root to shoot up to 89% was observed as compared to As treated plants. In conclusion, endofungal Rhizobium species Si001 association with the host plant may improve plant health and tolerance against As stress with reduced As accumulation in the crop produce.

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Acknowledgements

Imran Ahmad, Shiv Narayan and Jagriti Shukla are thankful to University Grant Commission for providing Senior Research Fellowship. Manoj Kumar is thankful to CSIR (MLP002), for providing funds. The CSIR–IITR communication number for this manuscript is IITR/SEC/2021–2022/47.

Funding

This study was funded by CSIR-IITR (MLP002 to MK) and University Grants Commission (JRF/SRF to IA, JS, SN).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR–Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhavan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Imran Ahmad, Jagriti Shukla & Manoj Kumar

  2. Plant Physiology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India

    Shiv Narayan & Pramod Arvind Shirke

  3. Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India

    Imran Ahmad, Shiv Narayan, Jagriti Shukla, Pramod Arvind Shirke & Manoj Kumar

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  1. Imran Ahmad
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  2. Shiv Narayan
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  3. Jagriti Shukla
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  4. Pramod Arvind Shirke
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  5. Manoj Kumar
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Contributions

Endofungal Rhizobium species was isolated by JS and As tolerance studies was done by IA. Pot experiments, Seedlings growth, colonization analysis, H2O2 estimation, GSH measurement and proline measurement were done by IA. The photosynthesis study was done by SN and IA and facility for photosynthesis study was provided by PAS. IA wrote the manuscript. MK defined the research theme, wrote and finalized the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Manoj Kumar.

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Communicated by Erko Stackebrandt.

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Ahmad, I., Narayan, S., Shukla, J. et al. Endofungal Rhizobium species enhance arsenic tolerance in colonized host plant under arsenic stress. Arch Microbiol 204, 375 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-022-02972-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-022-02972-0

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