<italic>Piriformospora indica</italic> Mediated Amelioration of Salt Stress in <italic>Solanum melongena</italic> L. Plants under Greenhouse- A Study on Stomatal Opening/Closure.

AbstractSalinity is a major abiotic stress that negatively affects agricultural land, significantly reducing crop yields. It alters the fundamental structure of the soil, causing a decrease in porosity, reduced aeration, and impaired water movement. <italic>Piriformospora indica</italic>, multifaceted fungi can enhance plant tolerance under abiotic stress conditions. The present study examined the effects of <italic>Piriformospora indica</italic> on the growth of <italic>Solanum melongena</italic> L. under saline conditions in a greenhouse, assessing parameters such as proline accumulation, lipid peroxidation, chlorophyll content, stomatal behavior, antioxidant activity, and phenotypic traits under salt stress Results of the present study showed significant improvement in phenotypic traits of <italic>Piriformospora indica</italic> colonized plants under saline conditions. <italic>Solanum melongena</italic> L. plants treated with 200 mM NaCl had swollen, deformed guard cells and closed stomata, while colonized plants maintained normal stomatal structure and their stomata remained open. Additionally, untreated plants exhibited higher malondialdehyde levels, indicating greater lipid peroxidation, while <italic>Piriformospora indica</italic>-colonized plants showed reduced oxidative damage, increased chlorophyll content, and enhanced peroxidase activity under saline conditions. The salt tolerance mediated by <italic>Piriformospora indica</italic> likely involves lipid desaturation, activation of antioxidant enzymes to counter reactive oxygen species, enhanced metabolism, improved nutrient uptake, proline accumulation, and increased phytohormone production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]