Document Type : original paper
Authors
1
Department of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
2
Department of Silviculture & Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
3
Soil Department, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Golestan, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Gorgan
4
Department of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
5
Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Golestan, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Gorgan,
10.22069/jopp.2024.22779.3187
Abstract
Effect of black summer truffle fungus (Tuber aestivum) on the activity of antioxidant enzymes of oak (Quercus castaneifolia) and paulownia (Paulownia fortunei) under water stress
Abstract
Background and objectives: Climate change can directly or indirectly affect forest ecosystems. Understanding these effects is essential for future forest management and conservation planning. Following these changes, water stress is the main challenge for forest ecosystems. The impact of mycorrhizal fungi on host plants have been extensively studied to mitigate the adverse effects of water stress.
Materials and methods: The present study assessed the effect of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Tuber aestivum on the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the leaves of Paulownia fortunei (Seem) Hemsl. and Quercus castaneifolia C.A. May seedlings under water stress conditions. The experiment used a completely randomized design, with two groups: inoculated with fungus and control (without inoculation). Spawn of Tuber aestivum fungi was obtained as a commercial package from Poya Toska Biotechnology Company in Iran. According to the manufacturer's instructions, the powdered inoculant is suspended in distilled water to inoculate the seedlings. During three stages, the inoculum was added to the soil around the seedlings, one gram for each pot, at a concentration of 108. The symbiosis formation between fungus and host plants was evaluated using visual and staining methods. Water stress was induced by cessation of irrigation until the inoculated seedlings reached the wilting point, while the control seedlings maintained field capacity during this period. After inducing stress, we used a spectrophotometer to measure the activity of the antioxidant enzymes.
Results: The results indicated a significant difference in catalase activity in Paulownia (p < 0.05) and peroxidase activity in Quercus castaneifolia and Paulownia fortunei (p < 0.01). The duration of water stress was ten days in Paulownia and 24 days in Quercus castaneifolia, with Quercus castaneifolia demonstrating greater tolerance than Paulownia fortunei. Besides the presence of T. aestivum, this tolerance to stress may be due to the deeper root system of Quercus castaneifolia, which enhances water and nutrient absorption. Conclusion: Mycorrhizal inoculation with Tuber aestivum can serve as a biological stimulant and an environmentally friendly protective agent against water stress in Quercus castaneifolia and Paulownia fortunei. This reduction of the effect of stress seems to be due to the increase in antioxidant enzyme activity of plants under water stress. However, various issues exist regarding the interactions between host plants and ectomycorrhizal fungi, particularly black summer truffles. This necessitates further studies to elucidate the role of ectomycorrhizal fungi in different tree species experiencing water stress.
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