Physiological responses of crop plants against Trichoderma harzianum in saline environment

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Abstract
The physiological response of crop plants againstTrichoderma harzianum(Th-6) in a saline habitat was studied.Trichoderma harzianum(Th-6) is an endophytic fungus that shows salt tolerance and establishes a symbiotic relationship with a host plant. To evaluate the role ofTrichoderma harzianum(Th-6) in mitigating the consequences of salinity stress on crop plants, seeds of maize and rice were coated withTrichodermabefore sowing and salt treatment. Later, after germination, twenty-one day old seedlings were subjected to NaCl concentrations (50, 100 and 150 mM). Salinity negatively affected all investigated physiological parameters in both crops. Treatment of seeds withTrichodermaimproved plant growth andTh-treated plants exhibited substantial physiological adjustment in a saline environment compared toTh-untreated plants. TheTh-treated plants under salt stress showed higher relative water content and stomatal conductance, better photosynthetic performance and higher pigment concentrations, as well as higher catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Moreover, proline content in salt stress environment was higher inTh-treated plants, while H2O2content declined. The physiological role ofTrichoderma harzianumin mitigating the salt related consequences of both crop plants is discussed.

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