Research in Plant Metabolites

Research in Plant Metabolites

Effect of Mycorrhizal Fungi and Rhizobium Bacteria on the Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes and Mineral Elements in Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus) under Drought Stress

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hamid Reza Shamsaee 1
Meysam Oveysi 2
Mohamad Nasri 3
Hamidreza Larijani 3
Hamidreza Tohidi moghadam 3
1 PhD student, Agrotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Varamin-Pishva Branch.
2 Faculty Member, Agrotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Varamin-Pishva Branch
3 Faculty Member, Islamic Azad University, Varamin Branch _ Pishva
10.22034/jrpsm.2025.517026.1065
Abstract
Drought stress is considered one of the most significant environmental factors reducing the growth and yield of many plants, especially in arid and semi-arid regions worldwide. Nowadays, using growth-promoting fungi and bacteria is an effective way to combat environmental stresses. This research was conducted over two years as a split-factorial experiment within a randomized complete block design. The main factor was drought levels (50, 80, and 110 mm based on a Class A evaporation pan), and the sub-factor was mycorrhizal fungi and Rhizobium bacteria (inoculation and non-inoculation, factorially arranged). The study was replicated four times, and the antioxidant activity and mineral content of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) were evaluated. The results showed that drought stress increased the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde enzymes. The application of fungi and bacteria significantly improved the measured indicators. Co-inoculation of seeds with mycorrhiza and Rhizobium significantly increased potassium at all drought stress levels and calcium under severe drought stress. Overall, the highest measured indicators under both control and drought stress conditions were observed in the treatments involving the use of bacteria and fungi. Fungi and bacteria can induce tolerance in plants against drought conditions. Since this method is less costly than other approaches, it can be recommended for increasing yield in areas facing stress conditions.
Keywords
Biofertilizers
Catalase
Malondialdehyde
Mineral elements
Superoxide dismutase