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Ameliorative effects of Trichoderma harzianum on monocot crops under hydroponic saline environment

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Abstract

Ameliorative effects of Trichoderma harzianum (Th-6) on monocot crops under saline environment using hydroponic system were examined. Both rice and maize seeds were coated with T. harzianum (Th-6) and used for the saline and non-saline treatment. Germination and seedling growth performance were studied. T. harzianum (Th-6)-treated seeds showed constantly faster and more uniform germination as compared to untreated seeds. Moreover, seeds treated with Trichoderma improved plants’ growth and physiological performance under hydroponic saline environment compared to control. The treatments showed higher relative water content (RWC), dark-adapted quantum yield (F v/F m ratio), performance index (PIABS), photochemical quenching (q P), stomatal conductance (g s), pigments concentrations and antioxidant enzymes as compared to untreated saline environment. Application of endophyte inhibited the Na+ and Cl− ion uptake in leaves when plants were exposed to saline environment. However, H2O2 contents of both treated crops declined under hydroponic salt stress environment. Physiological mechanism of T. harzianum (Th-6) application in mitigating the salt-related consequences of both monocot crops was discussed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Rural Development Administration, Suwon, and Republic of Korea for the sponsored Lab facilities in University of Karachi Pakistan. We are also thankful to Dr. Syed Ehtesham-ul-Haque for providing Trichoderma harzianum (Th-6) from Plant Pathology Lab, Department of Botany, and University of Karachi, Pakistan.

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  1. Department of Botany, Stress Physiology Phenomics Centre, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan

    Roomana Yasmeen & Zamin Shaheed Siddiqui

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  1. Roomana Yasmeen
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  2. Zamin Shaheed Siddiqui
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Correspondence to Zamin Shaheed Siddiqui.

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Communicated by M. J. Reigosa.

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Yasmeen, R., Siddiqui, Z.S. Ameliorative effects of Trichoderma harzianum on monocot crops under hydroponic saline environment. Acta Physiol Plant 40, 4 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-017-2579-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-017-2579-2

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