Root endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica and zinc attenuate cold stress in grapevine by influencing leaf phytochemicals and minerals content

The effects of Piriformospora indica (Pi) inoculation and zinc (Zn) soil- application on mitigation of cold stress in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv Sultana) plants were investigated. Fungal mycelium (1% w/v) suspension was added to each cutting and Zn (5.0 mg/l Zn-EDTA) applied to each pot every 15 day. At the end of experiment, half of the pots (control and Pi and Zn-treated vines) were subjected to 4 degrees C for 24 h. The remaining vines in each treatment group were kept at 24 degrees C. Cold stress (4 degrees C) markedly decrease leaf photosynthetic pigments and relative water content however, Pi and Zn resulted in higher stability of photosynthetic pigments and higher relative water content in treated vines compared to control vines. Cold stress increased leaf electrolyte leakage (EL), lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide contents in vines, whereas Pi colonization and Zn treatments considerably reduced their levels. Moreover, leaf superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase activities markedly increased in Pi- and Zn-treated vines under cold stress. Decreasing the temperature from 24 to 4 degrees C increased leaf abscisic acid (ABA), polyamines (PAs), soluble carbohydrate, proline, soluble proteins and total phenol content in all vines. However, vines treated with Pi + Zn showed marked increases in these compounds compared to control vines under cold stress. The leaf nutrient content of vines under low temperature stress decreased compared to those grown at 24 degrees C. However, this decrease in leaf nutrient was affected lesser in vines inoculated with Pi and Zn. Therefore, application of Pi and Zn allowed chilled vines to absorb higher nutrient during normal temperatures, enabling them to attenuate cold stress by increase in osmoregulants, antioxidant enzymes activity and plant growth regulators (ABA and PAs) in their tissues.

Automated summary

Inoculation with Piriformospora indica (Pi) and application of zinc (Zn) in soil showed positive effects in mitigating cold stress in grapevine plants, resulting in increased stability of photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzyme activity, and regulation of plant growth hormones. It allows chilled vines to absorb higher nutrients during normal temperatures, enabling them to attenuate cold stress through increase in osmoregulants, antioxidant enzymes activity, and plant growth regulators.