Physiological and Transcriptome Responses of Seedlings Inoculated by Various Ecotypes of the Ectomycorrhizal Fungus during the Early Stage of Drought Stress.

The impact of drought stress on plant growth in arid regions is a critical concern, necessitating the exploration of strategies to enhance plant drought resistance, particularly during the early stages of drought stress. This study focuses on the ectomycorrhizal fungus , renowned for its extensive genetic diversity and broad host compatibility, making it a crucial ally for host plants facing external stresses. We utilized seedlings inoculated with different ecotypic strains of under drought stress. The results showed that the inoculation of most strains of enhanced the drought resistance of seedlings under the early stages of drought stress, by influencing the water content, photosynthesis, accumulation of osmotic adjustment substances, and antioxidant enzyme activities in both shoots and roots of seedlings. Transcriptome analysis showed that mycorrhizal seedlings mainly regulated energy metabolism and reduction-oxidation reaction to resist early drought stress. Notably, the level of drought resistance observed in mycorrhizal seedlings was irrespective of the level of drought tolerance of strains. This study contributes essential data for understanding the drought response mechanisms of mycorrhizal seedlings inoculated by distinct ecotypes and guidance on selecting candidate species of ectomycorrhizal fungi for mycorrhizal afforestation in drought areas.