Project description:Numerous non-mycorrhizal fungi have been reported to form close symbiotic relationships with plants. These tight mutual relationships can provide physiological benefits to the interacting organisms, including the improvement of nutrient assimilation or enhanced stress tolerance. The root-colonizing fungus Penicillium sp. strain D7 has been isolated from roots of Digitalis thapsi L. that were grown on the As-rich tailings of the Mónica mine in Bustaviejo, Spain. Here, we report the promotion of plant biomass production and stress tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana L. plants inoculated with D7. The comparative analysis of the effect of mock- and D7-inoclulated wild-type Arabidopsis plants (Col-0) in the absence and presence of arsenite As(III) stress conditions (15 µM NaAsO2). Our data provide evidence for a profound effect of D7 on As(III) detoxification through the activation of a regulatory network that includes several plant hormones. In addition, fungus inoculation resulted in a significant induction of As sequestration in the root, which allowed for an enhanced shoot growth under As(III) stress conditions.
