Mutualism between Dark Septate Endophytes (DSEs) and their host plants under metal stress: a case study

• DOI: 10.1080/26895293.2021.1954097
• Publication Date: 2021-12-31T19:34:28Z
• Authors: Di Liu; Lingling Zhu; Tao Li; Zhiwei Zhao
• Keywords: Endophyte; Mutualism

In the current study, a model of 'fungus-root' interaction was designed using host Zea mays inoculated with metal-tolerant dark septate endophyte (DSE) strain Exophiala pisciphila H93 both under nutritional- (Zn0) and zinc-stressed (Zn550) conditions. We found that co-cultured maize benefited from alleviated excessive Zn toxicity by its root-associated E. pisciphila, through significantly decreasing root Zn550 conditions, or promoting nutritional in shoots roots 34.03% 22.13% Zn0 respectively, compared non-inoculated controls. Interestingly, further enhanced tolerance bioaugmented compartmentation cell walls to reduce proportion soluble fractions organelles stress. exchange for carbon cost, extraradical hyphae tended accumulate more toxic Zn, mycelia vitro culture vice versa also promoted via repartitioning subcellular Zn. Our results suggest potentially mutual association maize, trading increased abiotic tolerance.