Contribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal and Endophytic Fungi to Drought Tolerance in Araucaria araucana Seedlings

Abstract

In its natural distribution, Araucaria araucana is a plant species usually exposed to extreme environmental constraints such as wind, volcanism, fires, and low rainfall. This plant is subjected to long periods of drought, accentuated by the current climate emergency, causing plant death, especially in its early growth stages. Understanding the benefits that both arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and endophytic fungi (EF) could provide plants under different water regimes would generate inputs to address the above-mentioned issues. Here, the effect of AMF and EF inoculation (individually and combined) on the morphophysiological variables of A. araucana seedlings subjected to different water regimes was evaluated. Both the AMF and EF inocula were obtained from A. araucana roots growing in natural conditions. The inoculated seedlings were kept for 5 months under standard greenhouse conditions and subsequently subjected to three different irrigation levels for 2 months: 100, 75, and 25% of field capacity (FC). Morphophysiological variables were evaluated over time. Applying AMF and EF + AMF yielded a noticeable survival rate in the most extreme drought conditions (25% FC). Moreover, both the AMF and the EF + AMF treatments promoted an increase in height growth between 6.1 and 16.1%, in the production of aerial biomass between 54.3 and 62.6%, and in root biomass between 42.5 and 65.4%. These treatments also kept the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm 0.71 for AMF and 0.64 for EF + AMF) stable, as well as high foliar water content (>60%) and stable CO2 assimilation under drought stress. In addition, the EF + AMF treatment at 25% FC increased the total chlorophyll content. In conclusion, using indigenous strains of AMF, alone or in combination with EF, is a beneficial strategy to produce A. araucana seedlings with an enhanced ability to tolerate prolonged drought periods, which could be of great relevance for the survival of these native species under the current climate change.

An Overview of Mycorrhiza in Pines: Research, Species, and Applications

“…In the face of overall climate change, mycorrhizal fungi may have the potential to contribute to the restoration of temperate and boreal forests and the maintenance of sustainable forest ecosystems under the stressors of global change [ 135 ]. Compared to non-mycorrhizal plants, plants in symbiosis with mycorrhiza have a greater tolerance to abiotic stressors (temperatures, , drought, and salinity) due to the stimulation of the production of molecules to protect against cell damage; morphological, physiological, and molecular mechanisms; and the transport of pollutants [ 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 , 140 , 141 , 142 , 143 ]. In addition, mycorrhizal fungi could play an important role in promoting the evolutionary adaptations of plants to global warming [ 144 ].…”

“…Compared to non-mycorrhizal plants, plants in symbiosis with mycorrhiza have a greater tolerance to abiotic stressors (temperatures, CO 2 , drought, and salinity) due to the stimulation of the production of molecules to protect against cell damage; morphological, physiological, and molecular mechanisms; and the transport of pollutants. [136][137][138][139][140][141][142][143]. In addition, mycorrhizal fungi could play an important role in promoting the evolutionary adaptations of plants to global warming [144].…”