Ameliorative effects of Trichoderma harzianum on monocot crops under hydroponic saline environment

Ameliorative effects of Trichoderma harzianum (Th-6) on monocot crops under saline environment using hydroponic system were examined. Both rice and maize seeds were coated with T. harzianum (Th-6) and used for the saline and non-saline treatment. Germination and seedling growth performance were studied. T. harzianum (Th-6)-treated seeds showed constantly faster and more uniform germination as compared to untreated seeds. Moreover, seeds treated with Trichoderma improved plants' growth and physiological performance under hydroponic saline environment compared to control. The treatments showed higher relative water content (RWC), dark-adapted quantum yield (F-v/F-m ratio), performance index (PIABS), photochemical quenching (q(P)), stomatal conductance (g(s)), pigments concentrations and antioxidant enzymes as compared to untreated saline environment. Application of endophyte inhibited the Na+ and Cl- ion uptake in leaves when plants were exposed to saline environment. However, H2O2 contents of both treated crops declined under hydroponic salt stress environment. Physiological mechanism of T. harzianum (Th-6) application in mitigating the salt-related consequences of both monocot crops was discussed.