Bacillus velezensis and Sinorhizobium meliloti Form a Functional Complementary Alliance to Alleviate the Impact of Salt Stress on Alfalfa Growth

Enhancement of growth and salt tolerance in Clematis chinensis by the plant growth- promoting fungus Trichoderma compactum SZ01

The potential of SZ01 as a microbial inoculant to promote plant growth and productivity in saline–alkaline environments, with implications for both medicinal and agricultural crop production, is highlighted.

Rhizobial Symbiosis Enhances Salinity Tolerance in Legumes Through Coordinated Physiological and Molecular Responses: Evidence From Common Vetch and Pea.

Findings highlight the potential of Rhizobium inoculation to enhance crop resilience in salt-affected agroecosystems and demonstrate that symbiosis correlates with a more efficient and physiologically moderated acclimation to salinity in legumes.

Mycorrhizal Inoculation Enhances Heat Resistance in Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) via Photosynthesis, Osmoregulatory Substances, the Antioxidant System, and the Expression of Related Genes

High-temperature stress can negatively influence citrus growth and fruit quality. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can enhance the absorption of water and nutrients, as well as improve heat resistance. In this experiment, we investigated the influence of heat stress (42 °C) on trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) with Funneliformis mosseae, (F.m, an symbiotic AMF associated with citrus). The results show that AMF markedly promoted seedling growth and enhanced photosynthesis. Compared with the 42 °C, 0 h conditions, the 42 °C, 6 h conditions markedly improved the REC and concentration of MDA, H2O2, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and Pro and significantly increased the enzyme activities of SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), and POD (Peroxidase), but they dramatically reduced the relative water content and photosynthetic parameters. Under high temperature (42 °C, 6 h), in contrast to the non-AMF groups, AMF treatment also observably improved the chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic parameters, significantly decreased the REC by 26.52%, and markedly reduced MDA and H2O2 content by 25.61% and 35.66%. Moreover, AMF improved the concentrations of soluble protein, soluble sugar, and Pro markedly at 42 °C, 0 h (by 36.12%, 39.93%, and 20.81%), but these increased only by 13.31%, 3.11%, and 19.73% at 42 °C, 6 h. Furthermore, AMF increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and POD by 2.05%, 23.49%, and 2.02% at 42 °C, 0 h and by 4.74%, 20.85%, and 34.09% at 42 °C, 6 h compared with the non-AMF treatment. In addition, we found that the PtHSP7, PtHSP9, PtGOLS1, and PtHSFA1 genes all responded to high-temperature stress. Compared with the non-AMF treatment, after administering it at a high temperature (42 °C) for 6 h, AMF inoculation significantly up-regulated PtHSP7 but significantly down-regulated PtHSP9. In conclusion, AMF promotes the growth of trifoliate orange and enhances heat resistance via photosynthesis, osmoregulatory substances, the antioxidant system, and related genes.

Sinorhizobium meliloti GAU-93 Inoculation Is Associated with Reduced Drought-Induced Oxidative Damage and Enhanced Flavonoid Accumulation and Antioxidant Capacity in Alfalfa

This study investigated the effects of Sinorhizobium meliloti GAU-93 inoculation on the growth and drought responses of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Alfalfa seeds were inoculated with the GAU-93 strain Sinorhizobium meliloti and subjected to four soil water content levels: 15% (severe drought), 30% (moderate drought), 45% (well-watered control), and 60% (high-moisture condition). Various growth parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, flavonoid-related traits, and membrane lipid peroxidation were measured. Increasing drought severity reduced plant growth, fresh and dry biomass, and relative water content (RWC). GAU-93 inoculation was associated with smaller reductions in these traits across several water regimes. Inoculated plants also showed higher flavonoid contents and higher expression of several flavonoid biosynthetic genes, including CHS, DFR, F3H, and PAL. In addition, GAU-93 was associated with lower membrane lipid peroxidation and higher antioxidant enzyme activities. Overall, these findings suggest that Sinorhizobium meliloti GAU-93 may help alleviate drought-induced oxidative stress and support alfalfa growth under the tested water regimes. This study provides a basis for further evaluation of GAU-93 as a microbial strategy to improve drought tolerance in forage crops.

Effects of ectomycorrhizal fungi on the physiological and ecological characteristics of Larix gmelinii under salt stress

Seed biopriming with a novel endophytic Bacillus licheniformis strain RGS enhances drought tolerance and recovery in tomato

Findings indicate that B. licheniformis strain RGS is a promising seed-applied bioinoculant for enhancing drought resilience and recovery in tomato grown under limited-moisture conditions.