plant surface microbiology.pdf

15 Interaction of Piriformospora indica with Diverse Microorganisms and Plants 245
ties, which are characteristics of AM fungi (Singh et al. 2002a, b; Singh et al.
2003a, b; Varma et al. 2001). It colonizes the root cortex in a variety of host
plants and improves their overall biomass production.
4.1 Monocots
Recently, we have selected the model plants, Zea mays L. and Setaria italica
(L.) Beauv. for in-depth studies. The roots were colonized and the growth of
the plants was highly promoted as a result of interaction with the fungus
(Fig. 6). The phytopromotional influence was evident from early stages of the
interaction.
4.2 Legumes
P. indica promotes the growth and survival of tissue culture raised-tropical
legumes like Cicer arietinum L., Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek, Pisum sativum
L., Vigna mungo L. Hepper (Fig. 7) and Glycine max (L.) Merr. The fungal colonization
resulted in 100 % survival of the in vitro raised plants, whereas it
was less than 50 % in uninoculated plants.
A dramatic increase in the plant growth was observed in C. arietinum and
V. mungo as compared to their corresponding controls. The percent increase
in plant height was 35.7 and 14.2 %, respectively, and the increase in fresh
weight was 90 and 11 %, respectively, as compared to corresponding controls.
Fig. 7. Interactions with Pisum sativum
(left) and Vigna mungo (right). Surfacesterilized
seeds of the legumes were
germinated on water agar. Approximately
3-cm-long young seedlings were
placed on MS agar slants and incubated
with P. indica (P). Control plants (C)
did not receive any fungus. Tubes were
incubated at 25±2 °C and 1000 lux.
Photographs were taken after 6 days.
The fungus promoted the growth of
both legumes