Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, (Girls Branch), Cairo, Egypt.
Sci Rep. 2024 May 25;14(1):11952. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-61936-0.
Heavy metal accumulation is one of the major agronomic challenges that has seriously threatened food safety. As a result, metal-induced phytotoxicity concerns require quick and urgent action to retain and maintain the physiological activities of microorganisms, the nitrogen pool of soils, and the continuous yields of wheat in a constantly worsening environment. The current study was conducted to evaluate the plant growth-promoting endophytic Aspergillus flavus AUMC 16,068 and its EPS for improvement of plant growth, phytoremediation capacity, and physiological consequences on wheat plants (Triticum aestivum) under lead stress. After 60 days of planting, the heading stage of wheat plants, data on growth metrics, physiological properties, minerals content, and lead content in wheat root, shoot, and grains were recorded. Results evoked that lead pollution reduced wheat plants' physiological traits as well as growth at all lead stress concentrations; however, inoculation with lead tolerant endophytic A. flavus AUMC 16,068 and its respective EPS alleviated the detrimental impact of lead on the plants and promoted the growth and physiological characteristics of wheat in lead-contaminated conditions and also lowering oxidative stress through decreasing (CAT, POD, and MDA), in contrast to plants growing in the un-inoculated lead polluted dealings. In conclusion, endophytic A. flavus AUMC 16,068 spores and its EPS are regarded as eco-friendly, safe, and powerful inducers of wheat plants versus contamination with heavy metals, with a view of protecting plant, soil, and human health.
重金属积累是农业面临的主要挑战之一，严重威胁着食品安全。因此，需要迅速采取行动来减轻金属诱导的植物毒性，以维持微生物的生理活性、土壤氮素库和小麦的持续产量，因为环境在不断恶化。本研究旨在评估具有促植物生长作用的内生曲霉 AUMC 16,068 及其 EPS，以提高小麦（Triticum aestivum）在铅胁迫下的生长、植物修复能力和生理特性。在种植 60 天后，小麦处于抽穗期，记录了生长指标、生理特性、矿物质含量以及小麦根、茎和籽粒中的铅含量的数据。结果表明，铅污染降低了小麦的生理特性和所有铅胁迫浓度下的生长；然而，接种耐铅内生曲霉 AUMC 16,068 及其 EPS 减轻了铅对植物的不利影响，并在铅污染条件下促进了小麦的生长和生理特性，同时通过降低（CAT、POD 和 MDA）来降低氧化应激，而在未接种铅污染处理的植物中则没有这种情况。总之，内生曲霉 AUMC 16,068 孢子及其 EPS 被认为是环保、安全且有效的小麦重金属污染诱导剂，可保护植物、土壤和人类健康。
