Divulgence into mung bean growth promotion potential of endophytes isolated across different geographical regions of India

Endophytic fungi in symbiotic association with their host plant are well known to improve plant growth and reduce the adverse effects of abiotic stresses. Therefore, fungal endophytes are beginning to receive increased attention in an effort to find growth-promoting strains that could be applied to enhance crop yield and quality.

In our study, the plant growth promoting activities of endophytic fungi isolated from various parts of India have been revealed and investigated. Fungal isolates were identified using molecular taxonomical methods, while their plant growth promoting abilities were evaluated in plate assays and in vitro studies. Altogether, seven strains were selected, representing the genera Fusarium, Chaetomium and Ulocladium.

Six of the isolates possessed phosphate solubilization activities, four secreted siderophores and four showed amylase activity, while all of them were able to produce indoleacetic acid (IAA). In order to investigate the effect of endophytes on plant growth, all seven fungi were selected concerning their potential ability to promote growth in mung bean. The results indicated that microbial endophytes selected from different geographical regions living originally in the plant host are able to influence the growth and fitness parameters of other plants through their promotion effects and could be used as inoculants to establish a sustainable crop production system.