Trichoderma, an endophytic fungus isolated from Codonopsis pilosula,
promotes plant growth and active ingredient accumulation
Abstract
Fungal endophytes from medicinal plants have the potential to promote
plant growth and the accumulation of active ingredients via different
mechanisms. In this study, an endophytic fungus was isolated from the
roots of Codonopsis pilosula, and was identified as Trichoderma strain
RHTA01 based on morphological analysis, fatty acid composition, Fourier
infrared spectroscopy and molecular analysis. The strain exhibited good
plant growth promoting capacity. In C. pilosula plants inoculated with
Trichoderma strain RHTA01, the plant defense system, total chlorophyll
content and root activity were enhanced, and levels of antioxidant
enzymes, non-enzymatic ingredients and single molecules including nitric
oxide (NO), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2) were up-regulated in different tissues (Root, Stem and
Leave). Activities of enzymes involved in polysaccharide and Lobetyolin
biosynthesis were up-regulated, thus increasing their accumulation in C.
pilosula plants. The function of endophytic fungi was further clarified
by structural equation modeling (SEM). Overall, our results provide a
strong foundation for further investigation of the interaction between
endophytic fungi and plants.