Effect of Cordyceps cateniannulata on the growth and antioxidant enzyme activity of Solanum lycopersicum

Abstract:

[Objective] This paper aims to evaluate the effect of Cordyceps cateniannulata on the growth and antioxidant enzyme activity of Solanum lycopersicum.[Methods] With the seed soaking method, S. lycopersicum was inoculated with C. cateniannulata. The plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight of root, and fresh and dry weight of shoot of S. lycopersicum were measured 30 and 60 days post inoculation (dpi) to assess the influence of the fungus on plant growth. Endophytic colonization of different plant parts by the tested fungus was confirmed 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 dpi via a selective medium. Through morphological identification and DNA sequence alignment, we tested whether the endophytes isolated from S. lycopersicum were the inoculated strains. The content of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in S. lycopersicum leaves was determined 30 dpi in a bid to evaluate the effect on antioxidant enzyme activity.[Results] C. cateniannulata colonized S. lycopersicum seedlings and promoted the plant growth. At all the five sampling time points, the colonization rate was in the order of root>stem>leaf. C. cateniannulata significantly increased the activity of defense enzymes in S. lycopersicum leaves, as the activity of POD, CAT, and SOD was respectively 52.21%, 75.31%, and 158.59% higher than that of the control and MDA content was 35.15% down from the control.[Conclusion] Through seed inoculation, C. cateniannulata colonizes in roots, stems, and leaves of S. lycopersicum, promoting the seedling growth and enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activity. Thus, this fungus has good application prospects in field.