Seed priming with biotic agents invokes defense response and enhances plant growth in pearl millet upon infection with Magnaporthe grisea

Plant Growth-Promoting Fungi (PGPF) Instigate Plant Growth and Induce Disease Resistance in Capsicum annuum L. upon Infection with Colletotrichum capsici (Syd.) Butler & Bisby

“…In addition, a significant increase in plant growth parameters was also observed upon PGPF seed treatment when compared to untreated plants with a maximum increase found in plants treated with NBP-61. Similarly, seed treatment with different PGPF, particularly of the genus Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Phoma and Trichoderma, has been reported to improve seed and plant growth parameters in various agronomic and horticultural crops [10,14,54,55]. A maximum and minimum protection of 78.75% and 36.25% towards anthracnose infection were observed in plants raised upon the treatment of NBP-61 and NBP-66, respectively, which was significant compared to the untreated control plants.…”

“…for lodging resistance in plants against invading pathogens [59]. PAL and POX enzymes play a requisite role in strengthening plant defense via structural deposition of lignin and phenolic compounds and also act as antagonistic to the invading pathogens by the production of phytoalexins (PAL), thereby hampering the growth and development of invading pathogen [55,59]. Similarly, the PGPF-treated chilli seedlings subjected to challenge inoculation showed the enhanced activity of PAL and POX enzymes compared to untreated challenge-inoculated seedlings, thereby authenticating the results obtained under histochemical studies.…”

Bioprospecting of Rhizosphere-Resident Fungi: Their Role and Importance in Sustainable Agriculture

“…PGPF treatments on plants have been well registered to enhance plant growth under greenhouse and field conditions [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Seed treatment with a conidial suspension of Aspergillus niger , T. harzianum and Penicillium citrinum has been reported to improve chickpea’s growth [ 17 ].…”

“…Therefore, different eco-friendly strategies have been put forth by research communities in the last decade to minimize the use of chemical-based fertilizers in crop improvement and management studies. As biocontrol agents, endophytes, Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) fungi, plant extracts, and PGPR have been explored widely as substitutes for controlling plant diseases caused by deleterious microbes [ 3 , 4 , 34 , 241 , 242 ]. PGPF is the least-explored emerging eco-friendly source for combating different bacterial and fungal diseases in plants, in place of other biocontrol agents.…”

“…PGPF is the least-explored emerging eco-friendly source for combating different bacterial and fungal diseases in plants, in place of other biocontrol agents. PGPF is highly significant in enhancing plant growth, fruit yield and nutrient composition, and boosting plants’ immunity by increasing their defense machinery, which regulates pathogen infections [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 34 , 44 ]. This efficiency of PGPF can be attributed to its efficient radical colonization capability, mineral solubilization (PGP traits), activation of antioxidant and defense-related enzymes, and production of antibiotics, phytohormones and volatile compounds under various biotic and abiotic stresses.…”