Genotype-specific modulation of drought tolerance by arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in foxtail millet.

ABSTRACT: Drought stress is a major environmental factor limiting crop productivity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), as beneficial soil microbes, can improve plant growth and stress resilience; however, the effectiveness of this symbiosis is often influenced by the host plant's genetic background. In this study, we investigated the interaction between AM symbiosis and drought tolerance in two foxtail millet (Setaria italica) accessions with contrasting drought responses: the drought-tolerant ISE42 and the drought-sensitive TT8. Following a 14-day drought treatment, both accessions exhibited wilting, but AMF-colonized plants reduced malondialdehyde accumulation, indicating alleviated oxidative stress. Notably, only colonized ISE42 plants recovered upon rewatering. Although AMF colonization

SUBMITTER: Chang OC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12668936 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature