<i>Aspergillus niger</i> Fermentation Broth Promotes Maize Germination and Alleviates Low Phosphorus Stress
<i>Aspergillus niger</i> is a type of soil fungus with the ability to dissolve insoluble phosphate and secrete organic metabolites such as citric acid. However, whether cell-free <i>Aspergillus niger</i> fermentation broth (AFB) promotes maize growth and alleviates low-phosph...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/11/7/1737 |
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| author | Maoxian Tian Changhui Zhang Zhi Zhang Tao Jiang Xiaolan Hu Hongbo Qiu Zhu Li |
| author_facet | Maoxian Tian Changhui Zhang Zhi Zhang Tao Jiang Xiaolan Hu Hongbo Qiu Zhu Li |
| author_sort | Maoxian Tian |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Aspergillus niger</i> is a type of soil fungus with the ability to dissolve insoluble phosphate and secrete organic metabolites such as citric acid. However, whether cell-free <i>Aspergillus niger</i> fermentation broth (AFB) promotes maize growth and alleviates low-phosphorus stress has not been reported. In this study, we explored their relationship through a hydroponics system. The results indicated that either too low or too high concentrations of AFB may inhibit seed germination potential and germination rate. Under low phosphorus conditions, all physiological indexes (biomass, soluble sugar content, root length, etc.) increased after AFB was applied. A qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of the <i>EXPB4</i> and <i>KRP1</i> genes, which are involved in root development, was upregulated, while the expression of the <i>CAT2</i> and <i>SOD9</i> genes, which are keys to the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, was downregulated. The expression of <i>LOX3</i>, a key gene in lipid peroxidation, was down-regulated, consistent with changes in the corresponding enzyme activity. These results indicate that the application of AFB may alleviate the oxidative stress in maize seedlings, reduce the oxidative damage caused by low P stress, and enhance the resistance to low P stress in maize seedlings. In addition, it reveals the potential of <i>A. niger</i> to promote growth and provides new avenues for research on beneficial plant-fungal interactions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:48:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-085c8a3c856541bab3ed187883b17f6a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:48:29Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-085c8a3c856541bab3ed187883b17f6a2023-11-18T20:35:45ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072023-07-01117173710.3390/microorganisms11071737<i>Aspergillus niger</i> Fermentation Broth Promotes Maize Germination and Alleviates Low Phosphorus StressMaoxian Tian0Changhui Zhang1Zhi Zhang2Tao Jiang3Xiaolan Hu4Hongbo Qiu5Zhu Li6College of Agricultural, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaCollege of Agricultural, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaCollege of Agricultural, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaCollege of Agricultural, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaCollege of Agricultural, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaCollege of Agricultural, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China<i>Aspergillus niger</i> is a type of soil fungus with the ability to dissolve insoluble phosphate and secrete organic metabolites such as citric acid. However, whether cell-free <i>Aspergillus niger</i> fermentation broth (AFB) promotes maize growth and alleviates low-phosphorus stress has not been reported. In this study, we explored their relationship through a hydroponics system. The results indicated that either too low or too high concentrations of AFB may inhibit seed germination potential and germination rate. Under low phosphorus conditions, all physiological indexes (biomass, soluble sugar content, root length, etc.) increased after AFB was applied. A qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of the <i>EXPB4</i> and <i>KRP1</i> genes, which are involved in root development, was upregulated, while the expression of the <i>CAT2</i> and <i>SOD9</i> genes, which are keys to the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, was downregulated. The expression of <i>LOX3</i>, a key gene in lipid peroxidation, was down-regulated, consistent with changes in the corresponding enzyme activity. These results indicate that the application of AFB may alleviate the oxidative stress in maize seedlings, reduce the oxidative damage caused by low P stress, and enhance the resistance to low P stress in maize seedlings. In addition, it reveals the potential of <i>A. niger</i> to promote growth and provides new avenues for research on beneficial plant-fungal interactions.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/11/7/1737<i>Aspergillus niger</i> fermentation brothmaizegerminationgene expressionlow phosphorus stress |
| spellingShingle | Maoxian Tian Changhui Zhang Zhi Zhang Tao Jiang Xiaolan Hu Hongbo Qiu Zhu Li <i>Aspergillus niger</i> Fermentation Broth Promotes Maize Germination and Alleviates Low Phosphorus Stress Microorganisms <i>Aspergillus niger</i> fermentation broth maize germination gene expression low phosphorus stress |
| title | <i>Aspergillus niger</i> Fermentation Broth Promotes Maize Germination and Alleviates Low Phosphorus Stress |
| title_full | <i>Aspergillus niger</i> Fermentation Broth Promotes Maize Germination and Alleviates Low Phosphorus Stress |
| title_fullStr | <i>Aspergillus niger</i> Fermentation Broth Promotes Maize Germination and Alleviates Low Phosphorus Stress |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Aspergillus niger</i> Fermentation Broth Promotes Maize Germination and Alleviates Low Phosphorus Stress |
| title_short | <i>Aspergillus niger</i> Fermentation Broth Promotes Maize Germination and Alleviates Low Phosphorus Stress |
| title_sort | i aspergillus niger i fermentation broth promotes maize germination and alleviates low phosphorus stress |
| topic | <i>Aspergillus niger</i> fermentation broth maize germination gene expression low phosphorus stress |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/11/7/1737 |
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