Root symbiotic fungi improve nitrogen transfer and morpho-physiological performance in <i>Chenopodium quinoa</i>

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorAlquichire-Rojas, Shirley
dc.contributor.authorEscobar, Elizabeth
dc.contributor.authorBascunan-Godoy, Luisa
dc.contributor.authorGonzalez-Teuber, Marcia
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-20T16:08:30Z
dc.date.available2025-01-20T16:08:30Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractRoot-associated fungal endophytes may facilitate nitrogen (N) absorption in plants, leading to benefits in photosynthesis and growth. Here, we investigated whether endophytic insect pathogenic fungi (EIPF) are capable of transferring soil N to the crop species Chenopodium quinoa. We evaluated nutrient uptake, carbon allocation, and morpho-physiological performance in C. quinoa in symbiosis with two different EIPF (Beauveria and Metarhizium) under contrasting soil N supply. A controlled experiment was conducted using two plant groups: (1) plants subjected to low N level (5 mM urea) and (2) plants subjected to high N level (15 mM urea). Plants from each group were then inoculated with different EIPF strains, either Beauveria (EIPF1+), Metarhizium (EIPF2+) or without fungus (EIPF-). Differences in N and C content, amino acids, proteins, soluble sugars, starch, glutamine synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and physiological (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration), and morphological performance between plant groups under each treatment were examined. We found that both Beauveria and Metarhizium translocated N from the soil to the roots of C. quinoa, with positive effects on photosynthesis and plant growth. These effects, however, were differentially affected by fungal strain as well as by N level. Additionally, an improvement in root C and sugar content was observed in presence of EIPF, suggesting translocation of carbohydrates from leaves to roots. Whereas both strains were equally effective in N transfer to roots, Beauveria seemed to exert less demand in C. quinoa for photosynthesis-derived carbohydrates compared to Metarhizium. Our study revealed positive effects of EIPF on N transfer and morpho-physiological performance in crops, highlighting the potential of these fungi as an alternative to chemical fertilizers in agriculture systems.
dc.description.funderANID Fondecyt
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.doi10.3389/fpls.2024.1386234
dc.identifier.issn1664-462X
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1386234
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/90083
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:001315388500001
dc.language.isoen
dc.revistaFrontiers in plant science
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectentomopathogenic fungi
dc.subjectnitrogen transfer
dc.subjectphotosynthesis
dc.subjectcarbon allocation
dc.subjectplant growth
dc.subjectsymbiosis
dc.subjectquinoa
dc.subject.ods02 Zero Hunger
dc.subject.odspa02 Hambre cero
dc.titleRoot symbiotic fungi improve nitrogen transfer and morpho-physiological performance in <i>Chenopodium quinoa</i>
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen15
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
Files
Collections
Artículos de revistas