Antarctic endophytic fungi modulate plant transcriptome to enhance
physiological and biochemical performance of strawberry plants (Fragaria
x ananassa) under drought and high temperatures.
Abstract
Climate change poses a direct threat to food security, with global
warming leading to detrimental droughts that affect plant development
and agricultural productivity. This study focused on the symbiotic
relationship between plants and microorganisms, known for their pivotal
role in plant adaptation to environmental stress. Strawberry plants (
Fragaria x ananassa) were inoculated with two endophytic fungi,
Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium brevicompactum,
isolated from Antarctic plants. Greenhouse experiments showed that
inoculated plants had better water retention, photosynthesis, and
reduced proline content and lipid peroxidation. Inoculation also boosted
antioxidant activity and overall antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, a
transcriptomics and cis element/transcription factor analysis
revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to abscisic acid
(ABA) signaling, such as dehydrins, and genes related to cellular
water homeostasis such as aquaporins. The DEGs suggested an enhanced
response to water stress, providing molecular insights of the potential
mechanisms involved into the improved physiological performance of
inoculated plants under drought and high-temperature conditions. The
study underscores the importance of these molecular responses in
establishing a resilient symbiotic relationship between plants and
Antarctic microorganisms, offering promising avenues for further
understanding and harnessing adaptive mechanisms to mitigate the impact
of climate change on crop productivity.