Determination of Plant Growth Enhancing Properties of Endophytic Fungi Obtained from Hypericum perforatum

Abstract

Plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) are non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer various physiological benefits to host plants and play a significant role in sustainable agricultural practices. With the increasing global demand for plant-based production, the use of PGPF is considered an environmentally friendly and effective strategy to enhance crop yield without causing ecological harm. In this study, endophytic fungi isolated from Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort) were evaluated for their plant growth-promoting potential through siderophore production, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis, phosphate solubilization, and ACC deaminase activity. In addition, the antimicrobial activities of these isolates were assessed against key plant and soil pathogens including Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. According to the results, the F3 isolate stood out with its high siderophore and IAA production, as well as strong antimicrobial activity. F16 and F7 demonstrated the highest ACC deaminase activity, while F9, F21, and F22 were positive for phosphate solubilization. Isolates F3, F7, and F5 exhibited strong inhibition against several pathogens, with F3 showing remarkable performance across all tested parameters. Furthermore, F9 and F10 isolates were also notable for their growth-promoting characteristics. These findings suggest that certain endophytic fungal isolates hold promise as biofertilizer candidates and could be effectively utilized in sustainable agriculture.

Keywords

• • St. John
• • PGPF
• • ACC-deaminase
• • IAA
• • Siderophore
• • Phosphate solubilization

Hypericum Perforatum’dan İzole Edilen Endofitik Fungusların Bitki Büyümesini Artırıcı Özelliklerinin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

Bitki büyümesini teşvik eden funguslar (PGPF), konukçu bitkilere çeşitli fizyolojik faydalar sağlayan, patojenik olmayan mikroorganizmalardır ve sürdürülebilir tarım uygulamalarında önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Artan bitkisel üretim talebini çevreye zarar vermeden karşılamak amacıyla PGPF’lerin kullanımı, çevre dostu ve etkili bir strateji olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Bu çalışmada, Hypericum perforatum (Sarı Kantaron) bitkisinden izole edilen endofitik fungusların bitki büyümesini destekleyici potansiyelleri; siderofor üretimi, indol-3-asetik asit (IAA) üretimi, fosfat çözünürlüğü ve ACC deaminaz aktivitesi parametreleri üzerinden incelenmiştir Bunun yanı sıra, bu izolatların patojenik Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus ve Klebsiella pneumoniae gibi mikroorganizmalara karşı antimikrobiyal aktiviteleri değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgulara göre, F3 izolatı hem yüksek siderofor ve IAA üretimi hem de yüksek antimikrobiyal aktiviteleri ile öne çıkmıştır. ACC deaminaz aktivitesinde F16 ve F7, fosfat çözünürlüğünde ise F9, F21 ve F22 izolatları pozitif sonuç vermiştir. F3, F7 ve F5 izolatları çeşitli patojenlere karşı güçlü inhibisyon gösterirken, özellikle F3 izolatı tüm parametrelerde dikkat çekici performans sergilemiştir. Ayrıca, F9 ve F10 izolatları da büyümeyi teşvik edici özellikleri ile öne çıkmıştır. Bu sonuçlar, bazı endofitik fungus izolatlarının biyogübre adayı olarak kullanılabileceğini ve sürdürülebilir tarımda değerlendirilebileceğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

• PGPF
• ACC-deaminaz
• IAA
• Siderofor
• Fosfat çözünürlüğü.
• • Sarı Kantaron

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