Endophytic LHL10 Augments L. Adaptation to Ni-Contamination through Affecting Endogenous Phytohormones and Oxidative Stress.

This study investigated the Ni-removal efficiency of phytohormone-producing endophytic fungi , , sp., and sp. Among four different endophytes, LHL10 was able to tolerate up to 1 mM Ni in contaminated media as compared to copper and cadmium. LHL10 was further assessed for its potential to enhance the phytoremediation of (soybean) in response to dose-dependent increases in soil Ni (0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 mM). Inoculation with LHL10 significantly increased plant biomass and growth attributes as compared to non-inoculated control plants with or without Ni contamination. LHL10 enhanced the translocation of Ni from the root to the shoot as compared to the control. In addition, LHL10 modulated the physio-chemical apparatus of soybean plants during Ni-contamination by reducing lipid peroxidation and the accumulation of linolenic acid, glutathione, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. Stress-responsive phytohormones such as abscisic acid and jasmonic acid were significantly down-regulated in fungal-inoculated soybean plants under Ni stress. LHL10 Ni-remediation potential can be attributed to its phytohormonal synthesis related genetic makeup. RT-PCR analysis showed the expression of , for indole-acetic acid and , (), () for gibberellins synthesis. In conclusion, the inoculation of can significantly improve plant growth in Ni-polluted soils, and assist in improving the phytoremediation abilities of economically important crops.