Effect of Some Micromycetes on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Sunflower [Articol]

Abstract

Seed-borne fungi are reported to cause seed rot, damping off, and other diseases at germination, leading to reduced seed viability and impaired seedling establishment. On the other hand, many endophyte seed-borne fungi have mutualistic symbiotic associations with plants by inducing tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this research, the influence of some fungi (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizopus arrhizus) on germination and early seedling development of sunflower under the artificially induced hydric stress was studied. Results revealed genotype-specific responses. Alternaria alternata significantly inhibited seed germination (up to-40%) and shoot growth across all genotypes, confirming its high virulence. In contrast, R. arrhizus and F. oxysporum showed moderate or stimulatory effects, especially on root elongation and biomass accumulation. Under hydric stress, some fungi (particularly R. arrhizus) increased shoot and root length, indicating a possible role in water stress tolerance. Further exploration of these fungal interactions is essential for elucidating their potential applications in agriculture, particularly in strategies aimed at enhancing crop resilience and productivity.