Harnessing power of fungal endophytes that enhance plants to tolerate abiotic stress
K. DASTOGEER (1), H. Li (1), K. Sivasithamparam (1), M. Jones (1), S. Wylie (1) (1) Murdoch University, Australia

Mutualistic fungal endophytes living asymptomatically within plants can have profound impacts on growth and eco-physiology of their host, which may be particularly important under conditions of stress. Drought is one of the critical abiotic stressors for plant growth that affect crop yield worldwide and it is projected that climate change in the coming decades will escalate the occurrence of catastrophic weather events leading to more severe and frequent droughts. A number of endophytes have been reported to enhance plant tolerance to water stress but most of the studies have focused on the effect on clavicipitaceous species in grasses. There is less knowledge on the roles of non-clavicipitaceous endophytes in host fitness and adaptation and the underlying mechanisms of these interactions. In this study, we isolated and identified microbial endophyte species from wild plant species in arid regions of northern Australia, and determine how they influence plant responses to abiotic stresses. We inoculated endophytes onto N. benthamiana seedlings to test if their presence mediated response to simulated drought in vitro and in glasshouse environments. Some endophytes improved survival under drought challenge in both environments. Work is underway to determine metabolic responses to water stress in the presence and absence of endophytes. 

Abstract Number: P9-250
Session Type: Poster