The effect of endophytic fungi on growth and nickel accumulation in Noccaea hyperaccumulators

The role of endophytic fungi isolated from different populations European Ni hyperaccumulators was investigated in regard to the microorganisms' ability enhance hyperaccumulation Noccaea caerulescens. Effects particular species on adaptation N. caerulescens excess were tested by co-cultivation with single strains fungi. Seven these had a positive effect plant biomass production, whereas two inhibited growth; production inoculated plants significantly compared non-inoculated control. Inoculation six fungal strains: Embellisia thlaspis, Pyrenochaeta cava, Phomopsis columnaris, Plectosphaerella cucumerina, Cladosporium cladosporioides and Alternaria sp. stimulated uptake accumulate more both roots shoots, P. columnaris all sampled. Strains goesingensis increased root shoot accumulation their native hosts (compared control). foreign origin did not cause its host Ni, exception Ni-unadapted ecotype goesingensis. improved uptake, but fungus as prominent case By comparing transcriptomes Flatz we showed that enhanced is accompanied an upregulation several genes mainly involved stress protection metal compartmentation.