Endophytic Fusarium proliferatum Reprogrammed Phytohormone Production and Antioxidant System of Oryza sativa under Drought Stress

The aim of the current study was to isolate endophytes from roots Rhazya stricta and assess their potential improve growth drought-stressed sunflower seedlings. role isolated endophytic fungus initially screened by using two rice varieties (mutant cultivar Waito-C: Gibberellins deficient; Dongji byeo: Gibberellins-producing normal cultivar). A significant (p < 0.05) increase in various attributes both associated with one isolates i.e., N4 noticed. Furthermore, tested for its improving agronomic sunflowers under drought stress. symbiotic association significantly improved host protection PEG-induced mitigation N4-associated seedlings can be linked regulation phytohormones, stress-related metabolites, low-molecular-weight proteins sugars, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). Microscopic analysis revealed that potent fungal strain consisted thin hyaline hyphae, forming dense olive-green mycelia (4–5 cm dm) black flask-shaped fruiting bodies. Based on ITS sequence homology phylogeny, identified as Fusarium proliferatum (MG251448). results this concluded phytohormone-secreting endophyte crop productivity dry areas where stress is main challenge faced crops.