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An endophytic fungus was tested in rice (Oryza sativa L.) exposed to four levels of lead (Pb) stress (0, 50, 100 and 200 μM) to assess effects on plant growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme activity. Under Pb stress conditions, endophyte-infected seedlings had greater shoot length but lower root length compared to non-infected controls, and endophyte-infected seedlings had greater dry weight in the 50 and 100 μM Pb treatments. Under Pb stress conditions, chlorophyll and carotenoid levels were significantly higher in the endophyte-infected seedlings. Net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and water use efficiency were significantly higher in endophyte-infected seedlings in the 50 and 100 μM Pb treatments. In addition, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo were higher in the infected seedlings compared to the non-infected seedlings under Pb stress. Malondialdehyde accumulation was induced by Pb stress, and it was present in higher concentration in non-infected seedlings under higher concentrations of Pb (100 and 200 μM). Antioxidant activity was either higher or unchanged in the infected seedlings due to responses to the different Pb concentrations. These results suggest that the endophytic fungus improved rice growth under moderate Pb levels by enhancing photosynthesis and antioxidant activity relative to non-infected rice., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Endophyte infected and uninfected seedlings of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were subjected to five different levels of Na(2)CO(3) for 2 weeks. Under both Na(2)CO(3) stress as well as no stress, endophyte-infected plants were higher for above-ground dry weight and shoot length, but lower for root length compared to non-infected controls, and there was no significant difference for below-ground dry weight. Chlorophylls and carotenoid contents, net photosynetic rate, transpiration rate, catalase and peroxidase activities increased, but malondialdehyde content declined in the infected plants compared to non-infected controls under Na(2)CO(3) stress. Compared to non-infected controls, water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F(v)/F(m), F(v)/F(o)) and superoxide dismutase activity in infected plants increased under high concentrations of Na(2)CO(3) while there was no significant difference under low concentrations of Na(2)CO(3). Endophyte infection was concluded to be beneficial to the growth and antioxidative mechanisms in Oryza sativa under Na(2)CO(3) stress., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Endophyte infected and uninfected seedlings of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were subjected to five different levels of Na2CO3 for 2 weeks. Under both Na2CO3 stress as well as no stress, endophyte-infected plants were higher for above-ground dry weight and shoot length, but lower for root length compared to non-infected controls, and there was no significant difference for below-ground dry weight. Chlorophylls and carotenoid contents, net photosynetic rate, transpiration rate, catalase and peroxidase activities increased, but malondialdehyde content declined in the infected plants compared to non-infected controls under Na2CO3 stress. Compared to non-infected controls, water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F v /F m, F v /F o) and superoxide dismutase activity in infected plants increased under high concentrations of Na2CO3 while there was no significant difference under low concentrations of Na2CO3. Endophyte infection was concluded to be beneficial to the growth and antioxidative mechanisms in Oryza sativa under Na2CO3 stress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hydroponic experiments were carried out to study the role of oligochitosan in enhancing wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) resistance to salt stress. Data were collected on plant biomass, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate ( P), stomatal conductance ( g), proline content, antioxidant enzyme activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Under 150 mM salt stress, plant growth was significantly inhibited. Shoot length, root length, and dry weight were sharply reduced by 26%, 31%, and 20%, respectively, of the control. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) were increased by 28%, 13%, and 26%, respectively, of the control and MDA content largely accumulated, which was 1.5-fold of the control. However, 0.0625% oligochitosan pretreatment alleviated the adverse effects of salt stress, which was reflected by increasing root length, shoot length, dry weight, chlorophyll content, P and g. Furthermore, it also showed that oligochitosan pretreatment significantly increased antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT and POD) activities, and reduced MDA content in leaves. Meanwhile, the accumulation of proline was markedly accelerated. The results indicated that oligochitosan pretreatment ameliorated the adverse effects and partially protected the seedlings from salt stress during the following growth period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]