Application and Mechanisms of Plant Growth Promoting Fungi (PGPF) for Phytostimulation

Abstract

Plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) constitute diverse genera of nonpathogenic fungi that provide a variety of benefits to their host plants. PGPF show an effective role in sustainable agriculture. Meeting increasing demand for crop production without damage to the environment is the biggest challenge nowadays. The use of PGPF has been recognized as an environmentally friendly way of increasing crop production. These fungi have proven to increase crop yields by improving germination, seedling vigor, plant growth, root morphogenesis, photosynthesis, and flowering through either a direct or indirect mechanism. The mechanisms of PGPF involve solubilizing and mineralizing nutrients for easy uptake by plants, regulating hormonal balance, producing volatile organic compounds and microbial enzyme, suppressing plant pathogens and ameliorating abiotic stresses. Successful colonization is an intrinsic factor for most PGPF to exert their beneficial effects on plants. A certain level of specificity exists in the interactions between plant species and PGPF for root colonization and growth promoting effects. There is a gap between the number of reported efficacious PGPF and the number of PGPF as biofertilizer. Efforts should be strengthened to improve the efficacy and commercialization of PGPF. Hence, this chapter summarizes valuable information regarding the application and mechanisms of PGPF in sustainable agriculture.

Bioproducts and Homeopathy in Lasiodiplodia Rot (Lasiodiplodia sp.) Control and Development of Passion Fruit Seedlings

“…Of the growth components evaluated, such as dry leaf mass, dry root mass, dry stem mass, and total biomass, the treatments with Pichia sp., Gonytrichum sp., C. carbonica 12CH, and B. subtilis presented more satisfactory results compared with other treatments. This was possibly owing to the production of organic compounds, including hormones, amino acids, and enzymes, that regulate respiratory and photosynthetic activity in plants (Hossain, Sultana, 2020). In case of homeopathy treatments, these may be triggering and/or being the precursor of reactions of catabolism and anabolism that may contribute to the development of the plant (Mazón-Suá stegui et al 2019).…”

Biological Management of Plant Diseases by Non-pathogenic Phoma spp.

“…However, numerous species of Phoma are harmless and nonpathogenic to plants. Rather they are intimately linked to plant growth and health due to their roles in suppressing pathogens, decomposing organic residues, and providing nutrients (Hossain et al 2017a, b;Hossain and Sultana 2020). Among these species, Phoma sp., P. glomerata, P. etheridgei, P. tropica, and P. betae are, by far, the most extensively reported as plant growth promoters and agents for biological control of plant diseases (Table 15.1).…”

“…In general, the promotion of plant growth is mostly caused by a heterogeneous group of nonpathogenic fungi. They are called plant growthpromoting fungi (PGPF) (Hossain and Sultana 2020). Over the past few decades, a wide range of PGPF has been studied, including those that belong to the genus Phoma.…”

“…Phoma spp. have also been well-known for their plant growth-promoting activities (Hossain et al 2017a;Hossain and Sultana 2020). Amendment of soil with Phoma inoculum exerts a significant positive effect on plant growth and yield, making them well fitted to sustainable agriculture.…”

Diseases of Vegetables Caused by Phoma spp.

“…Being geographically prevalent in occurrence, fungi belonging to Phoma sensu lato embrace the largest number of species that are saprobic to parasitic (Entwistle 1990; Koike et al 2006;Hossain et al 2008;Sultana et al 2008;Sultana et al 2009;Hossain et al 2017;Hossain and Sultana 2020). Approximately 110 Phoma species are pathogenic to plants, some of which are economically important plant pathogens and even are pathogens of quarantine importance.…”