Unlocking the agro-physiological potential of wheat rhizoplane fungi using a niche-conserved consortium construction approach with low P conditions.

Abstract

Plant Growth Promoting Fungi (PGPF) hold promises for enhancing crop yield. This study delves into fungal diversity of the wheat rhizoplane across seven Moroccan agricultural regions, employing a niche-conserved strategy to construct fungal consortia (FC) exhibiting higher phosphorus (P) acquisition and plant growth promotion. This study combined culture-independent and culture-dependent methods exploring taxonomic and functional diversity in the rhizoplane of wheat plants obtained from twenty-eight zones. Twenty fungal species from eight genera were isolated and confirmed through ITS Sanger sequencing. P solubilization (PS) capacity was assessed for individual species, with Talaromyces sp. (F11) and Rhizopus arrhizus CMRC 585 (F12) exhibiting notable PS rates, potentially due to organic acid production like gluconic acid. PGP traits and antagonism activities were considered when constructing twenty-eight niche-conserved FC (using isolates from the same zone), seven intra-region FC (different zones within a region), and one inter-regions FC. Under low P conditions, in-planta inoculation with niche-conserved FC (notably FC14 and FC17) enhanced growth, physiological parameters and P uptake of wheat, in both vegetative and reproductive stages. FC14 and FC17, composed of potent fungi such as F11 and F12, demonstrated superior plant growth benefits compared to intra- and inter-regions constructed FC. Our study underscores the efficacy of the niche-conserved strategy in constructing FC from isolates within the same niche, proving significant agro-physiological potential to enhance P uptake and plant growth of wheat.