Effect of using Piriformospora indica and cadmium on some morphophysiological traits and concentration of nutrients of tomato in aeroponic system

Heavy metal stress is one of the most important factors limiting the growth and yield of plants in many parts of the world. The fungus Piriformospora indica, as a mycorrhizal endophytic fungus, stimulates the growth of many plant species and also increases the resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of P. indica on some morphophysiological parameters of tomato plant under Cd stress. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. Experimental treatments included control, plant inoculated with P. indica and 3 mgl-1 Cd, plant uninoculated and 3 mgl-1 Cd, plant inoculated with P. indica and 6 mgl-1 Cd and plant uninoculated and 6 mgl-1 Cd. The results showed that with the increase in concentrations of Cd, leaf number, plant height, root length, root fresh and dry weights, total fresh and dry weights and photosynthetic pigments showed a downward trend and indicated the effective role of this fungus in improving the characteristics of tomato plant under Cd stress conditions. According to these results, it seems that the fungus in addition to colonization of tomato also has an effect on its improvement in Cd stress.