Fungal Endophytes: Bio-priming agents for increased seedling performance in Pearl millet Shantharaja C. S.1,*, Devaraju P. J. 1ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science, Regional Station, Bengaluru Department of Seed Science and Technology, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru *Correspondence author: shantharajacs@gmail.com
Online Published on 17 May, 2023. Abstract A laboratory experiment was conducted in pearl millet cv. HHB 67 Imp. under three different conditions viz, normal condition (without stress), NaCl (160 mM) induced salinity stress and PEG-8000 (24 %) induced drought stress using five fungal endophytes viz, LAS 6 (Chaetomium sp.), PJ9 (Fusarium sp.)SF5 (Fusarium sp.), V4 J (Botryosphariadothedia) and V6 E (Fusarium sp.). the results showed that, the seedling performance was increased upon treatment with endophyte strains. V6 E strain had recorded an increased shoot length (14.3 cm), root length (12.5 cm) and seedling length (26.8) and seedling vigour index I (2179) compared to controlunder normal condition. Whereas, the treatment V4 J has recorded significantly higher seedling dry weight (9.21 mg) and seedling vigour index II (830). Under NaCl Induced salinity stress condition, endophyte strain PJ 9 had recorded increased root length (11.6 cm), seedling length (20.8) and seedling vigour index I (1820). Whereas, V4 J strain had shown significantly increased shoot length (9.5 cm), mean seedling dry weight (7.77 mg) and seedling vigour index II (673). Under PEG-8000 induced drought stress conditions, the endophytic strain LAS 6 had recorded a significantly increased shoot length of 13.0 cm. whereas, SF 5 strain had shown increased root length (10.2 cm), seedling dry weight (8.23 mg) and seedling vigour index II (716) compared to control. The study concluded that, use of fungal endophytes as bio-priming agents can enhance early seedling vigour under stressful conditions which is necessary for early and uniform seedling establishment under field conditions. Top Keywords Endophyte, Bio-priming, Early seedling vigour, Drought and Salinity. Top |