Modulation of plant growth and antioxidative defense system through endophyte biopriming in cotton (Gossypium spp.) and non-host crops

• Published in: Heliyon 2022-05, Vol.8 (5), p.e09487, Article e09487
• Main Authors: Verma, Pooja, Hiremani, Neelakanth S., Gawande, Shailesh P., Sain, Satish K., Nagrale, Dipak T., Narkhedkar, Nandini G., Prasad, Y.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Catalase; Cotton; Endophytes; Peroxidase; Seed biopriming; Total sugar; Wheat
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09487

Seed biopriming is very promising in improving seed health by mitigating various biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, the effect of biopriming with cotton endophytes on seed germination and other growth parameters in host and non-host crops like wheat, sorghum, cowpea and chick pea was examined. The endophytes were antagonistic to cotton pathogens Corynespora cassiicola and Fusarium solani under in vitro. Among the eight endophytes, CFR-1 and CEL-48 were highly efficient with inhibition rates of 66.16% and 64.24% respectively against C. cassiicola, whereas CFL-34 was efficient against F. solani with more than 50% inhibition. Seed biopriming enhanced seed germination in cotton and non-host crops whereas seed vigor index was highest in bio-primed cotton. Moreover, growth promotion parameters were also enhanced upon endophyte biopriming. Total sugar content ranged from 5.46 to 7.54 mg/g F.W in cotton and highest was found in CFL-34 treated wheat (8.64 mg/g FW). There was an increase of 10–30% soluble protein in bioprimed cotton over control. Interestingly, the antioxidant potential in all the bio-primed crops was improved with increased catalase and peroxidase activity. Specific activity of catalase ranged from 0.42 to 1.90 μmol/min/mg protein in cotton, while highest activity was reported in CEL-48 primed wheat. The findings of this investigation emphasizes seed biopriming with endophytes for sustainable plant health management. [Display omitted] •Fungal endophytes of cotton were antagonistic to Corynespora cassiicola and Fusarium solani inhibiting up to 66% of growth.•Seed biopriming of two cotton cultivars Suraj and Phule Dhanwantary with endophytes enhanced seed germination and seed vigor.•Endophytes also benefited non-host crops like wheat, sorghum, chick pea and cow pea wherein seed germination was enhanced•Endophyte biopriming had positive effect on plant growth promotion and antioxidative defense system in all the treated crops.•Increase in total soluble protein, total sugar, catalase and peroxidase activity was visible in endophyte treated plants. Endophytes; Cotton; Seed biopriming; Wheat; Antioxidants; Total sugar; Catalase; Peroxidase.