A <i>Trichoderma hamatum</i> Biostimulant Modulates Physiology and Gene Expression to Enhance Lettuce Salt Tolerance.

ABSTRACT: Soil salinity is a major constraint on global agricultural productivity. This study evaluated the efficacy of a cell-free extract from Trichoderma hamatum (designated BEYF) in enhancing salt stress tolerance in lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Lettuce plants under normal and salt-stressed conditions exposed to 200 mM NaCl were treated with either water or YF (the working solution of BEYF) at concentrations of 0.05, 0.10, and 0.25 mg/L. Compared to the control, YF application significantly improved plant growth under salt stress, as indicated by increased plant height, biomass, leaf area, and other agronomic traits. Physiologically, YF mitigated oxidative membrane damage, as indicated by reduced electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, while promoting the accumulation o

SUBMITTER: Zhan X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12939872 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature