Fermentation Broth Promotes Maize Germination and Alleviates Low Phosphorus Stress.

is a type of soil fungus with the ability to dissolve insoluble phosphate and secrete organic metabolites such as citric acid. However, whether cell-free fermentation broth (AFB) promotes maize growth and alleviates low-phosphorus stress has not been reported. In this study, we explored their relationship through a hydroponics system. The results indicated that either too low or too high concentrations of AFB may inhibit seed germination potential and germination rate. Under low phosphorus conditions, all physiological indexes (biomass, soluble sugar content, root length, etc.) increased after AFB was applied. A qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of the and genes, which are involved in root development, was upregulated, while the expression of the and genes, which are keys to the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, was downregulated. The expression of , a key gene in lipid peroxidation, was down-regulated, consistent with changes in the corresponding enzyme activity. These results indicate that the application of AFB may alleviate the oxidative stress in maize seedlings, reduce the oxidative damage caused by low P stress, and enhance the resistance to low P stress in maize seedlings. In addition, it reveals the potential of to promote growth and provides new avenues for research on beneficial plant-fungal interactions.