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Aims This study examined the ability of isolated endophytic fungi to confer salt stress tolerance on wheat. Methods and Results Tolerance of pot‐grown wheat in greenhouse to salt stress was measured by estimating emergence rate, growth, relative water content, photosynthetic pigments biosynthesis, Na+ and K+ contents, as well as sugar and proline levels under salt stress in inoculated wheat seedlings. Chaetomium coarctatum (66·7%) and Alternaria chlamydospora (56·7%) improved wheat seedling emergence under moderate salinity (2·5 dS m−1) compared to noninoculated plant (50%). However, under severe salinity (14 dS m−1), wheat emergence was enhanced only by A. chlamydospora. Additionally, A. chlamydospora and Fusarium equiseti enhanced root growth under saline conditions. The tested endophytes exhibited high proline content relative to control. Chaetomium coarctatum showed the highest leaf sugar level under saline stress. Conclusion Endophytic fungi bio‐inoculation improved wheat salt stress tolerance. Significance and Impact of the Study The capacity of endophytic fungi to increase wheat tolerance under salinity stress and to improve growth could be applicable to agriculture.

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International audienceElements uptake, histological distributions as well as mycorrhizal and physiological statuses of Atriplex halimus were determined on trace metal and metalloid polluted soils from the surrounding spray zones of a former lead smelter in the South-East coast of Marseille (France). Analyses of heavy metal and arsenic distribution in soil and plant organs showed that A. halimus tolerance is largely due to exclusion mechanisms. No specific heavy metal concentration in leaf or root tissues was observed. However, accumulation of salts (NaCl, KCl, Mg and Ca salts) on leaf bladders and peripheral tissues of roots was observed and may compete with metal element absorption. Occurrence of endomycorrhizal structures was detected in roots and may contribute to lower element transfer from root into the aerial parts of plants. The non-destructive measurements of leaf epidermal chlorophylls, flavonols and phenols showed a healthy state of the A. halimus population on the metal and metalloid polluted sites. Considering the low metal bioaccumulation and translocation factors along with a reduced metal stress diagnosis, A. halimus appeared as a good candidate for phytostabilization of trace metals and metalloids and notably arsenic in contaminated soils of the Mediterranean spray zone. However, its invasive potential has to be determined before an intensive in situ use

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