ORIGINAL RESEARCH
An Endophytic Fungus Gliocladium cibotii
Regulates Metabolic and Antioxidant System
of Glycine max and Helianthus annuus
under Heat Stress
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1
Department of Botany, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
2
Department of Food Science & Technology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
3
Centre of Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Peshawar, Pakistan
4
School of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
Submission date: 2020-06-21
Final revision date: 2020-07-26
Acceptance date: 2020-07-27
Online publication date: 2020-11-26
Publication date: 2021-02-05
Corresponding author
Muhammad Hamayun
Department of Botany, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Garden Campus, 23200, Peshawar, Pakistan
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(2):1631-1640
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ABSTRACT
In the present study, we have isolated endophytic fungi Gliocladium cibotii from Verbena officinalis
L. and tested against Oryza sativa L. seedlings for growth promotion. The strain was used to help
Glycine max L. and Helianthus annuus L. under thermal stress. Association of G. cibotii with G.
max and H. annuus enhanced chlorophyll contents, total biomass and plant height. Also, G. cibotii
significantly curtailed lipids peroxidation and ROS (reactive oxygen species) in host species exposed
to heat stress (40ºC). Furthermore, the concentration of ROS-degrading enzymes, like ascorbic
acid oxidase (AAO), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide
dismutase (SOD) were boosted in test crops, while concentration of proline and ABA were inhibited.
The phenolics and nutritional value (total lipids, proteins and sugars) of experimental plants were also
enhanced. The results conclude that G. cibotii can be used as a heat stress mitigating weapon for food
crops in the future.