<i>Trichoderma parareesei</i> Favors the Tolerance of Rapeseed (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.) to Salinity and Drought Due to a Chorismate Mutase

• Main Author: Jorge Poveda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-01-01
• Series: Agronomy
• Subjects: <i>trichoderma</i>; <i>brassica napus</i>; chorismate mutase; salinity
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/1/118

Both drought and salinity represent the greatest plant abiotic stresses in crops. Increasing plant tolerance against these environmental conditions must be a key strategy in the development of future agriculture. The genus of <i>Trichoderma</i> filament fungi includes several species widely used as biocontrol agents for plant diseases but also some with the ability to increase plant tolerance against abiotic stresses. In this sense, using the species <i>T. parareesei</i> and <i>T. harzianum</i>, we have verified the differences between the two after their application in rapeseed (<i>Brassica napus</i>) root inoculation, with <i>T. parareesei</i> being a more efficient alternative to increase rapeseed productivity under drought or salinity conditions. In addition, we have determined the role that <i>T. parareesei</i> chorismate mutase plays in its ability to promote tolerance to salinity and drought in plants by increasing the expression of genes related to the hormonal pathways of abscisic acid (ABA) under drought stress, and ethylene (ET) under salt stress.